February 22, 2024 • 63 mins
This week, “Colonel” Stewart is joined by “Mad” Matt McCay, resident writer and analyst, as we bring you the longest-running podcast following WKU athletics.
On the latest episode, we discuss the Malachi Corley Draft Stock, Baseball and Softball updates, discuss the Lady Tops slumps and chances against Middle, and Men’s basketball’s has four games left till CUSA Tourney Time.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Devin Stewart (00:02):
Welcome into another red out podcast my name's Devin. We got Matt in the studio. How's it going, Buddy?
Matt McCay (00:07):
What's up? Dude?
Devin Stewart (00:09):
Not a lot, not a lot got a lot to talk about, and it's a big week for Western.
Why is that? It's middle week?
Matt McCay (00:19):
Oh, yeah.
Devin Stewart (00:20):
beat middle cause they suck
honestly like
like it sounds bad. But like basketball, it's kinda decent still, but football. It's
it's turned into a holiday that like like Thanksgiving.
like, I'm sure, for the Pilgrims. That was a big deal. but like nowadays like, who cares about middle right?
Matt McCay (00:45):
Right? We have corn, you know. We don't need to celebrate. You can go to the grocery store and get corn. Yeah.
Devin Stewart (00:52):
they've got sweet potatoes, which, by the way, whoever started calling those yams.
I have no idea. I that was one thing somebody say, yeah, somebody said yams one time, and I was like.
and then I'll and then I was like, Well, do you wanna yam? And I was like, no, I don't like yams. and it's like, Oh, well, wait a second.
(01:16):
Do you want a sweet potato. And I'm like, Well, yeah, I'll take a sweet potato, and it's like, but that's the same thing like after I looked up I was like holy crap. It is the same thing.
Matt McCay (01:25):
Yeah, I don't know, Buddy. And I think that's a North South thing.
Devin Stewart (01:29):
I think we should investigate that further. But anyway
so let's jump into it, do I?
Matt McCay (01:35):
So go ahead, Buddy. I'll find a documentary on yams and such Malika corely
Devin Stewart (02:00):
he is news. Yams are not news.
so you know, he's he's potentially going to the draft. I'm assuming 100. But we'll just say potential but what do you think, as far as his draft stocks concerned, how is Malika going to do in the draft?
Matt McCay (02:17):
Yeah. Well, II think it's I mean, barring epic disaster. He's gonna get drafted.
Devin Stewart (02:26):
He's consensus.
Matt McCay (02:29):
Top 100 pick and a lot of people have him going. There's a few people that say somebody might reach for him in the first round. I don't know that'll happen.
that like, he said. He's been in a couple of
kind of extreme draft takes like way up into the first round, so I don't know if that'll happen, but I definitely think he'll be. He likely could be drafted
(02:55):
by the second round, and then certainly by the third he he seems like like he had Steve Smith
talking about him from the guy, from the panthers. He had some other. He's had some other outlets
actively talking about them. Mel Piper likes, and whatever so it seems like there's a lot of momentum for them.
You still have the combine you still have pro day. and then you still have the draft process and all the interviews and stuff.
(03:20):
So there's a it's a long way to go, but as long as he doesn't have like an epic disaster, you know, like he just ends up having like 5 inch hands or
you know, has a vertical where he trips on the phone book. I mean.
you know, he he's probably gonna be okay, and he should be drafted pretty high.
Devin Stewart (03:41):
Yeah, I mean, II would expect at least I mean, everything I'm seeing is second round, and I would think that's a very definite possibility. I don't know.
We talked about it about a week or so so ago that that
Oh, it's wind blowing
Mr. Lamp went at 38. If I'm not mistaken. Is that right?
Matt McCay (04:05):
Yeah, it was. yeah. Something like that. 38, 39 something.
Devin Stewart (04:11):
If he did, if he got in there that's awesome for a wide receiver. I mean it's
he's I mean. He's a great young man, great, you know. Great caliber athlete, and I think he'll do well in the League.
you know, and he's just starting out, so will he start right away? I don't think so. I mean, it would be very rare for that to happen, but
(04:32):
you know he could end up.
you know, second string practice squad and then moving up to a team. I don't know. It's a lot of. So if he's drafted that high, he's not going to be pro practice squad is too much money, put in. I agree. Yeah, these top 3, like he's guaranteed a contract, and he's guaranteed
Matt McCay (04:54):
4 years
unless they cut him, and then they still have to pay. He's guaranteed money. If he's
a top 3
big. So
I mean we'll we'll see. But I mean, like I was looking at pro football network. It says quarterly grades out as a top 64. Prospect in the 2024 Nfl. Draft
(05:16):
who could fill top 50 consideration from teams needing a weapon at the wide receiver position round. One may be a bit rich, considering the projection required.
Blah blah, but in the right offense he has game breaking potential. So I mean that kind of sums it up pretty well. I think it's like somebody could reach and get him in the first round. That will be kind of a crazy pick. Everybody, everybody will be like, what? Seriously, are you sure about that? But it's possible down to, you know, he could slip he's he's undersized. He's from Western.
(05:50):
you know. There's gonna be some people that underestimate him, too, so he could slip into the third round. So.
But it seems like the guys, and possibly he could be a free agent.
Hmm, yeah.
Devin Stewart (06:03):
possibly. And it's honestly, from what I've heard from athletes who have been free agents. Free agency is the best thing, because
at that point you are wind and dined and shown the red carpet, and everybody's trying to woo you. Is it ideal. No, like him getting drafted would be ideal depending on the team.
(06:26):
But
and I'm reaching. I'm really reaching here, cause you know, draft stock is not my cup of tea.
but I know I know his athleticism is at the potential that he's really good.
Matt McCay (06:40):
If he was, if he was projecting like 5, 6, 7.
Well, like like Austin, read is somebody that maybe gets drafted, probably doesn't.
If you're in the seventh round you'd almost rather be a free agent, but if you get like like Higby was drafted early enough, iggy, Forrest lamp, Taiwan Taylor. All them were drafted in the first 4 rounds, and so they're guaranteed
(07:08):
spots with whatever team, even if it's crappy team, they're guaranteed to get a spot for a few years, and so if if he if he's projecting like
he almost definitely should not be left after the third round. It's gonna be good for him wherever he goes. He's gonna be guaranteed to get a shot.
Obviously. you know, Kansas City versus freaking
(07:32):
while I'm a Titans fan going to Tennessee may not be the best option form, because they don't develop receivers. but you know, I mean.
nonetheless, I mean, who who knows where where he ends up? But I think he seems like he's on the right track. He's going somewhere. He's gonna be drafted pretty high.
(07:54):
barring entry, basically.
Devin Stewart (07:57):
honestly. And you're gonna be like, of course, you say that green Bay would be the best place for him to land. Weather. Wise it's not. It's as bad as the bills. It's cold, it's all get out, you know, but
And and I'm speaking more for quarterbacks, more so than like quad receivers. But as far as like development and everything goes, I always feel like Green Bay's players are more developed
(08:22):
than Dallas. Dallas always seems like the. And I'm gonna get some hate for this, and that's fine. The trailer Parker for Hs teams
like, you know. like there's always something in the news like they got arrested or some other stuff happened. And
(08:43):
you know, whenever something's going on, you're you're always looking at your window going. What are they doing now?
Matt McCay (08:49):
It's like, oh, he must have cheated! She threw his clothes out on the yard again.
Devin Stewart (08:54):
I hope she lit him on fire. He must have been doing something bad like. It's always some dysfunctional thing with Dallas. And yes, I do. I am hating on Dallas because I got family who loves Dallas so.
But yeah, I wish him luck of everything goes well with Matt for Mr. Corley, and I hope you know
I wish him all the best. I hope he gets drafted, and I hope the team is a good team that will be able to
(09:19):
give him the
learning that he needs for the you know, coming weeks, for before he starts, you know, before he starts playing. And Nfl. You know. And so he actually retains a spot. And
hey, worst case, he gets drafted and he makes money. So that's always great.
So softball and I'll share. I'm gonna share a couple. I just realized that I goofed
(09:44):
and did not include a couple of screen of
I didn't do a couple of slides for the
Matt McCay (09:56):
was softball.
Devin Stewart (09:58):
No, I missed New Mexico State, actually, which is stupid. I missed it on both boys and girls, so I'll do this real quick. Western went down to Chattanooga and and participated in their little tournament they had down there.
and in the Chattahoochee choo, choo tournament and so last week, on the Sixteenth Western had a double header lost to North Alabama first game lost to Chattanooga, and of course, that Chattanooga game was.
(10:25):
you know, 5 innings, so possibly the girls could have came back on that one I don't know.
And then they played on the seventeenth, which was Saturday, Saturday, North Alabama. They actually beat them that time, and then they played Murray state and beat them 2, and then then they beat ball state 6 to 4.
(10:46):
So you know the lady tops are doing really well, as far as that goes. Hold on! Get this off.
and then one real quick thing, for lady tops will cover their upcoming.
which, by the way, like this, is what wears me out with baseball and softball like I've got like 6 pages of games that they've got to play in a week, and I'm like, good Lord!
(11:09):
I believe they've got the hilltopper invitational, or whatever it's called this week.
So on Friday they've got a
a game at 3 pm. At the Wk. Use softball complex, all of these, except the local one, as it says on the notes here are at the softball complex. So Friday they played Detroit Mercy and St. Louis, and then on the on Saturday they will play Eastern Illinois and Detroit mercy again.
(11:38):
and then the 20 Fifth they'll play. They'll play St. Louis.
which, by the way, I looked up St. Louis's Mascot because I did not know what that was. It's called a
apparently it's a mythological creature that if you rub its belly. It's good luck.
and then next Tuesday they will play Louisville. Obviously at Louvok. Is Louisville incoming down here. Devin? Will you be coming down to rub the bellies of the St. Louis Billicans
(12:03):
depends off their heart, I mean. No, no, no, not. I'm not admitting that on here.
It's good to see that the softball team is growing and doing well with what they're
doing. Well, you know, obviously, you know, being able to overcome North Alabama and not allowing them to sweep them in. That little invitational tournament thing is really good news.
(12:28):
Yeah, overall 6, 6, 3 and one. Right? So I mean, yes, and they actually beat that off the list. Did I say that one on there? Oh.
yeah. So that was and they also beat ball state on. I don't know where I'm at. I'm crazy, anyway. But they also beat ball state
(12:49):
6 to 4, so I don't. And I was actually doing the upcoming ones. I'm crazy.
So
yeah. So it's always good to see Western doing well there. So
yes, I feel like I just had a stroke. I just forgot I was like, did I talk about the ball state game?
(13:10):
I don't even know if I did or not, but I do have it in my notes.
but for some reason, like, when I do the the Powerpoints, to make these into images, if I don't have, if like, if I've got the if I go to save it and it it doesn't save quite right, like it'll leave out a whole swath of information, and I'm like it's there.
(13:35):
If you were the Ncaa Selection Committee at the end of the year, and you saw a power 5 tie for the Western Kentucky
Matt McCay (13:46):
ladytopper's softball team. How would you view that portion of their resume
Devin Stewart (13:53):
favorably?
Kansas? I thought it was. Kinda
it is funny. It is funny they type with Kansas, which was cool, but like I like, I like we talked about last last week. I don't know anything about softball.
Matt McCay (14:11):
so like Kansas and softball team could be playing in a parking lot. For all I know.
Devin Stewart (14:17):
they got a they didn't even get them a field. They just got a parking lot that they play, at, which I highly doubt.
I've been to those kind of facilit, those
those schools I have been to Kansas, but I've been to those schools, those power fives, and they don't play in parking lots. Even the chess team plays like on mahogany tables. So
(14:37):
mahogany mahogany.
So baseball real quick. It's a softball sucks. 4, 5 and one just
yeah. Well.
they're improving hopefully. Everything will be going a lot better.
hopefully, soon there'll be
doing a lot better. Okay? So I've got baseball notes.
