March 21, 2024 • 52 mins
This week, Devin 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 unprecedented episode, we talk about WKU making the NCAA March Madness Tournament for the first time in over 10 years (11 to be precise). We also talk CUSA tournament and the atmosphere down there.
Thanks for reading The Towel Rack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Devin Stewart (00:02):
Welcome into another. RedOUT, podcast Devin, Matt, and we're talking a lot of basketball news. Obviously, Western has finally made the big dance after 10 years.
Matthew McCay (00:13):
So, yeah.
Devin Stewart (00:14):
All praise be to Steve. Let's GOOO.
so real quick. Here, I've got a little bit of softball news. Baseball news.
looks like softball, had a series with New Mexico State not this past week, but the week before.
and ended up
kind of splitting. They beat them on the eighth, 2 to one they lost in oh, and 9 on that Saturday, the ninth, and then on the tenth, they beat them 11. Nothing in 5 innings
(00:47):
for those of you on Youtube, you will see the little infographic, and then on the thirteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, let's see, they they lost on the thirteenth to Eku.
They beat F.
Matthew McCay (00:58):
You!
Devin Stewart (00:58):
Web them from the fifteenth to the seventeenth. And then today, as we're recording on the twentieth, they will play Morehead at 5 30 pm. Central standard time.
And then, of course, we'll post the rest of those games later on in the episode for the for the others that are watching.
Now, quickly, baseball.
(01:20):
Just some updated scores here, and I'll post the infographic later with the
excuse me with the with the upcoming events for those of you all who are interested.
Western played Austin P. On the twelfth and 1 12 to 9, and then they played on the Fifteenth and Sixteenth and Seventeenth. They had a series with southeast Missouri State
(01:41):
and then they played Southern Indiana yesterday, the Nineteenth.
But Western ended up, beating southeast Missouri State. On the fifteenth they lost on the sixteenth.
and on the seventeenth they won 72, and then west. They also played Southern Indiana and 1 5 to 3 yesterday. So
(02:04):
that was a really quick recap for a lot of those. But.
Matthew McCay (02:08):
Worthy real quick. The the Austin P. Win was actually a time to look at it. Say, all, Austin P. Whatever they're actually quite good, and they have some quality wins so beating them was a nice victory as well as I think we've won 9 out of the last 11. So tops are looking pretty decent in baseball and softball.
Devin Stewart (02:28):
I know that a lot of our baseball
people were really excited about that Win, and
I was kind of like you were. I was like Austin P. But I mean I mean, it is a big deal for Western, and to be able to, you know, to be able to beat them. I mean, it's a great thing.
So
women's basketball.
(02:49):
I know we're really getting into it real quick. But this is kind of the meat and potatoes of the episode.
so to speak. Lady Tops did not do very well in the conference. U.S.A. tournament. That's kind of like what we predicted would happen
they played liberty. I believe it was last Wednesday. If I'm not mistaken.
Matthew McCay (03:08):
Wrote.
Devin Stewart (03:09):
And that was
That was at 2 o'clock.
3, 2 pm. Central, 3 pm.
Eastern time.
And I I did actually watch this game, so I have redeemed myself for some of you. I am.
Matthew McCay (03:26):
We are somewhat of a true fan now.
Devin Stewart (03:30):
I shall go. Give my.
Matthew McCay (03:32):
What?
Devin Stewart (03:32):
For go tops, so I can redeem myself in the eyes of the hilltop or church. But anyway, I.
Matthew McCay (03:40):
When we say 5, 5 songs and a and a couple of go tops.
Devin Stewart (03:43):
Yes, I did have one complaint.
and I I don't know if it was just me, or if you saw this to Matt. But liberty, smuta, that the big center that I mean.
Matthew McCay (03:56):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (03:57):
Like 8 foot tall. Was it just me, or does she have like a bunch of over the backs.
Matthew McCay (04:03):
She there was some stuff in there that yeah, she she definitely had a few moments and everything. I mean.
ultimately, I feel like.
really, you know, we we did everything. I I definitely didn't leave thinking the Refs did anything.
Devin Stewart (04:20):
No, no! What I mean.
Matthew McCay (04:21):
And there were some issues. You know. You got the quarter final. So you have some of your lower end refs still in the tournament.
But I mean it is what it is. I don't. I don't feel like that costs us the game. I think it was just
liberty was better, and we just had some trouble hitting a few shots. We had chances for about 5 or 6 min in a row. The tire take the lead, and we would turn it over, or we would just miss a shot
(04:46):
or whatever. And so I mean individually, for that one game you have to like, the effort that they put out. I mean, they played
well, besides shooting really. I mean, they they didn't do anything
awful. They
they just had some trouble making some buckets.
(05:06):
They forced. A bunch of turnovers didn't turn over that much. I mean, you look at the statistics. It really was just kind of
shooting really and there was a and rebounding, I think, was the other one.
Which was a problem all year. So
proud of them, you know.
Devin Stewart (05:25):
Like the first like, and that was the hard part for me watching. It is the first 2 min of the first quarter. There was like no score.
Matthew McCay (05:32):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (05:33):
0 to 0. And I mean there was 4 opportunities for both teams, literally one back, one back, and then somebody scored. And it was like, Oh, my gosh, this is this is gonna be a long game.
But oh, what's her name?
Not that lady
(05:55):
who is the girl.
Matthew McCay (05:58):
Or Wku, or.
Devin Stewart (06:00):
Liberty, Bailey Jordan Bailey. I'm sorry she dude. That girl could shoot lights out.
Matthew McCay (06:07):
Yeah.
they have some good players.
Devin Stewart (06:10):
Well, the thing with her, I mean, and this was at least my opinion.
You know you're watching a game when you're watching basketball, and somebody takes a 3 or whatever, and you go. Yeah, money.
She would throw those up dude, and it was like money
money like there was not a shot that there was maybe one or 2 that she threw up, that I was like, yeah in a chance.
(06:30):
But there's a several of those that she threw up, and I was like that's in that's in.
That was, I mean, she played really good, and I I can't fault them. They did a really great job.
Matthew McCay (06:41):
Yeah, she was 6. She took 9 shots and scored 17 points. That's pretty efficient.
Didn't even shoot a free throw. Just made 5 out of 6 threes and 6 out of 9 overall.
Devin Stewart (06:53):
Well, at least, Western was smart enough not to file the person that was having a really good hot streak of shooting. So
yeah.
Matthew McCay (07:03):
I mean, you know, it's just one of those things like
I don't know if you I assume they noticed it on the broadcast. I I don't know but Alexis Meade kind of tweaked an ankle and wasn't herself the whole game. You know. It was nice to see Destiny salary kind of bust out, and she almost had a double double
and nobody. Let's say we had 9 turnovers.
(07:26):
It's just when you shoot 35%. Let's see, yeah, 36, 37% for the game, and 27 from 3.
And then the opponent shoots 40 42 and 42
it's just tough to to overcome that. I mean
they just it was a it was a battle. You know. They had their chances
(07:52):
liberty had a lead and Western kind of fought back, and and really sat there with the opportunity to tie it for
several minutes late in the game, and just couldn't make it happen. You know. And so individually, you have to look at it and say.
That's a that's a good enough effort, and it's frustrating, because if you had found a way past liberty. You had 6 seed New Mexico States, and they're waiting for you to get to the
(08:17):
to the tournament finals. So it's just a missed opportunity
and typical of this year's Lady Topper team. Honestly, there were a lot of close calls
that could have gone the other way
in several of the games. And you know, just kinda a frustrating end to the season.
Devin Stewart (08:36):
Well, I mean, it is like you said we shot 36% from the field. We shot 41, or they shot 41. So that's 5% difference right? There, that is actually
we took 63 total shots. They took 55 we both shot. We both made 23 shots total.
(08:58):
So, you know, if we had made, you know, even 41% of those 63 shots, we're winning that game.
Matthew McCay (09:06):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (09:07):
Absolutely.
Matthew McCay (09:08):
And here's the other thing that that I think would get lost in the stats
was we forced 19 turnovers, but a lot of them weren't live ball turnovers. And so
you you ended up getting the ball. But then you reset, I guess a team that's way bigger than you and they get to set up their half court defense. And that's why, in a lot of ways we had trouble. We didn't have a ton of fast break points. I think we had.
(09:33):
I'm saying, here, fast break points. We have
with 4.
Yeah, 4 fast break points on 19 turnovers.
Devin Stewart (09:40):
In all.
Matthew McCay (09:41):
Lastly, let's just
terrible luck.
Devin Stewart (09:44):
I would think that Alexis Mead would have been the fast break person, and with her tweaking her ankle, it kind of I won't say limited, but it it shortened our roster. As far as you know. Fast break points go, you know.
Matthew McCay (09:57):
Yeah, absolutely that she was. She's one. And then a Casey haste would be your other one besides Destiny salary. Casey only played 13 min, because she's coming off injury.
Inexplicably. Karis Allen played 5 min. I have no idea why she didn't play more minutes against the bigger team.
(10:17):
you know, the some of the people that you might think would get out and transition the only person that really had a good game
was destiny. Salary often.
Devin Stewart (10:28):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (10:30):
So
it's just
It's it's frustrating to to see it fizzle out like it did at the end of the year.
And I think it. It calls into question.
Greg Collins, which
I don't know. If you want to transition to that article.
Devin Stewart (10:48):
Go right ahead!
Matthew McCay (10:49):
From Jeff nations from Bowling Green. Daily News. First of all, I met Jeff
down there in Huntsville, and it was he's a real nice guy was super helpful with us, and.
Devin Stewart (11:01):
You. Certainly I saw what you said off the air.
Matthew McCay (11:04):
Right
and well.
Devin Stewart (11:06):
Completely kidding. I'm just messing with you.
Matthew McCay (11:09):
Jeff.
you, you know the truth, anyway.
if you ever listen to this. Thanks for listen but but anyway so no, no, he had an article, and I just wanted to go through it. And really just kind of talk about some of the quotes there in there. This is certainly not a shot at Jeff. He's just reporting what was said.
(11:31):
But I do think that the narrative
is interesting about the laytoppers to
you know, to summarize this year, because if you haven't read the article, basically, it says that Todd, that Todd Stewart says
that Collins is coming back, and then he thinks that he's gonna write the ship and quote unquote, get back to winning under Collins. And so
(11:53):
I'm not here to question whether Greg Collins can do it. My question is, is everything that we use as the excuse to say that he deserves more time really accurate?
so
it says. You know. Obviously, the the tops lost in the quarter finals, and whatever 15 and 7 record just the second losing season in Greg Collins 6 seasons.
(12:20):
It's only it doesn't say this in the article, but it's only the the fourth losing season says 1,981, 82.
