By the standards of NCAA basketball programs, the opportunity Western currently has is something almost unheard of.
The Toppers are an enigma of sorts in college basketball: Enough history to be considered a major program, but judging by its conference affiliation, they’re considered a mid-major by most of the college basketball world.
That’s what makes the stretch of schedule that Western is currently playing unique and imperative to the success of their season.
Starting on Nov. 22, Western had a decent run in the Great Alaska Shootout, losing by three to No. 17 Gonzaga, and beating Big Ten doormat Michigan by four. The nail-biter loss at Northern Arizona that followed will hurt some come tournament-selection time, but the postseason implications of three of the Toppers’ next five games will be as crucial as Eva Longoria remaining on the cast of Desperate Housewives so men will watch.
Yes, that crucial.
Including last night’s victory over Nebraska, the Toppers will play No.10 Tennessee in Nashville on Dec. 15, and at perennial NCAA tourney buster Southern Illinois on Dec. 22.
Both of those teams have made the NCAA tournament the past two years, and both are teams that are far from cellar-dwellers in their respective conferences.
That means Ws over both teams would be a boost in Western’s chances of snapping a five-year Big Dance drought.
A giant boost. A Sonic-the-Hedgehog-on-stimulants size boost.
All this will have to be paired up with a solid showing in Sun Belt Conference play. But if Western can pull off victories against the likes of these guys, then conference play should be a tournament anointment for Darrin Horn and Co.
They have all the tools to do it. They can win when having to adjust to teams with a run-and-gun offense (Michigan), and a slower, more deliberate pace (Nebraska).
They’ve proven they can be the David to the big boys’ Goliath this season, going 2-0 against BCS conference opponents so far, with one more on the way next Saturday.
Getting at least one victory over either the Volunteers or the Salukis would all but stuff any argument the Toppers have very few solid non-conference wins.
But they have to play better than they did against the Husker on Wednesday night. They forced 23 turnovers, but gave away 21 of their own, something that won’t be allowable on two teams that forced Western into 31 turnovers in two games last season.
Two games fill in the holes until the Armageddon showdowns, at home against little-known North Carolina Central and at rival Eastern Kentucky, which can’t be overlooked, but are definitely overshadowed.
It will be a tough task, but it’s a task that Western has proven it can accomplish.
But their chance to separate themselves from that group has arrived, and they will able to further rid themselves of that label, particularly in the next two-and-a-half weeks.
Reach David Harten at sports@chherald.com.
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