(15:03):
That's basketball baseball. Here we go. Okay. So
okay, so baseball played. They played Bradley. They had a series with them this weekend.
and the funny thing is, they played them last Friday, and then they played on
Matt McCay (15:19):
on. They had a double. Maybe they had a double header, or I'm did. Or my notes are, yeah, they had
Devin Stewart (15:27):
okay? So they had to do a double header. Okay? So they play Bradley, and they swept them
5, 2,
5, 2 on the sixteenth, 5 nil on the eighteenth Sunday, and then 5 to 3 on the second game. There, go ahead, Matt.
Matt McCay (15:42):
They actually sorry to call you out. They they did lose the first one. They lost the first game. Bradley. Yeah, they did.
Devin Stewart (15:50):
Okay?
Matt McCay (15:51):
Just so, you know, just for your well, that's great.
Devin Stewart (15:58):
Where were you earlier? Matt? Gosh.
Matt McCay (16:01):
I was. I was texting you the last hour roll of your next one. I'm Bradley. Okay? So Western is got a game
Devin Stewart (16:10):
in Bowling Green at against Purdue Fort Wayne. That's at 3 Pm. Central.
and then on Saturday, Saturday they'll play Purdue Fort Wayne.
It's a freaking blah blah! Blah! That's a double header. Yeah, it's it's a double header in this weekend series
so they'll start that at one Pm. And then they'll have another 4 Pm.
(16:31):
And then on Sunday they play at one Pm. Against Purdy Fort Wayne. All of those are on Espn. 1027. You can listen to those there and then. On Tuesday, the twenty-seventh Western is going to be playing Uk.
The University of Kentucky, 4 Pm. Central and Lexington. That's on the Sec network, or also 102.7 Espn radio.
(16:56):
so you can always check those out. Yes. So you know what
I will say after you said that they lost to Bradley. That makes a lot more sense. Why, everybody was up in arms the other day.
Matt McCay (17:10):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (17:11):
yeah, this isn't right. Dude.
Matt McCay (17:14):
Oh, wk, sports isn't right then.
I mean, it says they lost 2 to 5 to Bradley
there are 3. Yeah.
Devin Stewart (17:24):
Well, I'll tell you what it was. I will tell you exactly what it was.
I probably pulled it off of the results part
on the their little. When you click onto wk sports and then you go into baseball, it has it has it 5 to 2, and I guess I just in my brain. I was like, of course, we're not losing to them. And I switched. So
Matt McCay (17:47):
yeah, well, it was it was kind of
I mean, I was kinda like -oh, when they lost that first one. You know. It's like Bradley is not very good, whatever. You wanna start out. Well, anyway, they won the last 2, and then they beat Lipscomb sound like they were kind of experimenting with some pictures and stuff like that. So let me start 3 and one like you can't expect
(18:10):
perfection in baseball. So you know, you wanna series, ipf, W, well, actually, it's not ipf w it's it used to be. Apparently they split the school, whatever Purdue Fort Wayne is not very good at all. They were terrible. Last year I've got pulled up. They were like
13 and 43 last year.
(18:31):
so really bad and so Western hopefully can sweep that series and start out 7 and one at minimum 6 and 2 hopefully, you don't lose.
Devin Stewart (18:43):
I wanted to. II wanted to share this. I think, Matt, I think you shared it on Twitter or something
Detroit mercy and ui pooey.
Matt McCay (18:55):
So the University of Detroit mercy wins their first game of the season.
Devin Stewart (18:59):
and their lone fans stormed to the court. Which is the greatest thing in the history of the world.
Yeah. By the way, yeah, I think we we play their women's softball team. Isn't that the commitment? Yes, that's the next one we're playing still hilarious, though still hilarious.
Matt McCay (19:16):
Oh, good for goodness! That takes some guts.
Devin Stewart (19:18):
Honestly like I like, I could see that would be the Matt Mackay of Detroit. Mercy right there. Oh, definitely, 100, you yeah. Which actually, if you look at that little that screenshot it was like so there you go! There you go, man, it's got you!
(19:43):
II cried. Big time when we broke that street.
I mean it was I mean, I wasn't that emotional about it, but it was an emotional time, I mean, I understand. But the thing is, is like the atmosphere
around. The program was very lethargic at that point.
(20:03):
like, I remember, coaches like coaches prior and early in the season we're yelling and screaming, and then, when we get towards the end of the season, they were like, you know, who cares.
you know, I mean, they were still yelling and screaming at the players. But the energy was not the same.
Matt McCay (20:19):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (20:20):
it's like, we're, you know, we're
2 and 8, you know, whatever it's like, who cares?
And it's just like but
the funny thing for me! At the end of the season, alright, towards the end of that season was, Ellison would hang out in the training room some
like he started talking to like the trainers he's like, Hey, how are you doing? And I remember before that, like I wouldn't even say anything to him.
(20:46):
cause he'd just walk around. He's like, and you're like.
Okay, you know. Yeah, he's head coach like he complains that I wore a levash drafest t-shirt one day.
not even getting yeah, 'cause it had a bull on the front.
Matt McCay (21:02):
I didn't even think about. I didn't make the connection. I didn't make the connection to Texas or nothing. It says, leave our Strauss on it.
Devin Stewart (21:08):
And he said something to my boss, who
told me, hey? You can't wear college shirts, other college shirts. And I'm like this isn't a college shirt. It's a Jean brand. Well. we're a Western shirt. Okay.
You're paying for school, right? Okay.
anyway, that's my 2 cents. Alright. So something I hate more than being told what T-shirts to wear is Middle Tennessee.
Matt McCay (21:33):
Oh, yeah. So I mean.
Devin Stewart (21:39):
like, I'll tell you something.
We've got a lot, Matt. Between Matt. Now, we've got several stories about middle
like, currently I screwed up yesterday at work. And so I have a splinter in my thumb. Okay?
Matt McCay (21:56):
And I like it more than I like middle.
Devin Stewart (22:00):
I'm just saying like, and it hurts just to do stuff with my thumb right now. So
what stuff do you do normally do with your thumb that you can't. Now, Devin.
you know. Okay. Well, anyway,
I remember course.
(22:21):
favorite memory, probably, and and the middle rivalry. Rivalry means more to me, and I think at least our generation meant
because of the hatred between us when we first made the transition into comp. The end of the Sun Belt, and and all that, you know.
Bobby, rainy scoring and overtime, putting this over the top with storm in that field which I don't think you may end up in there that year.
Matt McCay (22:49):
Yeah. Well.
Middle, that was middle.
Devin Stewart (23:00):
That was that was that was a crazy one.
Let's see. I think, a couple of years later it was probably one of my last seasons when we played middle at middle.
Matt McCay (23:13):
went to like double or triple overtime.
Devin Stewart (23:17):
I don't remember that one. But what I was gonna say was, they always put the locker room like right by the concession stand, or like an old concession stand like. It's always the worst facilities.
And like we have literally like one of those
plastic fences that goes around us. And there's like a little opening. And that's where we go in and out, and some dude tried to walk in the locker room drunk, and Coach Welles had to pick. Had to kick him out.
(23:41):
Do you remember that? - I don't remember that.
Oh, yeah, that was hilarious, well, I mean, another part is is like the training room was just
outside the locker room. Nothing over the top. There's just you just sitting out there and open.
(24:04):
which in the summer it was nice. cause there it's whatever. But
Matt McCay (24:10):
yeah, it was not. It was not the best facility. I remember, like you talk about the emotion of it like I was thinking about even big picture like other sports, too, because Western
Western beaten middle
for sure, in 2,009 and basketball to go to the Champion to go to the tournament, and then Western Western beat middle for our first win
(24:36):
and then we we beat middle, and it's like double triple overtime at middle one time when Bob were to touchdown. And then.
yeah, there was a lot of middle
stuff going on Middle Western stuff from like oh, 6 to 2,000,
(24:58):
12 or 13. Yeah, there was like real serious middle, like, you know, like Western. You know, the 25 days of triumph with Ray Harper, or whatever, and Western comes back from 10 down on middle on Senior Day.
and it was freaking crazy in there. I don't know if you read that game, or remember it, or anything but I think it might have already been gone. But yeah, but it was.
(25:23):
It was sold out.
you know Western had sucked all year had a losing record, but everybody got excited, and it was so loud. In there went freaking crazy. You know Western gets a breakaway to kind of seal the game off and dunks it actually after the buzzer, and it just goes breaking nuts in there.
And it was just
(25:46):
that that built the emotion of middle for me. But I was thinking of like stories of
stuff that happened like there was one time it was the year that we went defeated. We went on 12 right. We're down at middle, and we got murdered.
Devin Stewart (26:01):
Yes, but, like
Matt McCay (26:03):
the the
what honestly makes you hate. Middle is that some of the people are just freaking idiots like we're we're in front of like a lot of times. You had student sections right behind you, especially in the Sun Belt, where they didn't have the rules
that she couldn't have a student section right behind the football team.
anyway. Yeah, who who needs middle head. They're like, you know, middle aged
(26:30):
season ticket holders behind our bench.
and they were worse than some of the students. Sections like Brandon Smith was getting taped up by one of the trainer girls. I don't wanna name everybody's name and stuff, but like.
anyway, he he was the quarterback right? He's getting taped up, and they're asking the trainer girls if you know, if they've had intercourse with them, like whatever
Devin Stewart (26:58):
it was like. Seriously.
Matt McCay (27:02):
you're like 55 years old when you're asking college kids like, Come on. just classless crap like that. It was just like, Wow, this is.
And then my favorite all time was we went to a basketball game. This was around, oh, 809,
(27:22):
2,010! Something like that. There was like a 12 year old baseball team
that was sitting down low right by the basketball goal. And then the Western fans usually sit behind the basket
and we were cheering and stuff. and
their coach says, I was like, Wow, joby, shit hail! And then one of his players
Devin Stewart (27:45):
and several the other ones, stand up and double bird us like these 12 year olds are flipping us off.
Matt McCay (27:54):
Are you old enough to cast like? Come on.
you! Do you know what that means.
So I pulled up. I pulled up a couple of the seasons.
Devin Stewart (28:03):
and you were talking about the Owen 12 year. That was 2,962 to 24. Yeah? Oh, that was awful
through a hill, Mary, and halftime, to make it even worse, like we were within
Matt McCay (28:18):
10 or something or 14 or something. They threw a hell, Mary, and caught it, and we went down like 21 or something. K. One. Jake
Devin Stewart (28:28):
had a hundred 30 yards in that game. I cannot. I don't know who the running back was. It? Says Smith. He had 34 yards.
and Jake Gable had 100 yards receiving. Jack Doyle had 80 yards against navy
that year.
that is wild. He had 60 yards against Troy, I mean, like some of these are just crazy stats.
Matt McCay (28:52):
Yeah, those 34 years that might have been Brandon Smith leading Russia.
Devin Stewart (28:58):
He might have been that year. I don't know. And of course, like we played fi you, we had 118 yards like 8, Jake said. 118 yards passing like that's just crazy stance.
And that was the same year we played Lane Kiffens, Tennessee.
Oh.
yeah, 63 to 7. God! Those are horrible years. We had them after that first quarter man
(29:23):
0 to 0. We played middle and basketball. It was 67 57. What you we won by that year, and that was the the Ty Rogers shot year. That was the San Diego, you know. We made it to the Sweet 16 that year.
So that was a great year 2,007, 2,008 season
(29:47):
great years to celebrate Western and tell Middle to suck it, and it would be middle for the championship that year and the next year in basketball for the championship
Matt McCay (30:08):
in the championship. That was the the year that we went and played Illinois, and then almost beat Zaga.
Devin Stewart (30:14):
cause I was there for all that stuff. So it's pretty cool.
Yeah, that's I mean, I remember being in the I remember being in the old side of the stadium and beating
sorry, went Blank when we beat. I guess it was Drake with the Ty Rogers shot like that was just that is my Western basketball like all time favorite memory right there, just watching that it's like, Oh, my! Gosh.