So basically, since Paul Sander came onto the hill. Wk, women's basketball has 4 losing seasons. Collins has 2 of them.
Okay,
He took over for Michelle. Clark heard
(12:43):
and he was her top assistant, and so
toss your confirm this week that Collins will be back for a seventh season.
And Todd says, you know, hey, we're not happy with this. Something is the standard, etc. So that's the right thing to say.
But he says, quote, and this is straight from Todd Stewart quote the other part that I think contributes to that is, there probably aren't many programs in the country that could lose their leading score and not have it impact their team. I think, when occasion Hayes got hurt, wasn't able to come back till the next last game of the season. That was a big blow, and I think that played a big role in it. It's not an excuse. It's an explanation.
(13:30):
frankly.
Devin Stewart (13:31):
Okay. So something else. I just was looking up. And I may be wrong on this.
Matthew McCay (13:35):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (13:36):
But I was just. I actually just googled this. And according to the Wku Board of Regents executive. December 8, 2022
Greg Collins's contract, his buyout
ergo, termination without cause
is that he would be paid $100,000 for 12 months
(14:00):
if he is terminated without cause.
which, if you let him go because they're losing, that's without cause.
So
I find it hard to believe
that Western can't pay
1.2 million over 12 months.
Matthew McCay (14:20):
Yeah, I mean.
I
I don't know exactly
what we're getting at here. As far as like what
I mean. I understand I'm not completely in the in the boat of like Greg Collins undoubtedly should be, he should be out. I'm not saying that.
but it's been 6 years we were upset with Stansberry
(14:43):
after 6 and 7 years. My question next year is, What does Collins do that blows us away so much that we
don't regret keeping him on another season. I mean, I like the man. I think he's a great person, but at some point it's put up or shut up, and he hasn't put up.
Devin Stewart (15:04):
Thank you. Godadine.
Matthew McCay (15:05):
That's what they do. But.
Devin Stewart (15:06):
Dance. You got a dance.
Matthew McCay (15:08):
Yeah. And and you know, talk about, put up or shut up. We're shutting up about the parts
that are a little negative about the man. There's nothing wrong with saying
he has not produced up to what he should have.
He had teams.
you know. You look at you know, in the article it talks about went to the wnit.
(15:28):
Yes, but you backed into that, and then you got lucky. When Sydney Bob went for 1,000 every game, and ended up winning those 2 games for you.
you had you had some other stuff in there. That's just like, you know, we're kind of twisting this a little bit to
to say our
preferred narrative. The thing about acacia that quote really got me is like, okay. First of all acacia got injured against Middle Tennessee. What's your excuse for losing to Sam Houston, who hadn't won in 2 months
(16:04):
when she was perfectly healthy.
Can you tell me that one because
they had not won since December first against anyone in Division one.
And you played them
What date was that? February first
the full 2 months they had not won a game.
(16:27):
and you play them.
You give them a chance. You end up going to overtime, and you still screwed it up.
You had a chance to recover at the end of regulation, and you still lost my 7. And yes, it was on the road or whatever, but like
that, that had nothing to do with the case. She has injury also losing fuu fau was a good team, but you lost that game, too, before the case she haze injury.
(16:52):
so, in my opinion, they were already starting to unravel a little bit. There were some signs of like infighting and stuff before she got injured.
Like. We remember
them arguing with each other against New Mexico State when they lost 44 to 50. That was also well before Akasha Hayes was injured. Then they got lucky to win one against U tip by one when destiny salary hit a reverse layup, otherwise
(17:17):
they would have lost 4 in a row before vacation. Hay's injuries. So
anyway, I just think that
we need to.
I think that like like, here's what frustrates me
late time or basketball
like it or not, people is the most successful program on the hill. They have the most history. They have the most
(17:41):
trophies.
They have the most final forest appearances. They have a national championship appearance.
Lady Topper. Basketball is the best sport on wk use campus. That may not be the most mainstream or whatever, but we should treat it like it's a precious jewel, I mean, it's it's a it's a wonderful program. And the fact that we're okay with 6 years in a row of not making it. And we're sitting here saying that we're gonna give them a seventh
(18:12):
which reading the tea leaves. I think if he doesn't produce something great this next year he is probably gone.
But this is a long time to sit on a guy
that took over a program that had one
and made it to the Ncw. Tournament 4 out of 6 years before that.
and he took over for the
(18:33):
up from the same staff with the same system, and he immediately was worse.
and has had 2 losing seasons.
and then make excuses about injuries and stuff. But that wasn't the only reason
that all these seasons have been disappointing. There's been drama. There's been other stuff. And so it's just kind of like, let's not completely paint the narrative
(18:55):
that this is just bad luck. It's also not executing and not doing a good job and not setting up your roster like in the
in the article it talks about rebounding being an issue. Well, yeah, because you didn't recruit anybody. That's a prolific rebounder.
You have to have people that have certain skills, and you have all players that are not good at rebounding. So of course, your team sucks at rebounding.
(19:21):
but that should have been something that you figured out about your roster and targeted long before right now, when you realize oh, crap! We can't rebound this year.
So anyway.
I digress.
Devin Stewart (19:34):
I have. Yeah, I.
So here's my thought.
do we? And I say, we Cousin Todd here.
Matthew McCay (19:45):
Bye.
Devin Stewart (19:45):
Is he waiting for Coach Lutz to be
paid off, moved to another school. We have to get a buyout from that school, then use that bio money to pay
for letting Collins go.
Matthew McCay (19:59):
Maybe.
Devin Stewart (20:00):
If.
If the trajectory continues on the way it does, then that may be what his thought process is.
because if let's does the same run. He does. He did this year. Next year.
Then
we could be looking at, you know.
a new basketball coach as bad as that sounds.
Matthew McCay (20:20):
Like, I mean.
yeah, I I think
if it were me making the decision, knowing what I know and everything.
I understand, there's other factors, and I understand there's a buyout, but at some point like next year is not going to get any better.
In my opinion it's time to cut cut him loose and go in a different direction. But I also understand keeping him on. It's just I don't think you're gonna get the result out of it that you hope to get
(20:46):
so end of the day. It's a big waste of time, and everybody is going to be frustrated next year when they go 18 and 14, and they keep them again, because, quote unquote, he improved.
Devin Stewart (20:58):
Well, and that's the thing, too, is is
hypothetically. If we had kept Sanford for Coach Coach Sanford for another year.
what would it have been then.
you know, and I mean.
I think Collins is technically a step above Sanford
season-wise.
But
(21:18):
I mean he's still under 500 for win losses and conference play. He's well under that.
But.
Matthew McCay (21:25):
Yeah.
he certainly has a clue like Sanford.
Just what didn't have much
hope with that. I mean, it was clear that there was some ineptitude, I mean. Collins is not inept. He's not an idiot, and he's not
like awful to the tune of like we could lose every game next year.
(21:48):
but I don't think that
he has the the top level ability to win either, for whatever reason it just doesn't work out
that he is just kind of mediocre.
Well, for Lady top of basketball, that's not good enough.
Devin Stewart (22:04):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (22:06):
Like we should hold them to that standard.
Devin Stewart (22:08):
So hypothetically.
Would you compare him more to Stanford or Santa
or Stainsbury? I'm sorry. Stainsbury or Sanford.
Matthew McCay (22:19):
I'd say he's in between.
I'd say.
like Stansberry was.
that was better than than Collins. Stansberry took over worse.
He did much better, had way, more opportunity to possibly achieve, and we were upset at Stansberry. We were frustrated with Stansberry.
So if we're frustrated with him
(22:42):
after the same amount of seasons.
Why are we not frustrated with Collins as well? Because Collins has had an
what was it? 9 and 21 season? Or it was like 7 and 20 or something ridiculous.
It was terrible like they were not even close to competitive.
(23:02):
And then yes, he had a nice job coaching last year.
He did a good job last year. That was his best coaching job. It seems like he's done what he needed to keep heat off of them, but that's about it.
Yeah, but he has not been an overachiever. He's
barely met expectations when he did meet it, or in some cases he UN completely underachieved.
(23:27):
and
is almost like he's just getting away with it.
Devin Stewart (23:32):
Yeah, yeah, I don't know.
Let's jump into some men's basketball heroes.
Matthew McCay (23:38):
Peace.
Devin Stewart (23:40):
At least we'll have some good news to talk about. Let's talk real quick.
The it's probably the first year in a few years that you've actually been able to go
to the Conference U.S.A. tournament
you went to the Mecca you worshiped at the feet of Judy. So what did you experience? How was your experience down there.
Matthew McCay (23:59):
Oh, well, all hell, King, duty, or whatever. But
by the way, she seemed real pissed when we wanted.
But anyway
yeah, I mean, it was an awesome experience. I mean, we were able to go. We were able to be on Press row. We were able to ask really good questions that went viral on social media. You know, whatever.
Devin Stewart (24:23):
Yeah. Why, the hell, not
what the hell else you got to do.
Matthew McCay (24:27):
Yeah, yeah. That was our question, where? So it's a lot of fun. There's a lot of, you know, being able to interact with players and fans and stuff.
if you, if first of all, for people listening, if you've never been to conference tournament, especially if you've never been to the whole tournament. You really should go once and experience it, and and it really is
(24:48):
a thrill every time that I get to go. It's a lot of fun you learn so much you get to know players get to know you.
the staff, whatever you you make a lot of connections
and bonds with people that like
I never see at home games ever. But I see them at Conference tournament. I'm like, Oh, yeah, how you been, whatever. But I hadn't seen them in a decade and diddle
(25:13):
and it's just
the different
demographics, or whatever that you see like. It's just different where they're more isolated when you're on the road traveling. And you see these people, you never see them at Dill
and so
it's just really nice to
to go down there and enjoy it. It! It was awesome, and obviously we won. You know we blew out the Mexico State. We completely obliterated Middle.
(25:42):
and then against up we it was way more of a battle, but
ultimately we were mostly in control of that. And, you know, took control and the paint and
you know, force them to make threes. And when they started missing some shots, we took over the game and
and ultimately one. And it's just it's incredible to see
(26:06):
how like
immediately let's comes in. And you knew that it was different. But then.
you know, you have your forehead losing streak at the end of the year, and then they just out of nowhere pull out their best basketball of the entire season for the 3 games that they played in Huntsville. And it was just
(26:28):
magical to to go in with absolutely no momentum.
3 bad losses, really. You know, logics. Not a bad loss. It's top 100 loss, but every other one was a terrible loss.
And then you come in and you just obliterate everybody.
It was just. It was beautiful to see, and it's been so long since we've been in the incident tournament. I can't believe
(26:57):
that the last time that we
that we were in the tournament was when we played Kansas in 2013 like that. That just blows my mind.
And I'm just proud to be a topper. It was incredible.
Devin Stewart (27:11):
Did you cry?
