Well folks, we have officially hit the wall as far as relevant news goes for the Bluegrass Hoops Report. The beginning of football season always marks a slow period in the prep basketball-news category. And since I know the lack of posts is just killing all of you loyal BHR readers out there, I decided to venture away from the Kentucky high school basketball stuff and do a little “State of the Program” for the top college programs from the state of Kentucky.
WESTERN KENTUCKY
’07-08 Record: 29-7
Returning Contributors: Sr. PG Orlando Mendez-Valdez, Sr. PF Matt Maresca, Jr. SG A.J. Slaughter, Sr. C Japeth Aguilar, Sr. F Mike Walker, Jr. F Jeremy Evans, So. G/F Steffphon Pettigrew, So. PF D.J. Magley
Newcomers: Fr. SG Jameson Tipping, Fr. PG Robbie Townsend, Jr. SG Anthony Sally, So. SG Sergio Kerusch
Recruiting Class of 2009: No commitments.
State of the program: It’s really hard to say where the Hilltoppers are headed following their Cinderella Sweet-16 run last year. With the departures of superstar Courtney Lee, big shot ESPY Award winner Ty Rogers (photo ^), speedy PG Tyrone Brazleton, and big man Boris Siakam to graduation, not to mention the loss of Coach Darrin Horn to South Carolina, Western obviously has some rebuilding to do. The only real contributors returning from last year’s team are seniors PG Orlando Mendez-Valdez and PF Matt Maresca. All of the Hilltoppers’ newcomers are relative unknowns, and their 2009 class is yet to receive a commitment. I expect a sub-par year by WKU’s standards, but I truly believe that this is a program that can only be down for so long. WKU has had continual success throughout the last century, and I think new coach Ken McDonald can get the ‘Toppers back on top of the Hill that is the Sun Belt Conference sooner rather than later.
