This is the Potter’s House.

Dennis Felton art the potter; Western basketball art the clay.

A pious reference is applicable here not because basketball is the Western coach’s religion, but because to many, basketball in Kentucky is.

Senior Nate Williams remembers the old days. Three years ago, the mission was surviving a three-hour practice. In those days, Western was building a Sun Belt Conference contender.

Individual game tickets for 2002-03 Hilltopper and Lady Topper basketball home games are still on sale.

Western will be led by a trio of stars this season, but the real strength of this team may come from some hidden talent.

The Hilltoppers return their top three leading scorers from a year ago. Senior center Chris Marcus, senior forward David Boyden and sophomore guard Patrick Sparks are the notable names on a team who will garner an unprecedented amount of attention and hype.