Matthew McCay (27:13):
I actually didn't. I thought I would.
Devin Stewart (27:15):
I thought you would. I really thought you would.
Matthew McCay (27:18):
I just I don't know. It didn't sink in like it. Just you know I'm I'm thrilled, and when I hug my dad I teared up a little bit that was cool.
Devin Stewart (27:26):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (27:27):
Me and my dad. We're on press, row, and everything, and
you know we have.
Devin Stewart (27:32):
Oh, you got you! We got press passes for that one, didn't we? For conference? U.S.A.
Matthew McCay (27:37):
Yeah, yeah, we did and
it, it was cool. I mean, we we were on the court and got to take all the pictures and all that stuff, but kind of gave them an embrace, and we got a little emotional for 5 s. But I thought, I will be a blubber and mess. I just you know I'm not gonna fake it to get some Youtube picks. But I just didn't react that way. But it was awesome and
(28:00):
it was a complete thrill to finally break the dam, so to speak, and kick in the door. You know I have wherever you want to say it?
It was just long overdue, and
the wait is over, and all those people that
laughed and criticized, and whatever about how
(28:21):
things could be different
the moment we got rid of Stansberry you put in a quality person who knows what they're doing and knows how to finish things off, and he immediately wins.
Don't tell me that Wk. U. Cannot be
a champion every year or every few years.
Devin Stewart (28:40):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (28:40):
That's horse manure that drives me crazy that you people have given up on the fact that wk, you could be elite. That's garbage.
Devin Stewart (28:49):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (28:49):
If you have someone that can run, it doesn't matter where you are, but especially when you have the resources. When you have the reputation like Wku. Like. When you look at the coaching candidates, we immediately have the top end of the pool.
A coaching candidates for any mid major job like we we were in the running, for we'll wait if we wanted to. We were in the running for all the good candidates, if you're fieu or U tech, or whatever. You don't have as many options to get recruits or coaches you Western is automatically a job that people want to go to because they know they can win.
(29:25):
Recruits know that. Wk, you as a winning program.
So you're gonna have higher end everything. Don't tell me that. Wk, you can't be a dynasty again. It can't be
one of the great college basketball programs in modern college basketball. That's garbage. And I I refuse to accept that. And here's your proof right here. Let's comes in and year one, and gets it done.
Devin Stewart (29:48):
Yes, and I mean, honestly, I would just kinda like to say to the people who doubted him coming in.
you know.
Yeah, you were wrong, Buddy.
I I it's not that I that people doubted him, but they thought he was not as good a hire as other options.
and
(30:09):
I I can't say that's true, and I can't say it's false, because you don't know
but
I mean. And even in the tournament this year we had the cards fell the perfect way for Western.
Matthew McCay (30:22):
Absolutely.
Devin Stewart (30:22):
Amazingly. So. You know. Law tech ended up getting knocked out. Let me check by
Matthew McCay (30:31):
Middle.
Devin Stewart (30:31):
Ut. Oh, is it middle.
Matthew McCay (30:33):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (30:33):
Okay. So Logitech got knocked out by middle. We ended up playing middle on the second round. If I'm not mistaken, I got all my notes here pulled up.
Yes, we played middle, and we played New Mexico State ended up beating them by 20 did amazing
we had actually half as many turnovers as they did. I could put the infographic up here in a minute.
(30:56):
but then we ended up playing middle, and just thumped the dog out of them and beat them by 31 points.
I mean the dude. The guys just ran off.
Matthew McCay (31:06):
Yeah, they, just I mean.
Devin Stewart (31:07):
Ran them out of the gym as bad as that says, but sounds but.
Matthew McCay (31:11):
We absolutely looked out there. I mean, if you talk about.
if you are the 3 seed and you talk about the possibilities of teams you could play
first of all, the draw, for to play New Mexico State was as good of a draw as you could possibly ask for.
Given the options and Conference, U.S.A. Just who you could possibly play. So the fact that New Mexico State fell to Western as the 3, the fact that Western went 8 and 8, and conferencing
(31:39):
had the standalone. 3 seed
was a miracle. It just completely worked out exactly in their favor.
So New Mexico State was a good matchup, and Western almost never was gonna lose to them.
And then
and then middle beats, la tech Western could have faced the 6 seed, the 2 and the one
(32:01):
okay instead.
Not only did they not face the 2 or the one they avoided liberty, who was probably more of a favorite to win against Wku than you, Ted, would be. They also the only way that the the path could have been easier for Western is, if Jacksonville State, or Fi you had made the finals, otherwise it was literally as easy of a path as Western could have had.
Devin Stewart (32:28):
To get.
Matthew McCay (32:29):
To the finals and win
Devin Stewart (32:31):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (32:31):
And and Utah was a worthy opponent, for sure they were such a good team playing really? Well, they had 1 5 in a row. When they played Western
they had won 2 road games in within those 5 games, like they were legitimately playing the best in conference, U.S.A. Before the tournament.
including Wku, because Western was playing terrible
(32:53):
but they ran into a Western team that got hot
at the right time, and Western without Dante Allen
was able to be Utp pretty easily without being able to make an exterior shot. You know, we couldn't make threes that always shot 15% or something. I don't know what it was.
Devin Stewart (33:14):
18 total, percent, yeah.
Matthew McCay (33:16):
18%. Yeah, okay, well, I was in the teens. It was like 3 for
17, or whatever that number was.
and
I mean we still weren't completely in control that game and really won it fairly easily. Of course you tip took a lead, but we made a run right back after that took it right back.
(33:36):
and the game was over. And it was over pretty early.
so I mean
it just felt so good. And and we did luck out, I mean no question if you had to face Sam Houston and Lontec instead of middle and u temp.
or even play liberty instead of
U temp like it would have been a tougher road. But
(34:00):
you know what we didn't, and we won. And we're in the instead of a tournament. We're playing Marquette, baby.
Let's make a run.
Devin Stewart (34:06):
And yeah, it's honestly it feels so good to to
to be able to say that we're in the tournament, I mean.
and to think that it has been what, 11 years since Western has made a tournament run.
Matthew McCay (34:21):
Yeah.
Yeah. Which, by the way, we had 2 good articles from Fletcher and Ross.
That talked about how.
Devin Stewart (34:29):
Well.
Matthew McCay (34:29):
Be.
Devin Stewart (34:30):
There's a there's a novel by Ross, but.
Matthew McCay (34:32):
Right. It is a full length.
It should be published, and on shelves soon
Devin Stewart (34:41):
Anyway.
Matthew McCay (34:42):
Really good really good essays, but
by some of our older members of the Tower, but I mean
coming out of retirement and all that.
Devin Stewart (34:51):
Older members.
Matthew McCay (34:53):
Our veterans.
Devin Stewart (34:55):
Yeah, we had to take Ross's pudding cup so he would write an article for us is basically.
Matthew McCay (34:59):
That's it. Yeah.
Devin Stewart (35:01):
Basically.
Matthew McCay (35:03):
It was pure manipulation that he actually wrote the article. He was desperate.
Devin Stewart (35:07):
And I.
Matthew McCay (35:08):
It's pretty cup.
Devin Stewart (35:08):
I I will say another thing I was really happy about is location for the tournament this year.
Matthew McCay (35:16):
Yes.
Devin Stewart (35:17):
We have been saying on the podcast, for years, me and you, Jared, everybody is this needs to be more centralized. Why do you have it in Texas. That's horrible! And then the iron curtain between the games was so ridiculous, and you know, and I think, and a correct me. If I'm wrong. I'd have to go back and listen to some of our episodes. But
I'm pretty sure that we said Birmingham, Alabama, Huntsville. Any of those right there in Alabama would be perfect.
(35:43):
And Judy's been listening to the podcast evidently because this is what we've been preaching.
Matthew McCay (35:49):
Yes. G.
Devin Stewart (35:50):
So.
Matthew McCay (35:51):
Judy. Thank you.
Devin Stewart (35:53):
Judy Tootie.
Matthew McCay (35:54):
Appreciate you.
I mean, yeah, it was perfect. Like. First of all, I don't understand how Comrade is. They couldn't be thrilled.
Middle showed up.
Yeah, as much as Wk, you or more. I mean, it was right there, comparable, I think Middle probably had slightly more than Western. They're also.
Devin Stewart (36:14):
The championship. Did you have more.
Matthew McCay (36:17):
It was. It was even, I mean, they filled out the whole lower bowl for their women, and then was a little.
I don't wanna say weird? Because I mean, actually, I respect this part of their program. Is their fans actually almost
care more about their women's basketball than their men, even when their men were really good with Kermit, and they were going to the tournament.
(36:41):
Their women had more followers and more people in the stands than their men. And so it's interesting. Because with Western, like, you're gonna have.
you know, 100 people at a women's game and 2,000 at a guys game at a tournament.
Devin Stewart (36:54):
Wow! But you know.
Matthew McCay (36:56):
You know, regardless it was. It was just awesome to see, you know. Western turned out middle turned out there were some good atmospheres. Really, no one else showed up. But basically Western and Middle made that tournament
a success, and I have no
reason to think that they shouldn't be thrilled with how many people were there for the finals. It was a real atmosphere for both games.
(37:21):
Western brought down a good chunk for the quarters and semis. And then for the finals, we we pack that thing out.
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (37:29):
Yeah, I had some old some old Facebook alumni schoolmates, whatever that went to Western. And the funny thing is, I know for a fact, one of them started out and Nashville at Uk. Sec. Tournament.
and then when they got knocked out, they're like, Hey, let's just go on down to Huntsville. We'll go watch Western play.
Matthew McCay (37:49):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (37:49):
So so the bad thing is is, I guess they weren't planning on it because they didn't have any Western gear on at the Western tournament with their pictures. So they're just like hit t-shirts and coats and stuff. And you're like, Okay.
so that wasn't planned. But that's fine, you know. Hey? We'll take you. Come on down but I mean watching the game.
(38:11):
It was very exciting.
and playing U tip, and knowing what their strategy is, it was a lot of
Honestly, I was nervous there for a few minutes, and then you made a pretty good run right there at the end, and I thought.
Matthew McCay (38:27):
I have slow.
Devin Stewart (38:28):
But what's his name? Powell? What's his first name?
Matthew McCay (38:32):
Zid.
Devin Stewart (38:33):
Is it? Zid? Yeah. Zid, yeah.
Matthew McCay (38:34):
That dude couldn't miss for a while. It was definitely.
Devin Stewart (38:37):
Oh, and then they didn't go back to him.
Matthew McCay (38:40):
Yeah, let's.
Devin Stewart (38:41):
Zip Zip Powell place for UT. And they didn't. They did not go back to him. He was hidden
like that Bailey kid was. And I thought, we're in trouble if they keep going to him. And then they quit.