(30:38):
So we'll talk some lady top basketball real quick like I said earlier, I kinda screwed up and forgot to put the New Mexico state
on there.
Excuse me, but we'll just kind of go through this real quick. Lady tops ended up losing both those games
(30:58):
wk fell to Utab 73, 68,
and they also lost to New Mexico, State 64, 61, a little bit better. But New Mexico State essentially dominated that entire game.
You know, stats here show it all, you know, Western pretty much
(31:21):
filed more and Youtube hit more free throws.
you know, 2020 points there, 20 easy points.
and you know. and if Western had less fowls it would. It might have been a different game.
Matt McCay (31:36):
You know, that's only 5 points difference there. So. Yeah, well, I you know I don't know if I let me see if you care if I try to share. No, I can't share my screen together. Allow me to. No, there's no no, I won't let you know it will not be allowed. Okay, fair enough.
Devin Stewart (31:52):
Let me see if I let me see if I can let you but go ahead.
Matt McCay (31:56):
cause I had the box for pulled up. I think it'll show a little bit what what happened in this game. Just real quickly. Basically, I mean, Western had a 16 point
halftime lead against Utep.
Devin Stewart (32:12):
and
Matt McCay (32:14):
Utop needed 2 quarters where they scored 10 more than western to win by 5 they out scored Western 22 to 12, and then 2615, and the fourth
to win by 5. So basically Western had it in their hands.
and just
they just
completely melted it down. It was like
(32:37):
it. It was the the oddest thing like I was. I was distracted doing something and look down, and was like, Oh, Westerns in control, whatever. And then I look back down and they're losing. And I'm like, what?
Devin Stewart (32:49):
Where did this come from? Like what just happened?
Basically like just to start the fourth just to start the fourth quarter or fourth period, or whatever you want to call it.
That's when Utip made their move and basically overtook them. But Western dominated
for essentially what? 3 quarters of the game at least. Yeah, I mean, it was it was. There was no.
Matt McCay (33:10):
there was no reason that they
it's just like the 23 point loss to guys have like you just can't let that happen. And the lady tops have had that happen a few times now.
And they've gone from having this pretty nice record.
So now they're only they also lost in New Mexico State. They're 15 and 12 and really, really struggling
(33:37):
lately and cannot win on the road. They're 6 and 6
in conference, U.S.A. After starting 3, and O, so 3 and 6, including some pretty bad losses.
And you know New Mexico state is right there.
Knock it on the door to catch them, you know, and it kind of helps when you hand them 2 wins.
(34:01):
Be able to possibly catch you.
They're not gonna have a tie breaker against New Mexico State. If they
if they end up tied with them. It's just really rough
and Western honestly like, if you look at their schedule. you know my dad and I were talking about this. they could honestly lose every single one of their games the rest of the way they have 4 games left.
(34:24):
That's like middle Saturday at 110'clock on Espn. You.
Did they play at Low Tech, who obviously Western beat. But they were down 19 before they came back. That was the game of weeks ago, and it's on the road.
And it's yeah, it's at latte. And then, fi you, who only has 2 losses in conference, and then liberty, who's probably paying, playing about as well or better than fi you right now. They
(34:54):
They played Western was down and came back on liberty in the beginning of the conference season.
but liberty since then.
you know, they they really were supposed to be better than they've been this year, but they're now 7 and 4 in conference, U.S.A. They're only 12 and 14 overall. But they've really really been playing well since, basically, since they've lost the Western and now they're they're actually well ahead of Western, and it's gonna take
(35:23):
a miracle for Western even. Catch them.
And you've got 5 teams cluster with Westroom from 4 to 8
that are within 3 games 2 and a half games. Excuse me
Devin Stewart (35:36):
2 games in the lost column, so Western could easily lose every single one of these games, and end up the 7 or 8 seat.
Matt McCay (35:43):
Yeah, it's not good. And Collins was looking like Greg Collins, head coach Greg Collins was looking like he was gonna easily cruise on through to next year, and not have any issues in terms of like dealing with getting himself fired. But if he loses 4 in a row here and then craps out in the tournament.
(36:04):
I'm not sure how you keep them around after 6 years
mediocrity taking over a good program.
and that would mean Western has a losing record after having honestly the best roster he's had. I don't understand. And now, now you've
the bed with some of these teams that you could one you could be, you know, 8 and 4 right now in conference or something. and maybe have a chance to to lose a couple of these and be okay. Now you're looking at complete disaster. If you don't upset people.
(36:39):
and you need multiple upsets to get the 500.
Devin Stewart (36:43):
So do you know the last road game that Western one Western girls
off the top of your head? Any idea off the top of my head?
Matt McCay (36:53):
is it? Non-conference?
Devin Stewart (36:55):
Nope. Conference?
But they would be the first
Matt McCay (37:01):
Jacksonville State. Yes, it was Jacksonville State. We that was on January thirteenth. That was the last road when we've had.
Devin Stewart (37:10):
That's that's that's pretty upsetting. I mean. it's not something to be not something you wanna put on the wall, that's for sure.
But anyway, so Western gonna be playing mtu the girls will be playing the games. Gonna be on Espn. You like, Matt said. It's 11 am central time 12, noon, Eastern time
(37:33):
so support the tops that will be in diddle, and they will need your support. Cause this is, could be a lot of your support.
Matt McCay (37:44):
I honestly like, okay, first of all, it's a rivalry game. Here's what I would encourage people to do.
Go to both the girls game
110'clock, and then go down to the men's game at 6 30 in. In.
Make it a day and and go see the lady tops. The lady tops have a promotion where they're they're letting kids basically like play a role in the game day experience.
(38:13):
So some of them are like, gonna be like taking care of big red. Some of them are gonna be cheerleaders. Some of them are gonna be
like little managers or something like that. So it's kind of a cool thing. So go sign up. They've got stuff all over the lady talking Twitter and all that stuff. But it's kind of a cool opportunity.
And let's let's fill out. They'll see what happens. This arrival again. Right? It doesn't matter.
Devin Stewart (38:38):
My brain is going completely, hey? Wired. I like how bad this is. Like they got kids in the training room trying to take bankles. They're like, this isn't gonna work sherry.
What's wrong with you, and the kids like ate, and she's like I tried to tape you. Well, you didn't do it right.
(38:58):
What's wrong with my shoes? Oh, these aren't my shoes. What's wrong with you
Matt McCay (39:03):
unless
Devin Stewart (39:05):
what's Greg Collins? Personal assistant? I could just see him. He's, you know.
I mean, I hate to be this way, but you know, girls, it end up losing the game or whatever, and he's like. What's wrong with you, Tiffany. I told you to call that time out. Where were you on that?
(39:28):
But anyway I mean, it's it's really it's not gonna look good for the lady tops. This weekend especially gets empty issue being, you know, essentially undefeated in conference. And then they're gonna be playing logic on the 28, which is next Wednesday.
So we'll talk a little optic like Matt said, law, tech Western girls ended up. You know they were pretty on top of it last time. Almost blew it, but
(39:53):
they could. You know they haven't won a road game since January, which is a very disappointing thing to see. That's that's the one game that you should win. I mean, latte
Matt McCay (40:05):
is 3 and 8 in conference.
If you do not want to join them at the bottom of the conference, you need to beat them, find a way.
You were better than them when you play them. You just came out playing like you didn't care, and got down, and then woke up, got pissed off and won. But the thing is that like, we just need to see some consistency. And they're just. I don't know if it's their their Mojo is gone. Obviously they really do struggle without occasion.
(40:35):
But it's not an excuse to lose. To some of these teams
they have no business losing to. They still should maybe have like 3 losses in conference, and they have 6. They lost Sam Houston. They lost in Mexico state twice. You should have gotten at least one of those Utab.
you know, and and here's the scary thing is, there's other games that they could have also lost
(40:58):
like Utub. The first time at diddle was only one, because destiny salary found a way, one on one to beat them by one. There were some other games that they barely won
so honestly could be 4, 8, 3, and 9 right now. and really be staring down the barrel of a complete disaster.
(41:20):
But it they they were logging in a few moments and
have done enough to be at 500. But, my goodness, they they're gonna need to play their best basketball to to get to 500
and conference after after looking like this was the year I'm so frustrated.
Devin Stewart (41:39):
Yeah, it's
Matt McCay (41:41):
I thought this was the year to be like, you know what we're gonna be right there with middle. We're gonna go to the championship game. We're gonna see what happens against middle.
No.
no, evidently not dude.
Devin Stewart (41:54):
And the bad thing is is like these last 4 games. You need to Winlottech like you said. But Mtsu is comfortably in the driver's seat and basically just pumped on the gas and
hit the gnaws. I was. Gonna say, whatever whatever fast and the furious meme you want to use, they're basically crushing everybody, and then you got latte like we said, and then you've got
(42:22):
Sorry. Then you've got liberty, and then you've got fi you or switch that whichever way.
I'm sorry. I was just pulling up the Western and
or the Mtsu, you know, they beat ut 56 to 41.
Matt McCay (42:40):
Yeah, like that is, some of these numbers are wild to look at. Yeah, they have not lost they. They've won all their games in conference, right? They've had one game in conference, U.S.A. That they haven't won by double digits, and that was the very first one against Law tech on the road.
Every other game they've played
since has been no less than 11. Most of them have been by 20 or more
(43:06):
like 30 or 40.
Devin Stewart (43:09):
They've lost to Princeton, which I'm gonna say they were probably just outsmarted. They got beat by Michigan, and then they lost to Grand Canyon University, which I think is that the Phoenix University one or no.
that's not Phoenix University. Oh, sorry. Fi! You will be the second to last game, and then Liberty's last game. But all 3 of those, you know, Mtsu fi! You and Liberty. They're pretty comfortable up in the top of the conference.
(43:36):
You know. Their seats are pretty much reserved up there.
and you know, if you can get an upset that would be amazing. On, you know, any of one of those teams middle would be the greatest. It would feel the best. But you know at this point I think you take what you can get.
Matt McCay (43:54):
Yeah, I mean
liberty. Honestly. liberty is reachable. But Western is going to have to win
at least 3 out of 4. So they're gonna have to win everything but middle, which is really tough to ask. I mean, if I, you Western, terrible
(44:14):
Western, was comparable to Fi. You know they lost 5, 10, and it was like a a game that was within their reach.
But I mean they're gonna have to win. They they're gonna have to play better than they've been playing and liberty is gonna have to lose a few games, including lose
at least one other game
for Wester to sneak in there. So
(44:37):
yeah, it's not. It's not a super bright looking outlook. The chances are that Western perhaps falls a little bit. I think they're gonna fall.
that probably this
the 6 or 7 spot. I don't think they'll fall into 8
but like
if they go one and 3 like say, they'd be law tech right? And then those to middle
(45:03):
and Liberty and Fi u
The other teams are gonna there's gonna be some teams that are within a couple games.
They're playing each other. Somebody's gonna win a few of those. A few of them are gonna obviously have to lose. So I think it's it's pretty likely that Western stays out of the 8 9 matchup.
(45:26):
But II don't. It's gonna be tough for them to get to go 2 and 2 here.
and that's heartbreaking that that's where we are for me.
because, like I said, Man
January, I was feeling like this, was it? You know this is a chance for calls to break through.
And now, it's just like hoping that they can get to the semis.
Devin Stewart (45:50):
Yeah. I mean, it's kind of like football season was this year, too. It was very disappointing. But
yeah, I mean, we still made it to a ball game, you know. We still there were bright spots in it. But you know I will just stick around. Let's keep keep watching. Keep listing, and we'll keep talking about it and given our opinions. So men's basketball.
(46:12):
the guys they're gonna be based in the same
very interesting challenge. They're gonna be playing middle.
So I really literally just had a brain for it. And I was like. Well, the Fi women's is up at the top. Well, I'd already switched it to the men's.
and FIU. Men's is very comfortably in the bottom. And I was like, wait a second. What happened? But anyway. so Western, I want to share my screen real quick for the
(46:41):
little blurb. I did.
