Still Rollin' With the Big Boys

Western Kentucky's Still Got Game

Western Kentucky kind of reminds me of myself when I was about 4. I had this huge monster truck that I would ride around the yard that was way too big for me. Everyone told me I was going to get killed on it, but I whirred around in it anyway and, no matter how many times I nearly fell off, I managed to stay on it and eventually grow into it. Yeah, okay, I'll get to the point. Western Kentucky seemed to be in over their heads at first. Until they dethroned the big players and upset the balance of things, that is. With Ty Rogers 26 foot super shot, their chance at the Sweet 16 hadn't improved all that much in my book. Sure, I like to root for the underdog from time to time. And they had upset the seemingly normal working order of the world by sending number 5 seed Drake packing. The question was, though: did they have it in them to do it again? Well, Courtney Lee says, "Yes."

Though the Hilltoppers haven't made it to the Sweet 16 since 1993, they managed to come back with a fire, beating out San Diego by 11 points. Lucky for Western Kentucky, San Diego was also an underdog with a less than stellar record. But, hey, all that matters is that they can have their cake and shove it in losing team's faces, too. With a 5 point lead and 45 seconds to go, Western Kentucky drank from their multiple-free throw juice boxes and scored 8 of them. (6 coming from Courtney Lee, 2 from A.J. Slaughter, which I think is a great name, by the way.)

But Lee has taken it upon himself to take the Hilltoppers to the Final Four and possibly the championship title itself in honor of his late friend's memory. Though just a few days ago not many even thought the Sweet 16 was possible, the Final Four is starting to become a little bit closer to a realization. But just a little. A lot of prayers and skill will need to go into Thursday's game if Western Kentucky plans to stay on the road to the Final Four. The problem for the Hilltoppers is that they beat the tough guys and they beat the somehow previously victorious weak guys . . . but UCLA? San Diego was actually a seed beneath Western Kentucky, coming in at number 13. Drake was difficult enough as a number 5, but I mean UCLA? As in number one seed and number one in championship wins (11 times!)? I'm all for miracles and believe anything is possible, but it's of my strongest opinion that without some kind of intervention, UCLA will wear Western Kentucky as a pair of old house shoes and proceed to wipe the floor with them until there's nothing left but a pile of mush. But I would like to be pleasantly surprised. I enjoy upsets, the unconventional, all of that. But if all else fails, at least the Hilltoppers can get in their monster truck and ride away into the sunset, having grown up quite a bit and regaining spots on the pages of history. *insert cowboy music here*

- Heather Akena

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Created by: HeatherAkena