And it was like, Okay, Okay, that's fine with me. You just stop doing him. That's what it works.
Matthew McCay (38:57):
Thank you very much.
Devin Stewart (38:58):
Yeah, you made it so much easier for us.
absolutely.
But yeah, so what are you thinking? As far as going at looking at Martech at Marquette
Western. Yeah.
Matthew McCay (39:10):
So.
Devin Stewart (39:10):
Okay. Coming up on Friday one pm. Central time.
But go ahead. Sorry.
Matthew McCay (39:16):
Yeah, no, you're good. Well, first of all, as a Western 15 C. Plan number 2, Marquette. So
market is legit, I mean, let's not. Let's not sugar coat that part of it.
They! I was looking at their schedule, my lord. They played some really good teams. They played, you know. They played Kansas. They played.
(39:38):
they played in the Maui invitational
like. They had a legit
conference and non-conference schedule. They had Creighton in their conference. They had you calling in their conference.
Yukon beat them 3 times.
They have 9 total losses, but every one of their losses were a quality loss against, I believe, against the rank team. I I don't know if they had a loss against
(40:01):
a non rank team.
but it was. It's impressive to look at their resume. They also their point guard, who averages 7 and a half assist and 15 or 16 points a game.
I guess. Colic, I think, is his last name.
Devin Stewart (40:21):
Yes, I've got it here. Yeah.
little ginger looking dude.
Matthew McCay (40:24):
Yeah, he's a he's a pretty solid player, and he has been out the last 8 games, and he should be back. He should be back this game. So that's a little terrifying that they made a 2 seed, despite having their point guard out
for the last 8 games.
Devin Stewart (40:43):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (40:44):
And so there to be respected.
However, I also think that Wku is not your typical 15 seat, I mean
Western. When when you look back at their schedule, you could argue that they
should have, or could have won, all but one of their games, and they have 11 losses.
(41:05):
And so you know, the Wichita state game. It seems like Wk. Was probably not gonna win that
they were just kind of snake bit. Couldn't make a 3 whatever road
they were, gonna win that game. But every other game
was either a conference game that we we know how close conference games were, or it was the the meltdowns in Canada.
(41:26):
or it was the Wichita State game. There were only 3 losses and non conference, and both of those 2 losses in Canada. We had double digit leads, and then in conference. We all know that we had meltdowns like 23 points against New Mexico State.
you know, handing teams 14 point leads and then coming back and almost winning. Anyway, you know.
(41:48):
I'm not saying that. Wk, you should be
whatever it would be
32, and one. I'm not saying that.
but they're much better retained than their record
and I think that
if wk you plays like they did in the conference tournament
absolutely can have a chance against Marquette. I am concerned
(42:12):
deeply because Marquette
I believe they they you know they force some turnovers.
They have good guard play, you know, like there's no one in comfort. Say that compares to 7 and a half assists a game.
There aren't very many teams that have
1617 point scores.
(42:33):
So there is a higher quality to their team than than some of the teams that we played. However, it's March, and it's Western Kentucky, and we're better than the seed that we have. And so I would say, we absolutely have a shot at it.
and if we can find a way past market.
the door opens
wide open
(42:53):
to to all kinds of possibilities after that, because if you could beat Marquette, you can certainly beat a 10 or 7 seed.
you can, certainly.
Then you play. You possibly play Uk in the sweet 16.
That would be really interesting.
And certainly the thoughts will be motivated and would not go into that game scared.
(43:17):
you know. I I mean.
the possibilities are
are endless. Really, if you can get past Marquette.
But the question is, can they?
I'm excited to see it, you know I'm going. I know we have 5 or 6 tower people going
and it should be an exciting game, and it's in indie like there's no way.
Devin Stewart (43:42):
Basically a home game.
Matthew McCay (43:44):
Yeah, I mean, it's gonna be the 2, the 2 biggest fan bases there are gonna be Wku and Marquette marquettes, you know, in Milwaukee, so they're fairly close to Indy.
Devin Stewart (43:55):
Probably Uk too, but.
Matthew McCay (43:58):
Yeah, but Uk is not in in.
Devin Stewart (44:00):
Oh, I'm sorry they're in Pittsburgh. Yeah, you're my bad.
Matthew McCay (44:02):
And is good.
But
yeah, I mean,
if Western happens to beat Marquette
Red should dominate Indianapolis
after that moment, because all the market people won't be there, and it'll be wk, use the only team that's close.
Devin Stewart (44:20):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (44:20):
So it it should be interesting. I'm really excited. I'm hoping there's a ton of red, and I'm hoping that it's like
Huntsville, where, you know, we take over the stadium and give our team a chance to
to to make a big upset.
Devin Stewart (44:36):
It would be very interesting to see
if I'm not mistaken. Purdue's there, too, right.
According to the bracket cause it's got us, I'm guessing. Florida. Boise, Marquette.
I'm kind of skimming through some of these others.
Matthew McCay (44:54):
Yeah, let me pull up a bracket.
Devin Stewart (44:56):
But it looks like Texas Tech, Nc. State. Kentucky, and Oakland are in Pittsburgh.
and then South Carolina, Oregon, Creighton, Akron, are in Pittsburgh as well.
But yeah, I mean.
so
I had a debate with my father earlier about this. He's a Uk fan. Okay?
(45:21):
I debated that I told him that Kentucky gets into the tournament every year because they're a legacy team.
whether they deserve it or not. They're in the bracket normally.
and a lot of that is because of ratings.
not because of deserving it.
Just so.
Matthew McCay (45:42):
Oh, that'll piss off a.
Devin Stewart (45:45):
Well, it did I? I did. I did. I did. I did piss myself.
But it's you know it's that's my thing is is. It's like there's several years where Kentucky
has just been the bottom of the barrel and done horrible.
And this is from a non Uk fan. So you imagine what Uk fans are doing burning couches? But
(46:07):
you know, and they'll get into the tournament, and they'll go to one round next round. They're out.
and I'm sorry. But if I'm a UK. Fan, if you're not making the elite 8, that's a horrible year.
and you haven't won a title in over 12 years.
That's worse than Stansberry in my eyes, for at least for a UK. Fan. But
(46:27):
I digress.
I I I'm I'm a little shaded when it comes to blue, but
as far as but as far as Marquet's concerned you know, they're 25 of 9 for the season, so they've done really, really well. But, like you said, if Western can get past Marquet.
you've got Florida
(46:48):
You got probably Gonna play either Florida or is it Boise State or Colorado, who who got in.
Matthew McCay (46:55):
They.
Devin Stewart (46:55):
Played the bubble game.
Matthew McCay (46:57):
Not they play it to.
Devin Stewart (46:58):
Oh, they play in Dayton tonight. Okay.
I think it's Dayton.
I'm looking at a bracket. So it's kinda hard to read on the screen.
But yeah, so they're gonna play tonight. So we'll know a little bit more tomorrow. But
you know, you're looking at a possibly a pretty good game.
You know, especially this coming game is, gonna be good if Western can do what they need to do.
(47:20):
and you know.
stop them. Do what they need to do. I mean, the bad thing is is we've got mark Espn has Western
at 5.6% chance to win.
If you put down $10, according to Vegas, you will make 80 bucks this week.
Western is that plus 800 money line.
(47:43):
So. Is it a good bet? No, I would not bet it. But points wise it could be interesting.
Matthew McCay (47:52):
Yeah, I mean, well, okay, if you look the last 3 years.
a 15 is upset or 2 every single year. So that's 25%
in the last 3 years. So if you're saying that you put in 10 bucks and you get 80
at least within the last couple of years. The odds are in your favor that you.
Devin Stewart (48:14):
True.
Matthew McCay (48:15):
That you make that you make do on that bit. Now.
Devin Stewart (48:18):
It could be.
Matthew McCay (48:19):
The chances of pursuing.
Devin Stewart (48:21):
Be 75% the other way, though
one of the other 2 fifteens makes it.
Matthew McCay (48:26):
But if you from a gambling perspective, that's a good bet. Now, you don't want to put your life savings on it.
You don't wanna put something that that hurts you, but I mean
I would debate. But.
Devin Stewart (48:40):
You know what, Matt, you've talked me into it? I'm gonna put $40,000 on Western to win this. We're gonna trip.
Matthew McCay (48:47):
Well.
Devin Stewart (48:48):
Money today.
Matthew McCay (48:49):
Well, hey, man, I hope that 3 20 comes your way. But
Devin Stewart (48:53):
Yeah, right? Okay, that's not happening. So real quick here towards into the podcast. I do have a couple of other things.
Mchenry. Don Mchenry was named to the N. ABC. All district first team. So that's great.
That's the National Association of Basketball coaches. Division one all District 11 named him as their first team.
(49:15):
I thought I thought
Don Mckenry did a great job
and honestly, I thought he did pretty good in the interviews, too, and post game stuff just watching and listening so congratulations to Mr. Mchenry for winning that. And then a coach. Lutz was actually named a finalist for the Skip
Prosser, man of the year award so congratulations to him.
(49:38):
This award honors those who not only achieve success on the basketball court, but who display moral integrity, integrity on and off of it as well.
This is the second Straight Year coach. Let's been named a finalist for the award.
So congratulations, coach Lutz, that's awesome. But
(49:59):
and Western will be playing on Friday on Tvs at what do we say? One pm. Central time. So it's 2 Pm.
Eastern time for those of you on the eastern time of Kentucky.
And then if they win, they will be playing the winner of Florida versus Boise or Colorado State.
and
(50:21):
so check back here, check Towak. We will be doing updates on all that
as far as the game goes, they'll be doing live tweets and
well, maybe posting a press conference after. Well, no, we won't be. We don't have press passes, because
somebody at the school decided we didn't need them this time. So anyway.
but we will be updating scores and stuff, and we'll be back next week
(50:46):
win or lose to recap the game, and either preview the next one, or talk about summer and what we're gonna be, how our summer schedule is going to be going
we'll try to do an episode a month or so, or every couple of weeks at least, to kinda update and talk to people and let you know how everything's going.
like, I said. Men's basketball plays, and there is a series for baseball.
(51:10):
I will post those in the corner, so you all can watch them at this point.
and then
make my note here.
but definitely check back. And we will be covering more Western sports
coming up this week this next couple of weeks, and
(51:35):
I've gotten everything. Isn't that it.
Matthew McCay (51:38):
That's about it. Just freaking. Let's go, man.
Devin Stewart (51:42):
Yup, let's go.
Matthew McCay (51:42):
It's our. It's our time. Man, let's go. Let's go win some.
Devin Stewart (51:46):
It's time to go dancing, man, No. One dancing. We're going dancing. So let's go tops. And we appreciate you all following us this long. And yeah, you can't tell it, but I am swaying right now. And let's go tops.