Oh, there we go! I was pretty proud of this one, and
oh, here we go toppers when toppers buried the minors 90 to 80, and honestly like, in my opinion, I'm thinking, you know, the men had such a strong second half against you, Tip
(47:03):
being able to essentially just bury them
and just dominate that first half cause I mean, first half. You know.
the guys just did not have that, the points that they needed, whereas you know, like you said we were talking last week. Matt said. That you know Utep is very, a very steely team, and I was joking about them stealing stuff off the court. Well, they hit 12 steals and Western had 6.
(47:29):
But you know even our defensive rebounds is what kind of helped us to. We had, you know, 34 there, where they had 24. That allows you to get a couple of extra turnaround points. And you know, being able to shoot 56% from field goal.
That's over half over half your shots you're making. And you know you're hitting about every third of your 3 pointers to.
(47:52):
That's good. That's everything's going really well there. So
you know.
it's it was very productive. It was very it's something we needed just to go ahead and clean up and show, you know. Hey? You know, the guys can take care of business. We can do this
and let me see here. And then we had New Mexico State, which I did not put in my notes. I've completely skipped over the aggies.
(48:16):
but Western ended up beating the aggies 72 to 58, and basically just dominating in the second half. And that is. I mean, that is what we need to see?
Matt McCay (48:29):
Absolutely. So what were your thoughts, Buddy? Yeah. So first of all, u, tip. I thought first of all, it was improvement over the first
meeting not just because they won, but also the the way that Utah matches up with Western is interesting because
Western speeds everybody up and Utip
(48:53):
takes advantage of speed in a unique way that they steal and create more possessions.
And so it really kind of feeds into a bad matchup for Western. So the fact that especially defensively so the fact that Western held them to 80 after giving up 93. The first game, you know, is obviously a huge improvement. You look at that said, well, crap! Western defense was horrible, this game well.
(49:19):
the pace was so high that we held them to the low forties and shooting and obviously shot, you know, nearly 57% which I didn't realize we shot that high against Utah.
Yeah. But I thought that was kind of an interesting
little tidbit there. And also we did a little bit better job than we did the first time, taking care of the ball. I think we've
(49:41):
calm down a little bit slow, the pace down just a little bit. so that we can take care of the ball a little bit more, and I think it's paying dividends
and you're starting to see it. A. It's affecting the pace, you know the fact that we've won 2 out of 3 games, holding people less than 60
for the first time all year. Those were the 2 lowest defensive points allowed efforts in the whole year, 2 out of the last 3 games.
(50:10):
So set 58 was the lowest all year against a a team that we had a complete meltdown against the last time. So it was really nice.
you know, like, honestly, the the first part of the New Mexico State game. I think it.
I think we were kind of snake bit like we were missing some some layups, little short floaters and stuff just weren't going down.
(50:37):
Ball was bouncing weird stuff like that, and for us to go into halftime tied
like we all looked around. We're like dude. How? How are we tied right now like that was about as bad as we could have played, and we were tied. and then they we came out, and
I think well, I think even before halftime the the intensity wasn't there for the first
(51:01):
10 or 12 min, and they started picking it up. And it was really noticeable that the effort started picking up.
Yeah, I think I think that made the biggest difference and turned it around from Western was down pretty good. I think it was 9 or 10
in the first half against the Mexico state, and then ended up winning by
(51:22):
14. So it's just really nice to see Western win in different ways.
you know. Against the Mexico state. II think we had like 11 turnovers, only
yeah. And so it wasn't one of those like
crazy paces where where they're just running back and forth, or whatever it was, more, of a grind type of game. And the Mexico State did a good job slowing us down.
(51:51):
but it didn't matter. I mean what we we held them to, what? 25 in the second half, I think if it was 33, I think they had 25.
Devin Stewart (52:01):
yeah, at a half. Yeah, it was 33. So yeah, 25 points. That's I mean, you can't beat that really
Matt McCay (52:13):
good luck beating a team like Western, they can score so you know another thing about New Mexico state that was awesome, is, it? Was so balanced. If you look at the scoring.
you know Don Mc. Here didn't have to go for 25 points he had. I think I think he only had 10, or they have 10 or 12.
let me look here. 10. Yeah, he had 10, but he was still efficient. He still did other stuff. He took care of the ball. Only had one turnover.
(52:43):
You know your point, guards combined, for like 2 turnovers. You know you you had. Jack Ableing came in, made some nice plays, made one amazing defensive play.
Has a few assist
Christian Landers, your other guy that played some point guard, and then Don Mchenry. All 3 of those guys
(53:04):
did a good job with the ball and took care of things, and so when when your point guards are taking care of the ball. You have a good offense
Devin Stewart (53:12):
and efficient offense where you're not wasting possessions. And so
Matt McCay (53:16):
it's nice to see Western be able to win different ways. Because before the last 3 games
I don't think we knew that Western could win in like a 60 70 point type of pace game. We? It was basically like, Western needs to score 80, or they're going to lose.
Devin Stewart (53:31):
Yeah. So those that might lose, anyway.
Matt McCay (53:34):
But now the defense has really picked it up.
Devin Stewart (53:36):
Yeah, I mean.
and this is where you want to see them towards the end of the season.
I mean, you definitely want to see them coming out strong and, like you said, that is the least amount of points. The last one we had with this view of points was 59 points. Jacksonville scored.
So I mean, there is no other team. And I even kind of scroll back because I thought, Well, that's a weird number to throw out there. But yeah, you were 100 right on that. I'll give you that one
(54:05):
58 points so you got middle coming up. and I'm sorry, but you want to metaphorically put their head in the toilet and give them a swirly. Let's just finish this good and strong, and just
dunk them in there and just let it go.
Matt McCay (54:19):
here's the thing, though. Middle is actually playing pretty good basketball, so look at the record. They're 11 and 15, whatever. I don't know how they're gonna do tonight, or well, yesterday, if it's Thursday and you're just now open in this
but
(54:41):
I don't know how they're gonna do Wednesday night, but they're riding a 3 game, winning streak. If they beat Jacksonville State. That would be obviously be on a 4 game, winning streak either way. They've played well, they wanna road game at fi you, which is not that impressive? But it's still
you know what they did something that's tough to do and comfort U.S.A. And this one on the road.
(55:04):
you know. Like, if you look at how Western is expected to do at Fi, you. They're barely a 50% favorite to win. It's like 53%, whatever it is. It's it's difficult. It's difficult to win on the road, and they did that, and then they beat you, and they beat Mexico state and and they have a guy that scored at least 26 points the last couple of games. He had 41 against Utah.
(55:30):
So and they have 2 other guys that can that can play. And they have some good players. So I think
a
don't look at middles. Records, say, oh, 11 to 15 Western kill them?
Probably they should. But you know what
little is playing pretty decent basketball, and they're gonna be confident they're gonna be playing at home.
(55:53):
So I think that one thing is Western fancy to go down there to middle unless
paint Murphysboro red. Yeah. But
let's take this game seriously, and if Western can win this game, it really puts pressure on
Sam Houston and law tech to keep winning because
(56:15):
I think that we could see Law Tech and Sam Houston stumble here. They've got to go out West this week or next week. Both of them have to go out west
and it's an opportunity.
Yeah, I have to pull that one up. Western is expected to be is that 63 win percentage against Mtsu.
Devin Stewart (56:36):
I don't know, you know, as far as I mean, cause. Honest, we've said this 100 times before. But with you know the the interns that Espn who knows how everything's gonna work out. But but like you were saying, latte is going to Utip and New Mexico state.
(56:57):
and I know they're not the best. But
you know, it's hard to play.
Matt McCay (57:03):
It's hard to play, almost it is. Yes, it is
Devin Stewart (57:07):
So you know there's that. So maybe
I mean there. Is it possible to have an upset? Honestly, I wouldn't put my money on it. But for as far as you type New Mexico State, I think Western could do. Okay. But
we'll see. I mean, that's a long trip.
Matt McCay (57:22):
and hopefully. They don't pay for plane tickets. They make them ride on bus, so that'll help us even more. That's 4 more days if you, if you look at the
U.S.A. Standings, and how it works out. Which, by the way, go check out my article on.
Did a state of conference, U.S.A. And it really breaks this all down for you. But Sam Houston needs to lose 2 games for Western to pass them in standings, at least, so if Western loses one, they need. Sam Houston lose 3 because Sam Houston has a tiebreaker. They also only have 3 losses, and Western has 4.
(58:00):
But if if Sam Houston goes out West, which I believe they go out West this week.
Devin Stewart (58:06):
Yeah, I don't know. Let me check Sam
now, like I said, law tech does. But I don't know about Sam Houston, Sam Houston travel partners. So gotcha. So they go to New Mexico state first.
Matt McCay (58:21):
Yeah. So Sam, sorry. Go ahead. That's all right. So yeah. So Sam plays New Mexico State person, then Utah. Both of them are going on the road this week.
If
Mexico State and Utah
can can win if they can win all those games great, but they could win half of them.
(58:43):
It really puts Western in a spot where, if we can beat middle. Then we're right on even footing, with everybody putting pressure on those 2 to keep pace. If they both. If they both sweep.
then Western is almost certainly gonna end up being the 2 of the 3 seed
and you know, not gonna have a chance at that number one seat. But Western really needs is to stay out of the 3 spot because the 3 spot
(59:12):
has to win 3 games in a row in 3 days.
the the one, the one on the 2 see? Get a break. They play on Wednesday, and then they play Friday, Saturday. So you have a huge difference between the 2 and the 3 spot
and
then the first seat also plays the winner of the 8 9 game
(59:34):
on Wednesday. So if you can get in the one seat. It's a huge advantage, if not, get into the 2 spot and avoid having to play 3 games in 3 days, because it
it's a big disadvantage for 3 through 6 who have to play 3 games in a row in 3 days.
Devin Stewart (59:52):
I mean a yeah. It's a I mean, that's kind of nice that they've got the tournament built like that. But yes, so man's will be playing. Let me pull up this real quick so we can look at this
so men's will be playing on Saturday, 7 30 Pm. Mtsu on Espm. Plus
(01:00:15):
and that is at Mtsu. So like Matt said, it's not that far of a trip from Bowling Green. So if you're in the Bowling Green area, you definitely go support the tops. It's big game. It's big environment.
It's middle. So just you got a couple of hours there, and then you can leave not a big deal. And then next Wednesday they play logic. 8 pm. On Espn. Plus so
(01:00:36):
big games. Big couple of games coming up so definitely support the tops. And like, I said, baseball's got their things that's going on. This weekend. Softball's got their things going this weekend, and it is a wild
Matt McCay (01:00:50):
a wild weekend for sports. Go ahead. You got something else. One thing. Yeah. The the law tech game. Wednesday. Okay.
I know there's church. I know there's other stuff going on for some people whatever.
But we need to pack out dell arena Wednesday night against latte. Okay, it's the last game of the season. It is a battle
(01:01:14):
to see who can get possibly win conference. U.S.A. Certainly could be for the 2 seed. If Western wins out we get the 2 seed and avoid the 3, 6 matchup
and and get that day break like we need. It's not as important to get that one seat, but we need to be logitech, or it puts us in
(01:01:36):
a a really bad position to even try to get the 2 seat.
So we need everybody to get there. Logic is really good up 100 team in the country
really big opportunity for Western to stake claim on converts, U.S.A. To establish dominance over law tech.
to have momentum heading into the tournament, knowing that we're playing well, all good things could be going on in one game, so it's time to show up. There's no excuses.
(01:02:06):
Students need to show up.
Old people need to show up whatever get you, grandma. get you 18 year old. Bring your kids whatever let's pack it all out. And let's let's be latte.
Devin Stewart (01:02:20):
Yeah, let's be classy, though.
Let's be classy. Don't be like metal. Be classy.
Stay classy. Everybody so yes, check check the towel rack all their articles. They're gonna keep us up to date on everything going on and be back next week. We'll talk more Western sports and then we will update you all as far as everything goes on that front.
