Everybody knows that the state of Kentucky loves basketball, and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers shouldn’t be forgotten as one of the marquee programs in the Blue Grass State. As a mid-major program, it’s a lot easier for fans to find cheap Western Kentucky basketball tickets than the powerhouse programs in the state. Of course, the Hilltoppers have a better mascot than their in-state rivals and nearly as much history. With dozens of regular-season and conference tournament championships, the Hilltoppers have long been a program worth watching, keeping last-minute Western Kentucky basketball tickets in high demand.

Just the Beginning

Western Kentucky began playing basketball in 1924. The Hilltoppers only needed to wait until 1922 for Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle to take over and make WKU a prominent program. In 42 seasons, Diddle won 759 games and 24 conference championships, including 12 in a row from 1932 to 1943, and had just five losing seasons. Before retiring in 1964, Diddle led the Hilltoppers to the Final Four of the NIT three times and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in both 1960 and 1962.

Replacing a Legend

Oddly enough, WKU didn’t have that much trouble replacing Diddle. John Oldham, who played for Diddle in the 1940s, became his successor and led the Hilltoppers to four Ohio Valley Conference titles in his seven seasons. He completed his tenure at Western Kentucky with the program’s first Final Four appearance in 1971, although the accomplishment was later vacated by the NCAA.

Still Growing

In recent years, the Hilltoppers have struggled to sustain success. However, Western Kentucky never disappears for too long. WKU has made Sweet 16 runs in 1978, 1993, and 2008 and never goes more than a few years without returning to the NCAA Tournament. A move to Conference-USA in 2014 created a new challenge for the Hilltoppers. But with Kentucky native, Rick Stansbury, taking over as head coach in 2016, WKU is in good shape and has a promising future ahead.