Matthew McCay (52:01):
Let's get it.
Devin Stewart (52:02):
Tops, beat market.
Welcome into another. RedOUT, podcast Devin, Matt, and we're talking a lot of basketball news. Obviously, Western has finally made the big dance after 10 years.
Matthew McCay (00:13):
So, yeah.
Devin Stewart (00:14):
All praise be to Steve. Let's GOOO.
so real quick. Here, I've got a little bit of softball news. Baseball news.
looks like softball, had a series with New Mexico State not this past week, but the week before.
and ended up
kind of splitting. They beat them on the eighth, 2 to one they lost in oh, and 9 on that Saturday, the ninth, and then on the tenth, they beat them 11. Nothing in 5 innings
(00:47):
for those of you on Youtube, you will see the little infographic, and then on the thirteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, let's see, they they lost on the thirteenth to Eku.
They beat F.
Matthew McCay (00:58):
You!
Devin Stewart (00:58):
Web them from the fifteenth to the seventeenth. And then today, as we're recording on the twentieth, they will play Morehead at 5 30 pm. Central standard time.
And then, of course, we'll post the rest of those games later on in the episode for the for the others that are watching.
Now, quickly, baseball.
(01:20):
Just some updated scores here, and I'll post the infographic later with the
excuse me with the with the upcoming events for those of you all who are interested.
Western played Austin P. On the twelfth and 1 12 to 9, and then they played on the Fifteenth and Sixteenth and Seventeenth. They had a series with southeast Missouri State
(01:41):
and then they played Southern Indiana yesterday, the Nineteenth.
But Western ended up, beating southeast Missouri State. On the fifteenth they lost on the sixteenth.
and on the seventeenth they won 72, and then west. They also played Southern Indiana and 1 5 to 3 yesterday. So
(02:04):
that was a really quick recap for a lot of those. But.
Matthew McCay (02:08):
Worthy real quick. The the Austin P. Win was actually a time to look at it. Say, all, Austin P. Whatever they're actually quite good, and they have some quality wins so beating them was a nice victory as well as I think we've won 9 out of the last 11. So tops are looking pretty decent in baseball and softball.
Devin Stewart (02:28):
I know that a lot of our baseball
people were really excited about that Win, and
I was kind of like you were. I was like Austin P. But I mean I mean, it is a big deal for Western, and to be able to, you know, to be able to beat them. I mean, it's a great thing.
So
women's basketball.
(02:49):
I know we're really getting into it real quick. But this is kind of the meat and potatoes of the episode.
so to speak. Lady Tops did not do very well in the conference. U.S.A. tournament. That's kind of like what we predicted would happen
they played liberty. I believe it was last Wednesday. If I'm not mistaken.
Matthew McCay (03:08):
Wrote.
Devin Stewart (03:09):
And that was
That was at 2 o'clock.
3, 2 pm. Central, 3 pm.
Eastern time.
And I I did actually watch this game, so I have redeemed myself for some of you. I am.
Matthew McCay (03:26):
We are somewhat of a true fan now.
Devin Stewart (03:30):
I shall go. Give my.
Matthew McCay (03:32):
What?
Devin Stewart (03:32):
For go tops, so I can redeem myself in the eyes of the hilltop or church. But anyway, I.
Matthew McCay (03:40):
When we say 5, 5 songs and a and a couple of go tops.
Devin Stewart (03:43):
Yes, I did have one complaint.
and I I don't know if it was just me, or if you saw this to Matt. But liberty, smuta, that the big center that I mean.
Matthew McCay (03:56):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (03:57):
Like 8 foot tall. Was it just me, or does she have like a bunch of over the backs.
Matthew McCay (04:03):
She there was some stuff in there that yeah, she she definitely had a few moments and everything. I mean.
ultimately, I feel like.
really, you know, we we did everything. I I definitely didn't leave thinking the Refs did anything.
Devin Stewart (04:20):
No, no! What I mean.
Matthew McCay (04:21):
And there were some issues. You know. You got the quarter final. So you have some of your lower end refs still in the tournament.
But I mean it is what it is. I don't. I don't feel like that costs us the game. I think it was just
liberty was better, and we just had some trouble hitting a few shots. We had chances for about 5 or 6 min in a row. The tire take the lead, and we would turn it over, or we would just miss a shot
(04:46):
or whatever. And so I mean individually, for that one game you have to like, the effort that they put out. I mean, they played
well, besides shooting really. I mean, they they didn't do anything
awful. They
they just had some trouble making some buckets.
(05:06):
They forced. A bunch of turnovers didn't turn over that much. I mean, you look at the statistics. It really was just kind of
shooting really and there was a and rebounding, I think, was the other one.
Which was a problem all year. So
proud of them, you know.
Devin Stewart (05:25):
Like the first like, and that was the hard part for me watching. It is the first 2 min of the first quarter. There was like no score.
Matthew McCay (05:32):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (05:33):
0 to 0. And I mean there was 4 opportunities for both teams, literally one back, one back, and then somebody scored. And it was like, Oh, my gosh, this is this is gonna be a long game.
But oh, what's her name?
Not that lady
(05:55):
who is the girl.
Matthew McCay (05:58):
Or Wku, or.
Devin Stewart (06:00):
Liberty, Bailey Jordan Bailey. I'm sorry she dude. That girl could shoot lights out.
Matthew McCay (06:07):
Yeah.
they have some good players.
Devin Stewart (06:10):
Well, the thing with her, I mean, and this was at least my opinion.
You know you're watching a game when you're watching basketball, and somebody takes a 3 or whatever, and you go. Yeah, money.
She would throw those up dude, and it was like money
money like there was not a shot that there was maybe one or 2 that she threw up, that I was like, yeah in a chance.
(06:30):
But there's a several of those that she threw up, and I was like that's in that's in.
That was, I mean, she played really good, and I I can't fault them. They did a really great job.
Matthew McCay (06:41):
Yeah, she was 6. She took 9 shots and scored 17 points. That's pretty efficient.
Didn't even shoot a free throw. Just made 5 out of 6 threes and 6 out of 9 overall.
Devin Stewart (06:53):
Well, at least, Western was smart enough not to file the person that was having a really good hot streak of shooting. So
yeah.
Matthew McCay (07:03):
I mean, you know, it's just one of those things like
I don't know if you I assume they noticed it on the broadcast. I I don't know but Alexis Meade kind of tweaked an ankle and wasn't herself the whole game. You know. It was nice to see Destiny salary kind of bust out, and she almost had a double double
and nobody. Let's say we had 9 turnovers.
(07:26):
It's just when you shoot 35%. Let's see, yeah, 36, 37% for the game, and 27 from 3.
And then the opponent shoots 40 42 and 42
it's just tough to to overcome that. I mean
they just it was a it was a battle. You know. They had their chances
(07:52):
liberty had a lead and Western kind of fought back, and and really sat there with the opportunity to tie it for
several minutes late in the game, and just couldn't make it happen. You know. And so individually, you have to look at it and say.
That's a that's a good enough effort, and it's frustrating, because if you had found a way past liberty. You had 6 seed New Mexico States, and they're waiting for you to get to the
(08:17):
to the tournament finals. So it's just a missed opportunity
and typical of this year's Lady Topper team. Honestly, there were a lot of close calls
that could have gone the other way
in several of the games. And you know, just kinda a frustrating end to the season.
Devin Stewart (08:36):
Well, I mean, it is like you said we shot 36% from the field. We shot 41, or they shot 41. So that's 5% difference right? There, that is actually
we took 63 total shots. They took 55 we both shot. We both made 23 shots total.
(08:58):
So, you know, if we had made, you know, even 41% of those 63 shots, we're winning that game.
Matthew McCay (09:06):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (09:07):
Absolutely.
Matthew McCay (09:08):
And here's the other thing that that I think would get lost in the stats
was we forced 19 turnovers, but a lot of them weren't live ball turnovers. And so
you you ended up getting the ball. But then you reset, I guess a team that's way bigger than you and they get to set up their half court defense. And that's why, in a lot of ways we had trouble. We didn't have a ton of fast break points. I think we had.
(09:33):
I'm saying, here, fast break points. We have
with 4.
Yeah, 4 fast break points on 19 turnovers.
Devin Stewart (09:40):
In all.
Matthew McCay (09:41):
Lastly, let's just
terrible luck.
Devin Stewart (09:44):
I would think that Alexis Mead would have been the fast break person, and with her tweaking her ankle, it kind of I won't say limited, but it it shortened our roster. As far as you know. Fast break points go, you know.
Matthew McCay (09:57):
Yeah, absolutely that she was. She's one. And then a Casey haste would be your other one besides Destiny salary. Casey only played 13 min, because she's coming off injury.
Inexplicably. Karis Allen played 5 min. I have no idea why she didn't play more minutes against the bigger team.
(10:17):
you know, the some of the people that you might think would get out and transition the only person that really had a good game
was destiny. Salary often.
Devin Stewart (10:28):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (10:30):
So
it's just
It's it's frustrating to to see it fizzle out like it did at the end of the year.
And I think it. It calls into question.
Greg Collins, which
I don't know. If you want to transition to that article.
Devin Stewart (10:48):
Go right ahead!
Matthew McCay (10:49):
From Jeff nations from Bowling Green. Daily News. First of all, I met Jeff
down there in Huntsville, and it was he's a real nice guy was super helpful with us, and.
Devin Stewart (11:01):
You. Certainly I saw what you said off the air.
Matthew McCay (11:04):
Right
and well.
Devin Stewart (11:06):
Completely kidding. I'm just messing with you.
Matthew McCay (11:09):
Jeff.
you, you know the truth, anyway.
if you ever listen to this. Thanks for listen but but anyway so no, no, he had an article, and I just wanted to go through it. And really just kind of talk about some of the quotes there in there. This is certainly not a shot at Jeff. He's just reporting what was said.
(11:31):
But I do think that the narrative
is interesting about the laytoppers to
you know, to summarize this year, because if you haven't read the article, basically, it says that Todd, that Todd Stewart says
that Collins is coming back, and then he thinks that he's gonna write the ship and quote unquote, get back to winning under Collins. And so
(11:53):
I'm not here to question whether Greg Collins can do it. My question is, is everything that we use as the excuse to say that he deserves more time really accurate?
so
it says. You know. Obviously, the the tops lost in the quarter finals, and whatever 15 and 7 record just the second losing season in Greg Collins 6 seasons.
(12:20):
It's only it doesn't say this in the article, but it's only the the fourth losing season says 1,981, 82.
So basically, since Paul Sander came onto the hill. Wk, women's basketball has 4 losing seasons. Collins has 2 of them.
Okay,
He took over for Michelle. Clark heard
(12:43):
and he was her top assistant, and so
toss your confirm this week that Collins will be back for a seventh season.