(01:02:42):
But as always, guys go, chops
Matt McCay (01:02:45):
go tops
bigoodle.
Devin Stewart (01:02:55):
There we go.
Welcome into another red out podcast my name's Devin. We got Matt in the studio. How's it going, Buddy?
Matt McCay (00:07):
What's up? Dude?
Devin Stewart (00:09):
Not a lot, not a lot got a lot to talk about, and it's a big week for Western.
Why is that? It's middle week?
Matt McCay (00:19):
Oh, yeah.
Devin Stewart (00:20):
beat middle cause they suck
honestly like
like it sounds bad. But like basketball, it's kinda decent still, but football. It's
it's turned into a holiday that like like Thanksgiving.
like, I'm sure, for the Pilgrims. That was a big deal. but like nowadays like, who cares about middle right?
Matt McCay (00:45):
Right? We have corn, you know. We don't need to celebrate. You can go to the grocery store and get corn. Yeah.
Devin Stewart (00:52):
they've got sweet potatoes, which, by the way, whoever started calling those yams.
I have no idea. I that was one thing somebody say, yeah, somebody said yams one time, and I was like.
and then I'll and then I was like, Well, do you wanna yam? And I was like, no, I don't like yams. and it's like, Oh, well, wait a second.
(01:16):
Do you want a sweet potato. And I'm like, Well, yeah, I'll take a sweet potato, and it's like, but that's the same thing like after I looked up I was like holy crap. It is the same thing.
Matt McCay (01:25):
Yeah, I don't know, Buddy. And I think that's a North South thing.
Devin Stewart (01:29):
I think we should investigate that further. But anyway
so let's jump into it, do I?
Matt McCay (01:35):
So go ahead, Buddy. I'll find a documentary on yams and such Malika corely
Devin Stewart (02:00):
he is news. Yams are not news.
so you know, he's he's potentially going to the draft. I'm assuming 100. But we'll just say potential but what do you think, as far as his draft stocks concerned, how is Malika going to do in the draft?
Matt McCay (02:17):
Yeah. Well, II think it's I mean, barring epic disaster. He's gonna get drafted.
Devin Stewart (02:26):
He's consensus.
Matt McCay (02:29):
Top 100 pick and a lot of people have him going. There's a few people that say somebody might reach for him in the first round. I don't know that'll happen.
that like, he said. He's been in a couple of
kind of extreme draft takes like way up into the first round, so I don't know if that'll happen, but I definitely think he'll be. He likely could be drafted
(02:55):
by the second round, and then certainly by the third he he seems like like he had Steve Smith
talking about him from the guy, from the panthers. He had some other. He's had some other outlets
actively talking about them. Mel Piper likes, and whatever so it seems like there's a lot of momentum for them.
You still have the combine you still have pro day. and then you still have the draft process and all the interviews and stuff.
(03:20):
So there's a it's a long way to go, but as long as he doesn't have like an epic disaster, you know, like he just ends up having like 5 inch hands or
you know, has a vertical where he trips on the phone book. I mean.
you know, he he's probably gonna be okay, and he should be drafted pretty high.
Devin Stewart (03:41):
Yeah, I mean, II would expect at least I mean, everything I'm seeing is second round, and I would think that's a very definite possibility. I don't know.
We talked about it about a week or so so ago that that
Oh, it's wind blowing
Mr. Lamp went at 38. If I'm not mistaken. Is that right?
Matt McCay (04:05):
Yeah, it was. yeah. Something like that. 38, 39 something.
Devin Stewart (04:11):
If he did, if he got in there that's awesome for a wide receiver. I mean it's
he's I mean. He's a great young man, great, you know. Great caliber athlete, and I think he'll do well in the League.
you know, and he's just starting out, so will he start right away? I don't think so. I mean, it would be very rare for that to happen, but
(04:32):
you know he could end up.
you know, second string practice squad and then moving up to a team. I don't know. It's a lot of. So if he's drafted that high, he's not going to be pro practice squad is too much money, put in. I agree. Yeah, these top 3, like he's guaranteed a contract, and he's guaranteed
Matt McCay (04:54):
4 years
unless they cut him, and then they still have to pay. He's guaranteed money. If he's
a top 3
big. So
I mean we'll we'll see. But I mean, like I was looking at pro football network. It says quarterly grades out as a top 64. Prospect in the 2024 Nfl. Draft
(05:16):
who could fill top 50 consideration from teams needing a weapon at the wide receiver position round. One may be a bit rich, considering the projection required.
Blah blah, but in the right offense he has game breaking potential. So I mean that kind of sums it up pretty well. I think it's like somebody could reach and get him in the first round. That will be kind of a crazy pick. Everybody, everybody will be like, what? Seriously, are you sure about that? But it's possible down to, you know, he could slip he's he's undersized. He's from Western.
(05:50):
you know. There's gonna be some people that underestimate him, too, so he could slip into the third round. So.
But it seems like the guys, and possibly he could be a free agent.
Hmm, yeah.
Devin Stewart (06:03):
possibly. And it's honestly, from what I've heard from athletes who have been free agents. Free agency is the best thing, because
at that point you are wind and dined and shown the red carpet, and everybody's trying to woo you. Is it ideal. No, like him getting drafted would be ideal depending on the team.
(06:26):
But
and I'm reaching. I'm really reaching here, cause you know, draft stock is not my cup of tea.
but I know I know his athleticism is at the potential that he's really good.
Matt McCay (06:40):
If he was, if he was projecting like 5, 6, 7.
Well, like like Austin, read is somebody that maybe gets drafted, probably doesn't.
If you're in the seventh round you'd almost rather be a free agent, but if you get like like Higby was drafted early enough, iggy, Forrest lamp, Taiwan Taylor. All them were drafted in the first 4 rounds, and so they're guaranteed
(07:08):
spots with whatever team, even if it's crappy team, they're guaranteed to get a spot for a few years, and so if if he if he's projecting like
he almost definitely should not be left after the third round. It's gonna be good for him wherever he goes. He's gonna be guaranteed to get a shot.
Obviously. you know, Kansas City versus freaking
(07:32):
while I'm a Titans fan going to Tennessee may not be the best option form, because they don't develop receivers. but you know, I mean.
nonetheless, I mean, who who knows where where he ends up? But I think he seems like he's on the right track. He's going somewhere. He's gonna be drafted pretty high.
(07:54):
barring entry, basically.
Devin Stewart (07:57):
honestly. And you're gonna be like, of course, you say that green Bay would be the best place for him to land. Weather. Wise it's not. It's as bad as the bills. It's cold, it's all get out, you know, but
And and I'm speaking more for quarterbacks, more so than like quad receivers. But as far as like development and everything goes, I always feel like Green Bay's players are more developed
(08:22):
than Dallas. Dallas always seems like the. And I'm gonna get some hate for this, and that's fine. The trailer Parker for Hs teams
like, you know. like there's always something in the news like they got arrested or some other stuff happened. And
(08:43):
you know, whenever something's going on, you're you're always looking at your window going. What are they doing now?
Matt McCay (08:49):
It's like, oh, he must have cheated! She threw his clothes out on the yard again.
Devin Stewart (08:54):
I hope she lit him on fire. He must have been doing something bad like. It's always some dysfunctional thing with Dallas. And yes, I do. I am hating on Dallas because I got family who loves Dallas so.
But yeah, I wish him luck of everything goes well with Matt for Mr. Corley, and I hope you know
I wish him all the best. I hope he gets drafted, and I hope the team is a good team that will be able to
(09:19):
give him the
learning that he needs for the you know, coming weeks, for before he starts, you know, before he starts playing. And Nfl. You know. And so he actually retains a spot. And
hey, worst case, he gets drafted and he makes money. So that's always great.
So softball and I'll share. I'm gonna share a couple. I just realized that I goofed
(09:44):
and did not include a couple of screen of
I didn't do a couple of slides for the
Matt McCay (09:56):
was softball.
Devin Stewart (09:58):
No, I missed New Mexico State, actually, which is stupid. I missed it on both boys and girls, so I'll do this real quick. Western went down to Chattanooga and and participated in their little tournament they had down there.
and in the Chattahoochee choo, choo tournament and so last week, on the Sixteenth Western had a double header lost to North Alabama first game lost to Chattanooga, and of course, that Chattanooga game was.
(10:25):
you know, 5 innings, so possibly the girls could have came back on that one I don't know.
And then they played on the seventeenth, which was Saturday, Saturday, North Alabama. They actually beat them that time, and then they played Murray state and beat them 2, and then then they beat ball state 6 to 4.
(10:46):
So you know the lady tops are doing really well, as far as that goes. Hold on! Get this off.
and then one real quick thing, for lady tops will cover their upcoming.
which, by the way, like this, is what wears me out with baseball and softball like I've got like 6 pages of games that they've got to play in a week, and I'm like, good Lord!
(11:09):
I believe they've got the hilltopper invitational, or whatever it's called this week.
So on Friday they've got a
a game at 3 pm. At the Wk. Use softball complex, all of these, except the local one, as it says on the notes here are at the softball complex. So Friday they played Detroit Mercy and St. Louis, and then on the on Saturday they will play Eastern Illinois and Detroit mercy again.
(11:38):
and then the 20 Fifth they'll play. They'll play St. Louis.
which, by the way, I looked up St. Louis's Mascot because I did not know what that was. It's called a
apparently it's a mythological creature that if you rub its belly. It's good luck.
and then next Tuesday they will play Louisville. Obviously at Louvok. Is Louisville incoming down here. Devin? Will you be coming down to rub the bellies of the St. Louis Billicans
(12:03):
depends off their heart, I mean. No, no, no, not. I'm not admitting that on here.
It's good to see that the softball team is growing and doing well with what they're
doing. Well, you know, obviously, you know, being able to overcome North Alabama and not allowing them to sweep them in. That little invitational tournament thing is really good news.
(12:28):
Yeah, overall 6, 6, 3 and one. Right? So I mean, yes, and they actually beat that off the list. Did I say that one on there? Oh.
yeah. So that was and they also beat ball state on. I don't know where I'm at. I'm crazy, anyway. But they also beat ball state
(12:49):
6 to 4, so I don't. And I was actually doing the upcoming ones. I'm crazy.
So
yeah. So it's always good to see Western doing well there. So
yes, I feel like I just had a stroke. I just forgot I was like, did I talk about the ball state game?
(13:10):
I don't even know if I did or not, but I do have it in my notes.
but for some reason, like, when I do the the Powerpoints, to make these into images, if I don't have, if like, if I've got the if I go to save it and it it doesn't save quite right, like it'll leave out a whole swath of information, and I'm like it's there.
(13:35):
If you were the Ncaa Selection Committee at the end of the year, and you saw a power 5 tie for the Western Kentucky
Matt McCay (13:46):
ladytopper's softball team. How would you view that portion of their resume
Devin Stewart (13:53):
favorably?
Kansas? I thought it was. Kinda
it is funny. It is funny they type with Kansas, which was cool, but like I like, I like we talked about last last week. I don't know anything about softball.
Matt McCay (14:11):
so like Kansas and softball team could be playing in a parking lot. For all I know.
Devin Stewart (14:17):
they got a they didn't even get them a field. They just got a parking lot that they play, at, which I highly doubt.
I've been to those kind of facilit, those
those schools I have been to Kansas, but I've been to those schools, those power fives, and they don't play in parking lots. Even the chess team plays like on mahogany tables. So
(14:37):
mahogany mahogany.
So baseball real quick. It's a softball sucks. 4, 5 and one just
yeah. Well.
they're improving hopefully. Everything will be going a lot better.
hopefully, soon there'll be
doing a lot better. Okay? So I've got baseball notes.
