While coaches and players are focusing on the opening games of the basketball season some fans are talking about Western’s chances of advancing to the NCAA Tournament. But before the Hilltoppers and first-year coach Darrin Horn can advance to the Big Dance, they will have to make it through a regular season that includes five NCAA tournament teams from last season.

It didn’t take long for the young staff of Western’s men’s basketball to gain a little experience. Western basketball coach Darrin Horn has added an additional coach to his depleted staff. Lady Topper coaching legend Paul Sanderford joined Horn on the bench for the Auburn game and will be an assistant for the rest of this season.

They spent a year sweating on treadmills and wearing out knee braces. Now they’re trying to restart their basketball careers. The preseason expectations were quite different a year ago for Hilltopper senior Todor Pandov and Lady Topper junior Camryn Whitaker.

Lady Topper coach Mary Taylor Cowles is used to staring down the bench and seeing more coaches than reserves. Last season, Western suited up with only nine active players. This season, Cowles will notice a lack of height when she needs to call on a reserve.