And Todd says, you know, hey, we're not happy with this. Something is the standard, etc. So that's the right thing to say.
But he says, quote, and this is straight from Todd Stewart quote the other part that I think contributes to that is, there probably aren't many programs in the country that could lose their leading score and not have it impact their team. I think, when occasion Hayes got hurt, wasn't able to come back till the next last game of the season. That was a big blow, and I think that played a big role in it. It's not an excuse. It's an explanation.
(13:30):
frankly.
Devin Stewart (13:31):
Okay. So something else. I just was looking up. And I may be wrong on this.
Matthew McCay (13:35):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (13:36):
But I was just. I actually just googled this. And according to the Wku Board of Regents executive. December 8, 2022
Greg Collins's contract, his buyout
ergo, termination without cause
is that he would be paid $100,000 for 12 months
(14:00):
if he is terminated without cause.
which, if you let him go because they're losing, that's without cause.
So
I find it hard to believe
that Western can't pay
1.2 million over 12 months.
Matthew McCay (14:20):
Yeah, I mean.
I
I don't know exactly
what we're getting at here. As far as like what
I mean. I understand I'm not completely in the in the boat of like Greg Collins undoubtedly should be, he should be out. I'm not saying that.
but it's been 6 years we were upset with Stansberry
(14:43):
after 6 and 7 years. My question next year is, What does Collins do that blows us away so much that we
don't regret keeping him on another season. I mean, I like the man. I think he's a great person, but at some point it's put up or shut up, and he hasn't put up.
Devin Stewart (15:04):
Thank you. Godadine.
Matthew McCay (15:05):
That's what they do. But.
Devin Stewart (15:06):
Dance. You got a dance.
Matthew McCay (15:08):
Yeah. And and you know, talk about, put up or shut up. We're shutting up about the parts
that are a little negative about the man. There's nothing wrong with saying
he has not produced up to what he should have.
He had teams.
you know. You look at you know, in the article it talks about went to the wnit.
(15:28):
Yes, but you backed into that, and then you got lucky. When Sydney Bob went for 1,000 every game, and ended up winning those 2 games for you.
you had you had some other stuff in there. That's just like, you know, we're kind of twisting this a little bit to
to say our
preferred narrative. The thing about acacia that quote really got me is like, okay. First of all acacia got injured against Middle Tennessee. What's your excuse for losing to Sam Houston, who hadn't won in 2 months
(16:04):
when she was perfectly healthy.
Can you tell me that one because
they had not won since December first against anyone in Division one.
And you played them
What date was that? February first
the full 2 months they had not won a game.
(16:27):
and you play them.
You give them a chance. You end up going to overtime, and you still screwed it up.
You had a chance to recover at the end of regulation, and you still lost my 7. And yes, it was on the road or whatever, but like
that, that had nothing to do with the case. She has injury also losing fuu fau was a good team, but you lost that game, too, before the case she haze injury.
(16:52):
so, in my opinion, they were already starting to unravel a little bit. There were some signs of like infighting and stuff before she got injured.
Like. We remember
them arguing with each other against New Mexico State when they lost 44 to 50. That was also well before Akasha Hayes was injured. Then they got lucky to win one against U tip by one when destiny salary hit a reverse layup, otherwise
(17:17):
they would have lost 4 in a row before vacation. Hay's injuries. So
anyway, I just think that
we need to.
I think that like like, here's what frustrates me
late time or basketball
like it or not, people is the most successful program on the hill. They have the most history. They have the most
(17:41):
trophies.
They have the most final forest appearances. They have a national championship appearance.
Lady Topper. Basketball is the best sport on wk use campus. That may not be the most mainstream or whatever, but we should treat it like it's a precious jewel, I mean, it's it's a it's a wonderful program. And the fact that we're okay with 6 years in a row of not making it. And we're sitting here saying that we're gonna give them a seventh
(18:12):
which reading the tea leaves. I think if he doesn't produce something great this next year he is probably gone.
But this is a long time to sit on a guy
that took over a program that had one
and made it to the Ncw. Tournament 4 out of 6 years before that.
and he took over for the
(18:33):
up from the same staff with the same system, and he immediately was worse.
and has had 2 losing seasons.
and then make excuses about injuries and stuff. But that wasn't the only reason
that all these seasons have been disappointing. There's been drama. There's been other stuff. And so it's just kind of like, let's not completely paint the narrative
(18:55):
that this is just bad luck. It's also not executing and not doing a good job and not setting up your roster like in the
in the article it talks about rebounding being an issue. Well, yeah, because you didn't recruit anybody. That's a prolific rebounder.
You have to have people that have certain skills, and you have all players that are not good at rebounding. So of course, your team sucks at rebounding.
(19:21):
but that should have been something that you figured out about your roster and targeted long before right now, when you realize oh, crap! We can't rebound this year.
So anyway.
I digress.
Devin Stewart (19:34):
I have. Yeah, I.
So here's my thought.
do we? And I say, we Cousin Todd here.
Matthew McCay (19:45):
Bye.
Devin Stewart (19:45):
Is he waiting for Coach Lutz to be
paid off, moved to another school. We have to get a buyout from that school, then use that bio money to pay
for letting Collins go.
Matthew McCay (19:59):
Maybe.
Devin Stewart (20:00):
If.
If the trajectory continues on the way it does, then that may be what his thought process is.
because if let's does the same run. He does. He did this year. Next year.
Then
we could be looking at, you know.
a new basketball coach as bad as that sounds.
Matthew McCay (20:20):
Like, I mean.
yeah, I I think
if it were me making the decision, knowing what I know and everything.
I understand, there's other factors, and I understand there's a buyout, but at some point like next year is not going to get any better.
In my opinion it's time to cut cut him loose and go in a different direction. But I also understand keeping him on. It's just I don't think you're gonna get the result out of it that you hope to get
(20:46):
so end of the day. It's a big waste of time, and everybody is going to be frustrated next year when they go 18 and 14, and they keep them again, because, quote unquote, he improved.
Devin Stewart (20:58):
Well, and that's the thing, too, is is
hypothetically. If we had kept Sanford for Coach Coach Sanford for another year.
what would it have been then.
you know, and I mean.
I think Collins is technically a step above Sanford
season-wise.
But
(21:18):
I mean he's still under 500 for win losses and conference play. He's well under that.
But.
Matthew McCay (21:25):
Yeah.
he certainly has a clue like Sanford.
Just what didn't have much
hope with that. I mean, it was clear that there was some ineptitude, I mean. Collins is not inept. He's not an idiot, and he's not
like awful to the tune of like we could lose every game next year.
(21:48):
but I don't think that
he has the the top level ability to win either, for whatever reason it just doesn't work out
that he is just kind of mediocre.
Well, for Lady top of basketball, that's not good enough.
Devin Stewart (22:04):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (22:06):
Like we should hold them to that standard.
Devin Stewart (22:08):
So hypothetically.
Would you compare him more to Stanford or Santa
or Stainsbury? I'm sorry. Stainsbury or Sanford.
Matthew McCay (22:19):
I'd say he's in between.
I'd say.
like Stansberry was.
that was better than than Collins. Stansberry took over worse.
He did much better, had way, more opportunity to possibly achieve, and we were upset at Stansberry. We were frustrated with Stansberry.
So if we're frustrated with him
(22:42):
after the same amount of seasons.
Why are we not frustrated with Collins as well? Because Collins has had an
what was it? 9 and 21 season? Or it was like 7 and 20 or something ridiculous.
It was terrible like they were not even close to competitive.
(23:02):
And then yes, he had a nice job coaching last year.
He did a good job last year. That was his best coaching job. It seems like he's done what he needed to keep heat off of them, but that's about it.
Yeah, but he has not been an overachiever. He's
barely met expectations when he did meet it, or in some cases he UN completely underachieved.
(23:27):
and
is almost like he's just getting away with it.
Devin Stewart (23:32):
Yeah, yeah, I don't know.
Let's jump into some men's basketball heroes.
Matthew McCay (23:38):
Peace.
Devin Stewart (23:40):
At least we'll have some good news to talk about. Let's talk real quick.
The it's probably the first year in a few years that you've actually been able to go
to the Conference U.S.A. tournament
you went to the Mecca you worshiped at the feet of Judy. So what did you experience? How was your experience down there.
Matthew McCay (23:59):
Oh, well, all hell, King, duty, or whatever. But
by the way, she seemed real pissed when we wanted.
But anyway
yeah, I mean, it was an awesome experience. I mean, we were able to go. We were able to be on Press row. We were able to ask really good questions that went viral on social media. You know, whatever.
Devin Stewart (24:23):
Yeah. Why, the hell, not
what the hell else you got to do.
Matthew McCay (24:27):
Yeah, yeah. That was our question, where? So it's a lot of fun. There's a lot of, you know, being able to interact with players and fans and stuff.
if you, if first of all, for people listening, if you've never been to conference tournament, especially if you've never been to the whole tournament. You really should go once and experience it, and and it really is
(24:48):
a thrill every time that I get to go. It's a lot of fun you learn so much you get to know players get to know you.
the staff, whatever you you make a lot of connections
and bonds with people that like
I never see at home games ever. But I see them at Conference tournament. I'm like, Oh, yeah, how you been, whatever. But I hadn't seen them in a decade and diddle
(25:13):
and it's just
the different
demographics, or whatever that you see like. It's just different where they're more isolated when you're on the road traveling. And you see these people, you never see them at Dill
and so
it's just really nice to
to go down there and enjoy it. It! It was awesome, and obviously we won. You know we blew out the Mexico State. We completely obliterated Middle.
(25:42):
and then against up we it was way more of a battle, but
ultimately we were mostly in control of that. And, you know, took control and the paint and
you know, force them to make threes. And when they started missing some shots, we took over the game and
and ultimately one. And it's just it's incredible to see
(26:06):
how like
immediately let's comes in. And you knew that it was different. But then.
you know, you have your forehead losing streak at the end of the year, and then they just out of nowhere pull out their best basketball of the entire season for the 3 games that they played in Huntsville. And it was just
(26:28):
magical to to go in with absolutely no momentum.
3 bad losses, really. You know, logics. Not a bad loss. It's top 100 loss, but every other one was a terrible loss.
And then you come in and you just obliterate everybody.
It was just. It was beautiful to see, and it's been so long since we've been in the incident tournament. I can't believe
(26:57):
that the last time that we
that we were in the tournament was when we played Kansas in 2013 like that. That just blows my mind.
And I'm just proud to be a topper. It was incredible.
Devin Stewart (27:11):
Did you cry?
Matthew McCay (27:13):
I actually didn't. I thought I would.
Devin Stewart (27:15):
I thought you would. I really thought you would.