(15:03):
That's basketball baseball. Here we go. Okay. So
okay, so baseball played. They played Bradley. They had a series with them this weekend.
and the funny thing is, they played them last Friday, and then they played on
Matt McCay (15:19):
on. They had a double. Maybe they had a double header, or I'm did. Or my notes are, yeah, they had
Devin Stewart (15:27):
okay? So they had to do a double header. Okay? So they play Bradley, and they swept them
5, 2,
5, 2 on the sixteenth, 5 nil on the eighteenth Sunday, and then 5 to 3 on the second game. There, go ahead, Matt.
Matt McCay (15:42):
They actually sorry to call you out. They they did lose the first one. They lost the first game. Bradley. Yeah, they did.
Devin Stewart (15:50):
Okay?
Matt McCay (15:51):
Just so, you know, just for your well, that's great.
Devin Stewart (15:58):
Where were you earlier? Matt? Gosh.
Matt McCay (16:01):
I was. I was texting you the last hour roll of your next one. I'm Bradley. Okay? So Western is got a game
Devin Stewart (16:10):
in Bowling Green at against Purdue Fort Wayne. That's at 3 Pm. Central.
and then on Saturday, Saturday they'll play Purdue Fort Wayne.
It's a freaking blah blah! Blah! That's a double header. Yeah, it's it's a double header in this weekend series
so they'll start that at one Pm. And then they'll have another 4 Pm.
(16:31):
And then on Sunday they play at one Pm. Against Purdy Fort Wayne. All of those are on Espn. 1027. You can listen to those there and then. On Tuesday, the twenty-seventh Western is going to be playing Uk.
The University of Kentucky, 4 Pm. Central and Lexington. That's on the Sec network, or also 102.7 Espn radio.
(16:56):
so you can always check those out. Yes. So you know what
I will say after you said that they lost to Bradley. That makes a lot more sense. Why, everybody was up in arms the other day.
Matt McCay (17:10):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (17:11):
yeah, this isn't right. Dude.
Matt McCay (17:14):
Oh, wk, sports isn't right then.
I mean, it says they lost 2 to 5 to Bradley
there are 3. Yeah.
Devin Stewart (17:24):
Well, I'll tell you what it was. I will tell you exactly what it was.
I probably pulled it off of the results part
on the their little. When you click onto wk sports and then you go into baseball, it has it has it 5 to 2, and I guess I just in my brain. I was like, of course, we're not losing to them. And I switched. So
Matt McCay (17:47):
yeah, well, it was it was kind of
I mean, I was kinda like -oh, when they lost that first one. You know. It's like Bradley is not very good, whatever. You wanna start out. Well, anyway, they won the last 2, and then they beat Lipscomb sound like they were kind of experimenting with some pictures and stuff like that. So let me start 3 and one like you can't expect
(18:10):
perfection in baseball. So you know, you wanna series, ipf, W, well, actually, it's not ipf w it's it used to be. Apparently they split the school, whatever Purdue Fort Wayne is not very good at all. They were terrible. Last year I've got pulled up. They were like
13 and 43 last year.
(18:31):
so really bad and so Western hopefully can sweep that series and start out 7 and one at minimum 6 and 2 hopefully, you don't lose.
Devin Stewart (18:43):
I wanted to. II wanted to share this. I think, Matt, I think you shared it on Twitter or something
Detroit mercy and ui pooey.
Matt McCay (18:55):
So the University of Detroit mercy wins their first game of the season.
Devin Stewart (18:59):
and their lone fans stormed to the court. Which is the greatest thing in the history of the world.
Yeah. By the way, yeah, I think we we play their women's softball team. Isn't that the commitment? Yes, that's the next one we're playing still hilarious, though still hilarious.
Matt McCay (19:16):
Oh, good for goodness! That takes some guts.
Devin Stewart (19:18):
Honestly like I like, I could see that would be the Matt Mackay of Detroit. Mercy right there. Oh, definitely, 100, you yeah. Which actually, if you look at that little that screenshot it was like so there you go! There you go, man, it's got you!
(19:43):
II cried. Big time when we broke that street.
I mean it was I mean, I wasn't that emotional about it, but it was an emotional time, I mean, I understand. But the thing is, is like the atmosphere
around. The program was very lethargic at that point.
(20:03):
like, I remember, coaches like coaches prior and early in the season we're yelling and screaming, and then, when we get towards the end of the season, they were like, you know, who cares.
you know, I mean, they were still yelling and screaming at the players. But the energy was not the same.
Matt McCay (20:19):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (20:20):
it's like, we're, you know, we're
2 and 8, you know, whatever it's like, who cares?
And it's just like but
the funny thing for me! At the end of the season, alright, towards the end of that season was, Ellison would hang out in the training room some
like he started talking to like the trainers he's like, Hey, how are you doing? And I remember before that, like I wouldn't even say anything to him.
(20:46):
cause he'd just walk around. He's like, and you're like.
Okay, you know. Yeah, he's head coach like he complains that I wore a levash drafest t-shirt one day.
not even getting yeah, 'cause it had a bull on the front.
Matt McCay (21:02):
I didn't even think about. I didn't make the connection. I didn't make the connection to Texas or nothing. It says, leave our Strauss on it.
Devin Stewart (21:08):
And he said something to my boss, who
told me, hey? You can't wear college shirts, other college shirts. And I'm like this isn't a college shirt. It's a Jean brand. Well. we're a Western shirt. Okay.
You're paying for school, right? Okay.
anyway, that's my 2 cents. Alright. So something I hate more than being told what T-shirts to wear is Middle Tennessee.
Matt McCay (21:33):
Oh, yeah. So I mean.
Devin Stewart (21:39):
like, I'll tell you something.
We've got a lot, Matt. Between Matt. Now, we've got several stories about middle
like, currently I screwed up yesterday at work. And so I have a splinter in my thumb. Okay?
Matt McCay (21:56):
And I like it more than I like middle.
Devin Stewart (22:00):
I'm just saying like, and it hurts just to do stuff with my thumb right now. So
what stuff do you do normally do with your thumb that you can't. Now, Devin.
you know. Okay. Well, anyway,
I remember course.
(22:21):
favorite memory, probably, and and the middle rivalry. Rivalry means more to me, and I think at least our generation meant
because of the hatred between us when we first made the transition into comp. The end of the Sun Belt, and and all that, you know.
Bobby, rainy scoring and overtime, putting this over the top with storm in that field which I don't think you may end up in there that year.
Matt McCay (22:49):
Yeah. Well.
Middle, that was middle.
Devin Stewart (23:00):
That was that was that was a crazy one.
Let's see. I think, a couple of years later it was probably one of my last seasons when we played middle at middle.
Matt McCay (23:13):
went to like double or triple overtime.
Devin Stewart (23:17):
I don't remember that one. But what I was gonna say was, they always put the locker room like right by the concession stand, or like an old concession stand like. It's always the worst facilities.
And like we have literally like one of those
plastic fences that goes around us. And there's like a little opening. And that's where we go in and out, and some dude tried to walk in the locker room drunk, and Coach Welles had to pick. Had to kick him out.
(23:41):
Do you remember that? - I don't remember that.
Oh, yeah, that was hilarious, well, I mean, another part is is like the training room was just
outside the locker room. Nothing over the top. There's just you just sitting out there and open.
(24:04):
which in the summer it was nice. cause there it's whatever. But
Matt McCay (24:10):
yeah, it was not. It was not the best facility. I remember, like you talk about the emotion of it like I was thinking about even big picture like other sports, too, because Western
Western beaten middle
for sure, in 2,009 and basketball to go to the Champion to go to the tournament, and then Western Western beat middle for our first win
(24:36):
and then we we beat middle, and it's like double triple overtime at middle one time when Bob were to touchdown. And then.
yeah, there was a lot of middle
stuff going on Middle Western stuff from like oh, 6 to 2,000,
(24:58):
12 or 13. Yeah, there was like real serious middle, like, you know, like Western. You know, the 25 days of triumph with Ray Harper, or whatever, and Western comes back from 10 down on middle on Senior Day.
and it was freaking crazy in there. I don't know if you read that game, or remember it, or anything but I think it might have already been gone. But yeah, but it was.
(25:23):
It was sold out.
you know Western had sucked all year had a losing record, but everybody got excited, and it was so loud. In there went freaking crazy. You know Western gets a breakaway to kind of seal the game off and dunks it actually after the buzzer, and it just goes breaking nuts in there.
And it was just
(25:46):
that that built the emotion of middle for me. But I was thinking of like stories of
stuff that happened like there was one time it was the year that we went defeated. We went on 12 right. We're down at middle, and we got murdered.
Devin Stewart (26:01):
Yes, but, like
Matt McCay (26:03):
the the
what honestly makes you hate. Middle is that some of the people are just freaking idiots like we're we're in front of like a lot of times. You had student sections right behind you, especially in the Sun Belt, where they didn't have the rules
that she couldn't have a student section right behind the football team.
anyway. Yeah, who who needs middle head. They're like, you know, middle aged
(26:30):
season ticket holders behind our bench.
and they were worse than some of the students. Sections like Brandon Smith was getting taped up by one of the trainer girls. I don't wanna name everybody's name and stuff, but like.
anyway, he he was the quarterback right? He's getting taped up, and they're asking the trainer girls if you know, if they've had intercourse with them, like whatever
Devin Stewart (26:58):
it was like. Seriously.
Matt McCay (27:02):
you're like 55 years old when you're asking college kids like, Come on. just classless crap like that. It was just like, Wow, this is.
And then my favorite all time was we went to a basketball game. This was around, oh, 809,
(27:22):
2,010! Something like that. There was like a 12 year old baseball team
that was sitting down low right by the basketball goal. And then the Western fans usually sit behind the basket
and we were cheering and stuff. and
their coach says, I was like, Wow, joby, shit hail! And then one of his players
Devin Stewart (27:45):
and several the other ones, stand up and double bird us like these 12 year olds are flipping us off.
Matt McCay (27:54):
Are you old enough to cast like? Come on.
you! Do you know what that means.
So I pulled up. I pulled up a couple of the seasons.
Devin Stewart (28:03):
and you were talking about the Owen 12 year. That was 2,962 to 24. Yeah? Oh, that was awful
through a hill, Mary, and halftime, to make it even worse, like we were within
Matt McCay (28:18):
10 or something or 14 or something. They threw a hell, Mary, and caught it, and we went down like 21 or something. K. One. Jake
Devin Stewart (28:28):
had a hundred 30 yards in that game. I cannot. I don't know who the running back was. It? Says Smith. He had 34 yards.
and Jake Gable had 100 yards receiving. Jack Doyle had 80 yards against navy
that year.
that is wild. He had 60 yards against Troy, I mean, like some of these are just crazy stats.
Matt McCay (28:52):
Yeah, those 34 years that might have been Brandon Smith leading Russia.
Devin Stewart (28:58):
He might have been that year. I don't know. And of course, like we played fi you, we had 118 yards like 8, Jake said. 118 yards passing like that's just crazy stance.
And that was the same year we played Lane Kiffens, Tennessee.
Oh.
yeah, 63 to 7. God! Those are horrible years. We had them after that first quarter man
(29:23):
0 to 0. We played middle and basketball. It was 67 57. What you we won by that year, and that was the the Ty Rogers shot year. That was the San Diego, you know. We made it to the Sweet 16 that year.
So that was a great year 2,007, 2,008 season
(29:47):
great years to celebrate Western and tell Middle to suck it, and it would be middle for the championship that year and the next year in basketball for the championship
Matt McCay (30:08):
in the championship. That was the the year that we went and played Illinois, and then almost beat Zaga.
Devin Stewart (30:14):
cause I was there for all that stuff. So it's pretty cool.
Yeah, that's I mean, I remember being in the I remember being in the old side of the stadium and beating
sorry, went Blank when we beat. I guess it was Drake with the Ty Rogers shot like that was just that is my Western basketball like all time favorite memory right there, just watching that it's like, Oh, my! Gosh.
(30:38):
So we'll talk some lady top basketball real quick like I said earlier, I kinda screwed up and forgot to put the New Mexico state
on there.
