Jim Pickens

1 week ago | sports.yahoo.com | Jim Pickens

Western Kentucky continued to be a prominent player in the Football Bowl Subdivision last season, winning eight games, reaching the Conference USA championship game, and playing in a bowl game for the sixth consecutive season under head coach Tyson Helton. For the Hilltoppers to remain relevant in 2025, Helton and Co. will have to do so with a wealth of new players — having been hit hard by those wishing to enter the NCAA transfer portal and by a host of graduated senior standouts.

3 weeks ago | messenger-inquirer.com | Jim Pickens

Things did not go as planned for the Western Kentucky men's basketball team in 2024-25 under first-year head coach Hank Plona -- a year after Steve Lutz directed the Hilltoppers to the NCAA Tournament in his one and only season on the Hill before departing for Oklahoma State.

3 weeks ago | sports.yahoo.com | Jim Pickens

Things did not go as planned for the Western Kentucky men’s basketball team in 2024-25 under first-year head coach Hank Plona — a year after Steve Lutz directed the Hilltoppers to the NCAA Tournament in his one and only season on the Hill before departing for Oklahoma State.

3 weeks ago | sports.yahoo.com | Jim Pickens

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 is upon us, and while it wouldn’t be fair or accurate to term the event the Southeastern Conference Invitational, it’s mighty tempting to do so. The SEC features a record seven teams among the 16 still standing in the Big Dance — that’s roughly 44% of the remaining field — and at least four should be considered upper-tier candidates to win it all (and, at this point, take your pick as to which four).

4 weeks ago | messenger-inquirer.com | Jim Pickens

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 is upon us, and while it wouldn’t be fair or accurate to term the event the Southeastern Conference Invitational, it’s mighty tempting to do so. The SEC features a record seven teams among the 16 still standing in the Big Dance — that’s roughly 44% of the remaining field — and at least four should be considered upper-tier candidates to win it all (and, at this point, take your pick as to which four).