Matthew McCay (27:18):
I just I don't know. It didn't sink in like it. Just you know I'm I'm thrilled, and when I hug my dad I teared up a little bit that was cool.
Devin Stewart (27:26):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (27:27):
Me and my dad. We're on press, row, and everything, and
you know we have.
Devin Stewart (27:32):
Oh, you got you! We got press passes for that one, didn't we? For conference? U.S.A.
Matthew McCay (27:37):
Yeah, yeah, we did and
it, it was cool. I mean, we we were on the court and got to take all the pictures and all that stuff, but kind of gave them an embrace, and we got a little emotional for 5 s. But I thought, I will be a blubber and mess. I just you know I'm not gonna fake it to get some Youtube picks. But I just didn't react that way. But it was awesome and
(28:00):
it was a complete thrill to finally break the dam, so to speak, and kick in the door. You know I have wherever you want to say it?
It was just long overdue, and
the wait is over, and all those people that
laughed and criticized, and whatever about how
(28:21):
things could be different
the moment we got rid of Stansberry you put in a quality person who knows what they're doing and knows how to finish things off, and he immediately wins.
Don't tell me that Wk. U. Cannot be
a champion every year or every few years.
Devin Stewart (28:40):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (28:40):
That's horse manure that drives me crazy that you people have given up on the fact that wk, you could be elite. That's garbage.
Devin Stewart (28:49):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (28:49):
If you have someone that can run, it doesn't matter where you are, but especially when you have the resources. When you have the reputation like Wku. Like. When you look at the coaching candidates, we immediately have the top end of the pool.
A coaching candidates for any mid major job like we we were in the running, for we'll wait if we wanted to. We were in the running for all the good candidates, if you're fieu or U tech, or whatever. You don't have as many options to get recruits or coaches you Western is automatically a job that people want to go to because they know they can win.
(29:25):
Recruits know that. Wk, you as a winning program.
So you're gonna have higher end everything. Don't tell me that. Wk, you can't be a dynasty again. It can't be
one of the great college basketball programs in modern college basketball. That's garbage. And I I refuse to accept that. And here's your proof right here. Let's comes in and year one, and gets it done.
Devin Stewart (29:48):
Yes, and I mean, honestly, I would just kinda like to say to the people who doubted him coming in.
you know.
Yeah, you were wrong, Buddy.
I I it's not that I that people doubted him, but they thought he was not as good a hire as other options.
and
(30:09):
I I can't say that's true, and I can't say it's false, because you don't know
but
I mean. And even in the tournament this year we had the cards fell the perfect way for Western.
Matthew McCay (30:22):
Absolutely.
Devin Stewart (30:22):
Amazingly. So. You know. Law tech ended up getting knocked out. Let me check by
Matthew McCay (30:31):
Middle.
Devin Stewart (30:31):
Ut. Oh, is it middle.
Matthew McCay (30:33):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (30:33):
Okay. So Logitech got knocked out by middle. We ended up playing middle on the second round. If I'm not mistaken, I got all my notes here pulled up.
Yes, we played middle, and we played New Mexico State ended up beating them by 20 did amazing
we had actually half as many turnovers as they did. I could put the infographic up here in a minute.
(30:56):
but then we ended up playing middle, and just thumped the dog out of them and beat them by 31 points.
I mean the dude. The guys just ran off.
Matthew McCay (31:06):
Yeah, they, just I mean.
Devin Stewart (31:07):
Ran them out of the gym as bad as that says, but sounds but.
Matthew McCay (31:11):
We absolutely looked out there. I mean, if you talk about.
if you are the 3 seed and you talk about the possibilities of teams you could play
first of all, the draw, for to play New Mexico State was as good of a draw as you could possibly ask for.
Given the options and Conference, U.S.A. Just who you could possibly play. So the fact that New Mexico State fell to Western as the 3, the fact that Western went 8 and 8, and conferencing
(31:39):
had the standalone. 3 seed
was a miracle. It just completely worked out exactly in their favor.
So New Mexico State was a good matchup, and Western almost never was gonna lose to them.
And then
and then middle beats, la tech Western could have faced the 6 seed, the 2 and the one
(32:01):
okay instead.
Not only did they not face the 2 or the one they avoided liberty, who was probably more of a favorite to win against Wku than you, Ted, would be. They also the only way that the the path could have been easier for Western is, if Jacksonville State, or Fi you had made the finals, otherwise it was literally as easy of a path as Western could have had.
Devin Stewart (32:28):
To get.
Matthew McCay (32:29):
To the finals and win
Devin Stewart (32:31):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (32:31):
And and Utah was a worthy opponent, for sure they were such a good team playing really? Well, they had 1 5 in a row. When they played Western
they had won 2 road games in within those 5 games, like they were legitimately playing the best in conference, U.S.A. Before the tournament.
including Wku, because Western was playing terrible
(32:53):
but they ran into a Western team that got hot
at the right time, and Western without Dante Allen
was able to be Utp pretty easily without being able to make an exterior shot. You know, we couldn't make threes that always shot 15% or something. I don't know what it was.
Devin Stewart (33:14):
18 total, percent, yeah.
Matthew McCay (33:16):
18%. Yeah, okay, well, I was in the teens. It was like 3 for
17, or whatever that number was.
and
I mean we still weren't completely in control that game and really won it fairly easily. Of course you tip took a lead, but we made a run right back after that took it right back.
(33:36):
and the game was over. And it was over pretty early.
so I mean
it just felt so good. And and we did luck out, I mean no question if you had to face Sam Houston and Lontec instead of middle and u temp.
or even play liberty instead of
U temp like it would have been a tougher road. But
(34:00):
you know what we didn't, and we won. And we're in the instead of a tournament. We're playing Marquette, baby.
Let's make a run.
Devin Stewart (34:06):
And yeah, it's honestly it feels so good to to
to be able to say that we're in the tournament, I mean.
and to think that it has been what, 11 years since Western has made a tournament run.
Matthew McCay (34:21):
Yeah.
Yeah. Which, by the way, we had 2 good articles from Fletcher and Ross.
That talked about how.
Devin Stewart (34:29):
Well.
Matthew McCay (34:29):
Be.
Devin Stewart (34:30):
There's a there's a novel by Ross, but.
Matthew McCay (34:32):
Right. It is a full length.
It should be published, and on shelves soon
Devin Stewart (34:41):
Anyway.
Matthew McCay (34:42):
Really good really good essays, but
by some of our older members of the Tower, but I mean
coming out of retirement and all that.
Devin Stewart (34:51):
Older members.
Matthew McCay (34:53):
Our veterans.
Devin Stewart (34:55):
Yeah, we had to take Ross's pudding cup so he would write an article for us is basically.
Matthew McCay (34:59):
That's it. Yeah.
Devin Stewart (35:01):
Basically.
Matthew McCay (35:03):
It was pure manipulation that he actually wrote the article. He was desperate.
Devin Stewart (35:07):
And I.
Matthew McCay (35:08):
It's pretty cup.
Devin Stewart (35:08):
I I will say another thing I was really happy about is location for the tournament this year.
Matthew McCay (35:16):
Yes.
Devin Stewart (35:17):
We have been saying on the podcast, for years, me and you, Jared, everybody is this needs to be more centralized. Why do you have it in Texas. That's horrible! And then the iron curtain between the games was so ridiculous, and you know, and I think, and a correct me. If I'm wrong. I'd have to go back and listen to some of our episodes. But
I'm pretty sure that we said Birmingham, Alabama, Huntsville. Any of those right there in Alabama would be perfect.
(35:43):
And Judy's been listening to the podcast evidently because this is what we've been preaching.
Matthew McCay (35:49):
Yes. G.
Devin Stewart (35:50):
So.
Matthew McCay (35:51):
Judy. Thank you.
Devin Stewart (35:53):
Judy Tootie.
Matthew McCay (35:54):
Appreciate you.
I mean, yeah, it was perfect. Like. First of all, I don't understand how Comrade is. They couldn't be thrilled.
Middle showed up.
Yeah, as much as Wk, you or more. I mean, it was right there, comparable, I think Middle probably had slightly more than Western. They're also.
Devin Stewart (36:14):
The championship. Did you have more.
Matthew McCay (36:17):
It was. It was even, I mean, they filled out the whole lower bowl for their women, and then was a little.
I don't wanna say weird? Because I mean, actually, I respect this part of their program. Is their fans actually almost
care more about their women's basketball than their men, even when their men were really good with Kermit, and they were going to the tournament.
(36:41):
Their women had more followers and more people in the stands than their men. And so it's interesting. Because with Western, like, you're gonna have.
you know, 100 people at a women's game and 2,000 at a guys game at a tournament.
Devin Stewart (36:54):
Wow! But you know.
Matthew McCay (36:56):
You know, regardless it was. It was just awesome to see, you know. Western turned out middle turned out there were some good atmospheres. Really, no one else showed up. But basically Western and Middle made that tournament
a success, and I have no
reason to think that they shouldn't be thrilled with how many people were there for the finals. It was a real atmosphere for both games.
(37:21):
Western brought down a good chunk for the quarters and semis. And then for the finals, we we pack that thing out.
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (37:29):
Yeah, I had some old some old Facebook alumni schoolmates, whatever that went to Western. And the funny thing is, I know for a fact, one of them started out and Nashville at Uk. Sec. Tournament.
and then when they got knocked out, they're like, Hey, let's just go on down to Huntsville. We'll go watch Western play.
Matthew McCay (37:49):
Yeah.
Devin Stewart (37:49):
So so the bad thing is is, I guess they weren't planning on it because they didn't have any Western gear on at the Western tournament with their pictures. So they're just like hit t-shirts and coats and stuff. And you're like, Okay.
so that wasn't planned. But that's fine, you know. Hey? We'll take you. Come on down but I mean watching the game.
(38:11):
It was very exciting.
and playing U tip, and knowing what their strategy is, it was a lot of
Honestly, I was nervous there for a few minutes, and then you made a pretty good run right there at the end, and I thought.
Matthew McCay (38:27):
I have slow.
Devin Stewart (38:28):
But what's his name? Powell? What's his first name?
Matthew McCay (38:32):
Zid.
Devin Stewart (38:33):
Is it? Zid? Yeah. Zid, yeah.
Matthew McCay (38:34):
That dude couldn't miss for a while. It was definitely.
Devin Stewart (38:37):
Oh, and then they didn't go back to him.
Matthew McCay (38:40):
Yeah, let's.
Devin Stewart (38:41):
Zip Zip Powell place for UT. And they didn't. They did not go back to him. He was hidden
like that Bailey kid was. And I thought, we're in trouble if they keep going to him. And then they quit.
And it was like, Okay, Okay, that's fine with me. You just stop doing him. That's what it works.
Matthew McCay (38:57):
Thank you very much.