Excuse me, but we'll just kind of go through this real quick. Lady tops ended up losing both those games
(30:58):
wk fell to Utab 73, 68,
and they also lost to New Mexico, State 64, 61, a little bit better. But New Mexico State essentially dominated that entire game.
You know, stats here show it all, you know, Western pretty much
(31:21):
filed more and Youtube hit more free throws.
you know, 2020 points there, 20 easy points.
and you know. and if Western had less fowls it would. It might have been a different game.
Matt McCay (31:36):
You know, that's only 5 points difference there. So. Yeah, well, I you know I don't know if I let me see if you care if I try to share. No, I can't share my screen together. Allow me to. No, there's no no, I won't let you know it will not be allowed. Okay, fair enough.
Devin Stewart (31:52):
Let me see if I let me see if I can let you but go ahead.
Matt McCay (31:56):
cause I had the box for pulled up. I think it'll show a little bit what what happened in this game. Just real quickly. Basically, I mean, Western had a 16 point
halftime lead against Utep.
Devin Stewart (32:12):
and
Matt McCay (32:14):
Utop needed 2 quarters where they scored 10 more than western to win by 5 they out scored Western 22 to 12, and then 2615, and the fourth
to win by 5. So basically Western had it in their hands.
and just
they just
completely melted it down. It was like
(32:37):
it. It was the the oddest thing like I was. I was distracted doing something and look down, and was like, Oh, Westerns in control, whatever. And then I look back down and they're losing. And I'm like, what?
Devin Stewart (32:49):
Where did this come from? Like what just happened?
Basically like just to start the fourth just to start the fourth quarter or fourth period, or whatever you want to call it.
That's when Utip made their move and basically overtook them. But Western dominated
for essentially what? 3 quarters of the game at least. Yeah, I mean, it was it was. There was no.
Matt McCay (33:10):
there was no reason that they
it's just like the 23 point loss to guys have like you just can't let that happen. And the lady tops have had that happen a few times now.
And they've gone from having this pretty nice record.
So now they're only they also lost in New Mexico State. They're 15 and 12 and really, really struggling
(33:37):
lately and cannot win on the road. They're 6 and 6
in conference, U.S.A. After starting 3, and O, so 3 and 6, including some pretty bad losses.
And you know New Mexico state is right there.
Knock it on the door to catch them, you know, and it kind of helps when you hand them 2 wins.
(34:01):
Be able to possibly catch you.
They're not gonna have a tie breaker against New Mexico State. If they
if they end up tied with them. It's just really rough
and Western honestly like, if you look at their schedule. you know my dad and I were talking about this. they could honestly lose every single one of their games the rest of the way they have 4 games left.
(34:24):
That's like middle Saturday at 110'clock on Espn. You.
Did they play at Low Tech, who obviously Western beat. But they were down 19 before they came back. That was the game of weeks ago, and it's on the road.
And it's yeah, it's at latte. And then, fi you, who only has 2 losses in conference, and then liberty, who's probably paying, playing about as well or better than fi you right now. They
(34:54):
They played Western was down and came back on liberty in the beginning of the conference season.
but liberty since then.
you know, they they really were supposed to be better than they've been this year, but they're now 7 and 4 in conference, U.S.A. They're only 12 and 14 overall. But they've really really been playing well since, basically, since they've lost the Western and now they're they're actually well ahead of Western, and it's gonna take
(35:23):
a miracle for Western even. Catch them.
And you've got 5 teams cluster with Westroom from 4 to 8
that are within 3 games 2 and a half games. Excuse me
Devin Stewart (35:36):
2 games in the lost column, so Western could easily lose every single one of these games, and end up the 7 or 8 seat.
Matt McCay (35:43):
Yeah, it's not good. And Collins was looking like Greg Collins, head coach Greg Collins was looking like he was gonna easily cruise on through to next year, and not have any issues in terms of like dealing with getting himself fired. But if he loses 4 in a row here and then craps out in the tournament.
(36:04):
I'm not sure how you keep them around after 6 years
mediocrity taking over a good program.
and that would mean Western has a losing record after having honestly the best roster he's had. I don't understand. And now, now you've
the bed with some of these teams that you could one you could be, you know, 8 and 4 right now in conference or something. and maybe have a chance to to lose a couple of these and be okay. Now you're looking at complete disaster. If you don't upset people.
(36:39):
and you need multiple upsets to get the 500.
Devin Stewart (36:43):
So do you know the last road game that Western one Western girls
off the top of your head? Any idea off the top of my head?
Matt McCay (36:53):
is it? Non-conference?
Devin Stewart (36:55):
Nope. Conference?
But they would be the first
Matt McCay (37:01):
Jacksonville State. Yes, it was Jacksonville State. We that was on January thirteenth. That was the last road when we've had.
Devin Stewart (37:10):
That's that's that's pretty upsetting. I mean. it's not something to be not something you wanna put on the wall, that's for sure.
But anyway, so Western gonna be playing mtu the girls will be playing the games. Gonna be on Espn. You like, Matt said. It's 11 am central time 12, noon, Eastern time
(37:33):
so support the tops that will be in diddle, and they will need your support. Cause this is, could be a lot of your support.
Matt McCay (37:44):
I honestly like, okay, first of all, it's a rivalry game. Here's what I would encourage people to do.
Go to both the girls game
110'clock, and then go down to the men's game at 6 30 in. In.
Make it a day and and go see the lady tops. The lady tops have a promotion where they're they're letting kids basically like play a role in the game day experience.
(38:13):
So some of them are like, gonna be like taking care of big red. Some of them are gonna be cheerleaders. Some of them are gonna be
like little managers or something like that. So it's kind of a cool thing. So go sign up. They've got stuff all over the lady talking Twitter and all that stuff. But it's kind of a cool opportunity.
And let's let's fill out. They'll see what happens. This arrival again. Right? It doesn't matter.
Devin Stewart (38:38):
My brain is going completely, hey? Wired. I like how bad this is. Like they got kids in the training room trying to take bankles. They're like, this isn't gonna work sherry.
What's wrong with you, and the kids like ate, and she's like I tried to tape you. Well, you didn't do it right.
(38:58):
What's wrong with my shoes? Oh, these aren't my shoes. What's wrong with you
Matt McCay (39:03):
unless
Devin Stewart (39:05):
what's Greg Collins? Personal assistant? I could just see him. He's, you know.
I mean, I hate to be this way, but you know, girls, it end up losing the game or whatever, and he's like. What's wrong with you, Tiffany. I told you to call that time out. Where were you on that?
(39:28):
But anyway I mean, it's it's really it's not gonna look good for the lady tops. This weekend especially gets empty issue being, you know, essentially undefeated in conference. And then they're gonna be playing logic on the 28, which is next Wednesday.
So we'll talk a little optic like Matt said, law, tech Western girls ended up. You know they were pretty on top of it last time. Almost blew it, but
(39:53):
they could. You know they haven't won a road game since January, which is a very disappointing thing to see. That's that's the one game that you should win. I mean, latte
Matt McCay (40:05):
is 3 and 8 in conference.
If you do not want to join them at the bottom of the conference, you need to beat them, find a way.
You were better than them when you play them. You just came out playing like you didn't care, and got down, and then woke up, got pissed off and won. But the thing is that like, we just need to see some consistency. And they're just. I don't know if it's their their Mojo is gone. Obviously they really do struggle without occasion.
(40:35):
But it's not an excuse to lose. To some of these teams
they have no business losing to. They still should maybe have like 3 losses in conference, and they have 6. They lost Sam Houston. They lost in Mexico state twice. You should have gotten at least one of those Utab.
you know, and and here's the scary thing is, there's other games that they could have also lost
(40:58):
like Utub. The first time at diddle was only one, because destiny salary found a way, one on one to beat them by one. There were some other games that they barely won
so honestly could be 4, 8, 3, and 9 right now. and really be staring down the barrel of a complete disaster.
(41:20):
But it they they were logging in a few moments and
have done enough to be at 500. But, my goodness, they they're gonna need to play their best basketball to to get to 500
and conference after after looking like this was the year I'm so frustrated.
Devin Stewart (41:39):
Yeah, it's
Matt McCay (41:41):
I thought this was the year to be like, you know what we're gonna be right there with middle. We're gonna go to the championship game. We're gonna see what happens against middle.
No.
no, evidently not dude.
Devin Stewart (41:54):
And the bad thing is is like these last 4 games. You need to Winlottech like you said. But Mtsu is comfortably in the driver's seat and basically just pumped on the gas and
hit the gnaws. I was. Gonna say, whatever whatever fast and the furious meme you want to use, they're basically crushing everybody, and then you got latte like we said, and then you've got
(42:22):
Sorry. Then you've got liberty, and then you've got fi you or switch that whichever way.
I'm sorry. I was just pulling up the Western and
or the Mtsu, you know, they beat ut 56 to 41.
Matt McCay (42:40):
Yeah, like that is, some of these numbers are wild to look at. Yeah, they have not lost they. They've won all their games in conference, right? They've had one game in conference, U.S.A. That they haven't won by double digits, and that was the very first one against Law tech on the road.
Every other game they've played
since has been no less than 11. Most of them have been by 20 or more
(43:06):
like 30 or 40.
Devin Stewart (43:09):
They've lost to Princeton, which I'm gonna say they were probably just outsmarted. They got beat by Michigan, and then they lost to Grand Canyon University, which I think is that the Phoenix University one or no.
that's not Phoenix University. Oh, sorry. Fi! You will be the second to last game, and then Liberty's last game. But all 3 of those, you know, Mtsu fi! You and Liberty. They're pretty comfortable up in the top of the conference.
(43:36):
You know. Their seats are pretty much reserved up there.
and you know, if you can get an upset that would be amazing. On, you know, any of one of those teams middle would be the greatest. It would feel the best. But you know at this point I think you take what you can get.
Matt McCay (43:54):
Yeah, I mean
liberty. Honestly. liberty is reachable. But Western is going to have to win
at least 3 out of 4. So they're gonna have to win everything but middle, which is really tough to ask. I mean, if I, you Western, terrible
(44:14):
Western, was comparable to Fi. You know they lost 5, 10, and it was like a a game that was within their reach.
But I mean they're gonna have to win. They they're gonna have to play better than they've been playing and liberty is gonna have to lose a few games, including lose
at least one other game
for Wester to sneak in there. So
(44:37):
yeah, it's not. It's not a super bright looking outlook. The chances are that Western perhaps falls a little bit. I think they're gonna fall.
that probably this
the 6 or 7 spot. I don't think they'll fall into 8
but like
if they go one and 3 like say, they'd be law tech right? And then those to middle
(45:03):
and Liberty and Fi u
The other teams are gonna there's gonna be some teams that are within a couple games.
They're playing each other. Somebody's gonna win a few of those. A few of them are gonna obviously have to lose. So I think it's it's pretty likely that Western stays out of the 8 9 matchup.
(45:26):
But II don't. It's gonna be tough for them to get to go 2 and 2 here.
and that's heartbreaking that that's where we are for me.
because, like I said, Man
January, I was feeling like this, was it? You know this is a chance for calls to break through.
And now, it's just like hoping that they can get to the semis.
Devin Stewart (45:50):
Yeah. I mean, it's kind of like football season was this year, too. It was very disappointing. But
yeah, I mean, we still made it to a ball game, you know. We still there were bright spots in it. But you know I will just stick around. Let's keep keep watching. Keep listing, and we'll keep talking about it and given our opinions. So men's basketball.
(46:12):
the guys they're gonna be based in the same
very interesting challenge. They're gonna be playing middle.
So I really literally just had a brain for it. And I was like. Well, the Fi women's is up at the top. Well, I'd already switched it to the men's.
and FIU. Men's is very comfortably in the bottom. And I was like, wait a second. What happened? But anyway. so Western, I want to share my screen real quick for the
(46:41):
little blurb. I did.
Oh, there we go! I was pretty proud of this one, and
oh, here we go toppers when toppers buried the minors 90 to 80, and honestly like, in my opinion, I'm thinking, you know, the men had such a strong second half against you, Tip
(47:03):
being able to essentially just bury them
and just dominate that first half cause I mean, first half. You know.
the guys just did not have that, the points that they needed, whereas you know, like you said we were talking last week. Matt said. That you know Utep is very, a very steely team, and I was joking about them stealing stuff off the court. Well, they hit 12 steals and Western had 6.
(47:29):
But you know even our defensive rebounds is what kind of helped us to. We had, you know, 34 there, where they had 24. That allows you to get a couple of extra turnaround points. And you know, being able to shoot 56% from field goal.
That's over half over half your shots you're making. And you know you're hitting about every third of your 3 pointers to.
(47:52):
That's good. That's everything's going really well there. So
you know.
it's it was very productive. It was very it's something we needed just to go ahead and clean up and show, you know. Hey? You know, the guys can take care of business. We can do this
and let me see here. And then we had New Mexico State, which I did not put in my notes. I've completely skipped over the aggies.
(48:16):
but Western ended up beating the aggies 72 to 58, and basically just dominating in the second half. And that is. I mean, that is what we need to see?
Matt McCay (48:29):
Absolutely. So what were your thoughts, Buddy? Yeah. So first of all, u, tip. I thought first of all, it was improvement over the first
meeting not just because they won, but also the the way that Utah matches up with Western is interesting because
Western speeds everybody up and Utip
(48:53):
takes advantage of speed in a unique way that they steal and create more possessions.
And so it really kind of feeds into a bad matchup for Western. So the fact that especially defensively so the fact that Western held them to 80 after giving up 93. The first game, you know, is obviously a huge improvement. You look at that said, well, crap! Western defense was horrible, this game well.
(49:19):
the pace was so high that we held them to the low forties and shooting and obviously shot, you know, nearly 57% which I didn't realize we shot that high against Utah.
Yeah. But I thought that was kind of an interesting
little tidbit there. And also we did a little bit better job than we did the first time, taking care of the ball. I think we've
(49:41):
calm down a little bit slow, the pace down just a little bit. so that we can take care of the ball a little bit more, and I think it's paying dividends
and you're starting to see it. A. It's affecting the pace, you know the fact that we've won 2 out of 3 games, holding people less than 60
for the first time all year. Those were the 2 lowest defensive points allowed efforts in the whole year, 2 out of the last 3 games.
(50:10):
So set 58 was the lowest all year against a a team that we had a complete meltdown against the last time. So it was really nice.
you know, like, honestly, the the first part of the New Mexico State game. I think it.
I think we were kind of snake bit like we were missing some some layups, little short floaters and stuff just weren't going down.
(50:37):
Ball was bouncing weird stuff like that, and for us to go into halftime tied
like we all looked around. We're like dude. How? How are we tied right now like that was about as bad as we could have played, and we were tied. and then they we came out, and
I think well, I think even before halftime the the intensity wasn't there for the first
(51:01):
10 or 12 min, and they started picking it up. And it was really noticeable that the effort started picking up.
Yeah, I think I think that made the biggest difference and turned it around from Western was down pretty good. I think it was 9 or 10
in the first half against the Mexico state, and then ended up winning by
(51:22):
14. So it's just really nice to see Western win in different ways.
you know. Against the Mexico state. II think we had like 11 turnovers, only
yeah. And so it wasn't one of those like
crazy paces where where they're just running back and forth, or whatever it was, more, of a grind type of game. And the Mexico State did a good job slowing us down.
(51:51):
but it didn't matter. I mean what we we held them to, what? 25 in the second half, I think if it was 33, I think they had 25.
Devin Stewart (52:01):
yeah, at a half. Yeah, it was 33. So yeah, 25 points. That's I mean, you can't beat that really
Matt McCay (52:13):
good luck beating a team like Western, they can score so you know another thing about New Mexico state that was awesome, is, it? Was so balanced. If you look at the scoring.
you know Don Mc. Here didn't have to go for 25 points he had. I think I think he only had 10, or they have 10 or 12.
let me look here. 10. Yeah, he had 10, but he was still efficient. He still did other stuff. He took care of the ball. Only had one turnover.
(52:43):
You know your point, guards combined, for like 2 turnovers. You know you you had. Jack Ableing came in, made some nice plays, made one amazing defensive play.
Has a few assist
Christian Landers, your other guy that played some point guard, and then Don Mchenry. All 3 of those guys
(53:04):
did a good job with the ball and took care of things, and so when when your point guards are taking care of the ball. You have a good offense
Devin Stewart (53:12):
and efficient offense where you're not wasting possessions. And so
Matt McCay (53:16):
it's nice to see Western be able to win different ways. Because before the last 3 games
I don't think we knew that Western could win in like a 60 70 point type of pace game. We? It was basically like, Western needs to score 80, or they're going to lose.
Devin Stewart (53:31):
Yeah. So those that might lose, anyway.
Matt McCay (53:34):
But now the defense has really picked it up.
Devin Stewart (53:36):
Yeah, I mean.
and this is where you want to see them towards the end of the season.
I mean, you definitely want to see them coming out strong and, like you said, that is the least amount of points. The last one we had with this view of points was 59 points. Jacksonville scored.
So I mean, there is no other team. And I even kind of scroll back because I thought, Well, that's a weird number to throw out there. But yeah, you were 100 right on that. I'll give you that one
(54:05):
58 points so you got middle coming up. and I'm sorry, but you want to metaphorically put their head in the toilet and give them a swirly. Let's just finish this good and strong, and just
dunk them in there and just let it go.
Matt McCay (54:19):
here's the thing, though. Middle is actually playing pretty good basketball, so look at the record. They're 11 and 15, whatever. I don't know how they're gonna do tonight, or well, yesterday, if it's Thursday and you're just now open in this
but
(54:41):
I don't know how they're gonna do Wednesday night, but they're riding a 3 game, winning streak. If they beat Jacksonville State. That would be obviously be on a 4 game, winning streak either way. They've played well, they wanna road game at fi you, which is not that impressive? But it's still
you know what they did something that's tough to do and comfort U.S.A. And this one on the road.
(55:04):
you know. Like, if you look at how Western is expected to do at Fi, you. They're barely a 50% favorite to win. It's like 53%, whatever it is. It's it's difficult. It's difficult to win on the road, and they did that, and then they beat you, and they beat Mexico state and and they have a guy that scored at least 26 points the last couple of games. He had 41 against Utah.
(55:30):
So and they have 2 other guys that can that can play. And they have some good players. So I think
a
don't look at middles. Records, say, oh, 11 to 15 Western kill them?
Probably they should. But you know what
little is playing pretty decent basketball, and they're gonna be confident they're gonna be playing at home.
(55:53):
So I think that one thing is Western fancy to go down there to middle unless
paint Murphysboro red. Yeah. But
let's take this game seriously, and if Western can win this game, it really puts pressure on
Sam Houston and law tech to keep winning because
(56:15):
I think that we could see Law Tech and Sam Houston stumble here. They've got to go out West this week or next week. Both of them have to go out west
and it's an opportunity.
Yeah, I have to pull that one up. Western is expected to be is that 63 win percentage against Mtsu.
Devin Stewart (56:36):
I don't know, you know, as far as I mean, cause. Honest, we've said this 100 times before. But with you know the the interns that Espn who knows how everything's gonna work out. But but like you were saying, latte is going to Utip and New Mexico state.
(56:57):
and I know they're not the best. But
you know, it's hard to play.
Matt McCay (57:03):
It's hard to play, almost it is. Yes, it is
Devin Stewart (57:07):
So you know there's that. So maybe
I mean there. Is it possible to have an upset? Honestly, I wouldn't put my money on it. But for as far as you type New Mexico State, I think Western could do. Okay. But
we'll see. I mean, that's a long trip.
Matt McCay (57:22):
and hopefully. They don't pay for plane tickets. They make them ride on bus, so that'll help us even more. That's 4 more days if you, if you look at the
U.S.A. Standings, and how it works out. Which, by the way, go check out my article on.
Did a state of conference, U.S.A. And it really breaks this all down for you. But Sam Houston needs to lose 2 games for Western to pass them in standings, at least, so if Western loses one, they need. Sam Houston lose 3 because Sam Houston has a tiebreaker. They also only have 3 losses, and Western has 4.
(58:00):
But if if Sam Houston goes out West, which I believe they go out West this week.
Devin Stewart (58:06):
Yeah, I don't know. Let me check Sam
now, like I said, law tech does. But I don't know about Sam Houston, Sam Houston travel partners. So gotcha. So they go to New Mexico state first.
Matt McCay (58:21):
Yeah. So Sam, sorry. Go ahead. That's all right. So yeah. So Sam plays New Mexico State person, then Utah. Both of them are going on the road this week.
If
Mexico State and Utah
can can win if they can win all those games great, but they could win half of them.
(58:43):
It really puts Western in a spot where, if we can beat middle. Then we're right on even footing, with everybody putting pressure on those 2 to keep pace. If they both. If they both sweep.
then Western is almost certainly gonna end up being the 2 of the 3 seed
and you know, not gonna have a chance at that number one seat. But Western really needs is to stay out of the 3 spot because the 3 spot
(59:12):
has to win 3 games in a row in 3 days.
the the one, the one on the 2 see? Get a break. They play on Wednesday, and then they play Friday, Saturday. So you have a huge difference between the 2 and the 3 spot
and
then the first seat also plays the winner of the 8 9 game
(59:34):
on Wednesday. So if you can get in the one seat. It's a huge advantage, if not, get into the 2 spot and avoid having to play 3 games in 3 days, because it
it's a big disadvantage for 3 through 6 who have to play 3 games in a row in 3 days.
Devin Stewart (59:52):
I mean a yeah. It's a I mean, that's kind of nice that they've got the tournament built like that. But yes, so man's will be playing. Let me pull up this real quick so we can look at this
so men's will be playing on Saturday, 7 30 Pm. Mtsu on Espm. Plus
(01:00:15):
and that is at Mtsu. So like Matt said, it's not that far of a trip from Bowling Green. So if you're in the Bowling Green area, you definitely go support the tops. It's big game. It's big environment.
It's middle. So just you got a couple of hours there, and then you can leave not a big deal. And then next Wednesday they play logic. 8 pm. On Espn. Plus so
(01:00:36):
big games. Big couple of games coming up so definitely support the tops. And like, I said, baseball's got their things that's going on. This weekend. Softball's got their things going this weekend, and it is a wild
Matt McCay (01:00:50):
a wild weekend for sports. Go ahead. You got something else. One thing. Yeah. The the law tech game. Wednesday. Okay.
I know there's church. I know there's other stuff going on for some people whatever.
But we need to pack out dell arena Wednesday night against latte. Okay, it's the last game of the season. It is a battle
(01:01:14):
to see who can get possibly win conference. U.S.A. Certainly could be for the 2 seed. If Western wins out we get the 2 seed and avoid the 3, 6 matchup
and and get that day break like we need. It's not as important to get that one seat, but we need to be logitech, or it puts us in
(01:01:36):
a a really bad position to even try to get the 2 seat.
So we need everybody to get there. Logic is really good up 100 team in the country
really big opportunity for Western to stake claim on converts, U.S.A. To establish dominance over law tech.
to have momentum heading into the tournament, knowing that we're playing well, all good things could be going on in one game, so it's time to show up. There's no excuses.
(01:02:06):
Students need to show up.
Old people need to show up whatever get you, grandma. get you 18 year old. Bring your kids whatever let's pack it all out. And let's let's be latte.
Devin Stewart (01:02:20):
Yeah, let's be classy, though.
Let's be classy. Don't be like metal. Be classy.
Stay classy. Everybody so yes, check check the towel rack all their articles. They're gonna keep us up to date on everything going on and be back next week. We'll talk more Western sports and then we will update you all as far as everything goes on that front.
(01:02:42):
But as always, guys go, chops
Matt McCay (01:02:45):
go tops
bigoodle.
Devin Stewart (01:02:55):
There we go.
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