Devin Stewart (38:58):
Yeah, you made it so much easier for us.
absolutely.
But yeah, so what are you thinking? As far as going at looking at Martech at Marquette
Western. Yeah.
Matthew McCay (39:10):
So.
Devin Stewart (39:10):
Okay. Coming up on Friday one pm. Central time.
But go ahead. Sorry.
Matthew McCay (39:16):
Yeah, no, you're good. Well, first of all, as a Western 15 C. Plan number 2, Marquette. So
market is legit, I mean, let's not. Let's not sugar coat that part of it.
They! I was looking at their schedule, my lord. They played some really good teams. They played, you know. They played Kansas. They played.
(39:38):
they played in the Maui invitational
like. They had a legit
conference and non-conference schedule. They had Creighton in their conference. They had you calling in their conference.
Yukon beat them 3 times.
They have 9 total losses, but every one of their losses were a quality loss against, I believe, against the rank team. I I don't know if they had a loss against
(40:01):
a non rank team.
but it was. It's impressive to look at their resume. They also their point guard, who averages 7 and a half assist and 15 or 16 points a game.
I guess. Colic, I think, is his last name.
Devin Stewart (40:21):
Yes, I've got it here. Yeah.
little ginger looking dude.
Matthew McCay (40:24):
Yeah, he's a he's a pretty solid player, and he has been out the last 8 games, and he should be back. He should be back this game. So that's a little terrifying that they made a 2 seed, despite having their point guard out
for the last 8 games.
Devin Stewart (40:43):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (40:44):
And so there to be respected.
However, I also think that Wku is not your typical 15 seat, I mean
Western. When when you look back at their schedule, you could argue that they
should have, or could have won, all but one of their games, and they have 11 losses.
(41:05):
And so you know, the Wichita state game. It seems like Wk. Was probably not gonna win that
they were just kind of snake bit. Couldn't make a 3 whatever road
they were, gonna win that game. But every other game
was either a conference game that we we know how close conference games were, or it was the the meltdowns in Canada.
(41:26):
or it was the Wichita State game. There were only 3 losses and non conference, and both of those 2 losses in Canada. We had double digit leads, and then in conference. We all know that we had meltdowns like 23 points against New Mexico State.
you know, handing teams 14 point leads and then coming back and almost winning. Anyway, you know.
(41:48):
I'm not saying that. Wk, you should be
whatever it would be
32, and one. I'm not saying that.
but they're much better retained than their record
and I think that
if wk you plays like they did in the conference tournament
absolutely can have a chance against Marquette. I am concerned
(42:12):
deeply because Marquette
I believe they they you know they force some turnovers.
They have good guard play, you know, like there's no one in comfort. Say that compares to 7 and a half assists a game.
There aren't very many teams that have
1617 point scores.
(42:33):
So there is a higher quality to their team than than some of the teams that we played. However, it's March, and it's Western Kentucky, and we're better than the seed that we have. And so I would say, we absolutely have a shot at it.
and if we can find a way past market.
the door opens
wide open
(42:53):
to to all kinds of possibilities after that, because if you could beat Marquette, you can certainly beat a 10 or 7 seed.
you can, certainly.
Then you play. You possibly play Uk in the sweet 16.
That would be really interesting.
And certainly the thoughts will be motivated and would not go into that game scared.
(43:17):
you know. I I mean.
the possibilities are
are endless. Really, if you can get past Marquette.
But the question is, can they?
I'm excited to see it, you know I'm going. I know we have 5 or 6 tower people going
and it should be an exciting game, and it's in indie like there's no way.
Devin Stewart (43:42):
Basically a home game.
Matthew McCay (43:44):
Yeah, I mean, it's gonna be the 2, the 2 biggest fan bases there are gonna be Wku and Marquette marquettes, you know, in Milwaukee, so they're fairly close to Indy.
Devin Stewart (43:55):
Probably Uk too, but.
Matthew McCay (43:58):
Yeah, but Uk is not in in.
Devin Stewart (44:00):
Oh, I'm sorry they're in Pittsburgh. Yeah, you're my bad.
Matthew McCay (44:02):
And is good.
But
yeah, I mean,
if Western happens to beat Marquette
Red should dominate Indianapolis
after that moment, because all the market people won't be there, and it'll be wk, use the only team that's close.
Devin Stewart (44:20):
Yeah.
Matthew McCay (44:20):
So it it should be interesting. I'm really excited. I'm hoping there's a ton of red, and I'm hoping that it's like
Huntsville, where, you know, we take over the stadium and give our team a chance to
to to make a big upset.
Devin Stewart (44:36):
It would be very interesting to see
if I'm not mistaken. Purdue's there, too, right.
According to the bracket cause it's got us, I'm guessing. Florida. Boise, Marquette.
I'm kind of skimming through some of these others.
Matthew McCay (44:54):
Yeah, let me pull up a bracket.
Devin Stewart (44:56):
But it looks like Texas Tech, Nc. State. Kentucky, and Oakland are in Pittsburgh.
and then South Carolina, Oregon, Creighton, Akron, are in Pittsburgh as well.
But yeah, I mean.
so
I had a debate with my father earlier about this. He's a Uk fan. Okay?
(45:21):
I debated that I told him that Kentucky gets into the tournament every year because they're a legacy team.
whether they deserve it or not. They're in the bracket normally.
and a lot of that is because of ratings.
not because of deserving it.
Just so.
Matthew McCay (45:42):
Oh, that'll piss off a.
Devin Stewart (45:45):
Well, it did I? I did. I did. I did. I did piss myself.
But it's you know it's that's my thing is is. It's like there's several years where Kentucky
has just been the bottom of the barrel and done horrible.
And this is from a non Uk fan. So you imagine what Uk fans are doing burning couches? But
(46:07):
you know, and they'll get into the tournament, and they'll go to one round next round. They're out.
and I'm sorry. But if I'm a UK. Fan, if you're not making the elite 8, that's a horrible year.
and you haven't won a title in over 12 years.
That's worse than Stansberry in my eyes, for at least for a UK. Fan. But
(46:27):
I digress.
I I I'm I'm a little shaded when it comes to blue, but
as far as but as far as Marquet's concerned you know, they're 25 of 9 for the season, so they've done really, really well. But, like you said, if Western can get past Marquet.
you've got Florida
(46:48):
You got probably Gonna play either Florida or is it Boise State or Colorado, who who got in.
Matthew McCay (46:55):
They.
Devin Stewart (46:55):
Played the bubble game.
Matthew McCay (46:57):
Not they play it to.
Devin Stewart (46:58):
Oh, they play in Dayton tonight. Okay.
I think it's Dayton.
I'm looking at a bracket. So it's kinda hard to read on the screen.
But yeah, so they're gonna play tonight. So we'll know a little bit more tomorrow. But
you know, you're looking at a possibly a pretty good game.
You know, especially this coming game is, gonna be good if Western can do what they need to do.
(47:20):
and you know.
stop them. Do what they need to do. I mean, the bad thing is is we've got mark Espn has Western
at 5.6% chance to win.
If you put down $10, according to Vegas, you will make 80 bucks this week.
Western is that plus 800 money line.
(47:43):
So. Is it a good bet? No, I would not bet it. But points wise it could be interesting.
Matthew McCay (47:52):
Yeah, I mean, well, okay, if you look the last 3 years.
a 15 is upset or 2 every single year. So that's 25%
in the last 3 years. So if you're saying that you put in 10 bucks and you get 80
at least within the last couple of years. The odds are in your favor that you.
Devin Stewart (48:14):
True.
Matthew McCay (48:15):
That you make that you make do on that bit. Now.
Devin Stewart (48:18):
It could be.
Matthew McCay (48:19):
The chances of pursuing.
Devin Stewart (48:21):
Be 75% the other way, though
one of the other 2 fifteens makes it.
Matthew McCay (48:26):
But if you from a gambling perspective, that's a good bet. Now, you don't want to put your life savings on it.
You don't wanna put something that that hurts you, but I mean
I would debate. But.
Devin Stewart (48:40):
You know what, Matt, you've talked me into it? I'm gonna put $40,000 on Western to win this. We're gonna trip.
Matthew McCay (48:47):
Well.
Devin Stewart (48:48):
Money today.
Matthew McCay (48:49):
Well, hey, man, I hope that 3 20 comes your way. But
Devin Stewart (48:53):
Yeah, right? Okay, that's not happening. So real quick here towards into the podcast. I do have a couple of other things.
Mchenry. Don Mchenry was named to the N. ABC. All district first team. So that's great.
That's the National Association of Basketball coaches. Division one all District 11 named him as their first team.
(49:15):
I thought I thought
Don Mckenry did a great job
and honestly, I thought he did pretty good in the interviews, too, and post game stuff just watching and listening so congratulations to Mr. Mchenry for winning that. And then a coach. Lutz was actually named a finalist for the Skip
Prosser, man of the year award so congratulations to him.
(49:38):
This award honors those who not only achieve success on the basketball court, but who display moral integrity, integrity on and off of it as well.
This is the second Straight Year coach. Let's been named a finalist for the award.
So congratulations, coach Lutz, that's awesome. But
(49:59):
and Western will be playing on Friday on Tvs at what do we say? One pm. Central time. So it's 2 Pm.
Eastern time for those of you on the eastern time of Kentucky.
And then if they win, they will be playing the winner of Florida versus Boise or Colorado State.
and
(50:21):
so check back here, check Towak. We will be doing updates on all that
as far as the game goes, they'll be doing live tweets and
well, maybe posting a press conference after. Well, no, we won't be. We don't have press passes, because
somebody at the school decided we didn't need them this time. So anyway.
but we will be updating scores and stuff, and we'll be back next week
(50:46):
win or lose to recap the game, and either preview the next one, or talk about summer and what we're gonna be, how our summer schedule is going to be going
we'll try to do an episode a month or so, or every couple of weeks at least, to kinda update and talk to people and let you know how everything's going.
like, I said. Men's basketball plays, and there is a series for baseball.
(51:10):
I will post those in the corner, so you all can watch them at this point.
and then
make my note here.
but definitely check back. And we will be covering more Western sports
coming up this week this next couple of weeks, and
(51:35):
I've gotten everything. Isn't that it.
Matthew McCay (51:38):
That's about it. Just freaking. Let's go, man.
Devin Stewart (51:42):
Yup, let's go.
Matthew McCay (51:42):
It's our. It's our time. Man, let's go. Let's go win some.
Devin Stewart (51:46):
It's time to go dancing, man, No. One dancing. We're going dancing. So let's go tops. And we appreciate you all following us this long. And yeah, you can't tell it, but I am swaying right now. And let's go tops.
Matthew McCay (52:01):
Let's get it.
Devin Stewart (52:02):
Tops, beat market.
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