Should the Hilltoppers be ranked in the Top 25?

A 14-5 record is pretty astounding, and one that gives some people the thought that the Hilltoppers could be ranked in the top 25. There are four teams with 14 or fewer wins currently in the AP Top 25; #19 Texas (14-6), #21 Georgetown (14-5), #23 Miami (Fla.) (14-5), and #24 Oklahoma (12-7). However, despite the record, the true question is should the Hilltoppers be ranked?

Jan 22, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach Ray Harper celebrates with fans after the second half at E.A. Diddle Arena. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated UTEP Miners 71-66 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

WKU started the season on a rough note, dropping three of their first four outings compiling a record of 1-3. One of those losses were understandable, that being Minnesota, however the other two were plain sad – a 64-63 loss to Belmont (90 RPI rank) at home, in which the Tops blew a double digit point lead in the second half and a 71-61 loss to Stony Brook (92 RPI rank) in New York. You must also add the 93-81 loss at Murray State, who has an RPI rank of 81. The Tops also have a few quality wins according to the RPI, as the boys in red defeated two top 50 RPI teams in Ole Miss (#48) and Old Dominion (#42).

Now, to put things into perspective, the Hilltoppers are ranked 66 according to that same RPI poll. The teams WKU lost to could have definitely been worse according to the RPI, but the wins the Tops earned were of good quality.

Now to compare the RPI to the actuality of the top 25; Texas and Georgetown both boast lofty rankings – the Longhorns at 28th and the Hoyas at 13th. Oklahoma sits at #30 and Miami, loss to Eastern Kentucky and all, is at #37 closing things out for our WKU comparison.

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WKU does boast a 7-0 conference record, and is just one of 14 teams in the nation to have that undefeated record in conference play. (Well, actually there are 15, if you count New Jersey Tech, who happens to be an independent team so

can’t

have a conference win.) The Hilltoppers have achieved that undefeated record over a top 25 team in Old Dominion, justifying the right to petition for a top 25 bid am I correct?

Wrong. The guys at the Associated Press have yet to see fit to give the Hilltoppers a crack at the top 25 with no votes being thrown their way. Along with Old Dominion, the only other team in C-USA to garner votes so far this season is Louisiana Tech.

Jan 22, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers forward George Fant (44) dunks the ball during the second half against UTEP Miners at E.A. Diddle Arena. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated UTEP Miners 71-66 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

Now, to lay aside all the stats, and small facts, I come to my own conclusion to this question. While it would be awesome to see our Hilltoppers etch their way into the prestigious poll, I don’t think they deserve it just yet. WKU has quality wins, but not enough to make their 14 wins an argument to the AP, plus the fact that two of those wins don’t even count in the RPI since they were dubs against non-Division 1 schools (Brescia and Alice Llyod). In addition, the losses WKU has suffered hinder the petition, when three of those losses arguably should have been wins (Belmont, Stony Brook and Murray State). If you flip those games to wins, leaving WKU with a 17-2 record, then I easily place the Tops in the top 25. But, as it currently stands, WKU with a 14-5 record, despite the prestigious 7-0 conference record, the two lone quality wins along with the undefeated stat in C-USA play isn’t enough to bump them into the ranked status.

But, if the Hilltoppers continue their winning ways, then I do believe they will start to receive votes. Their next feat will be tough one, and a huge quality win if earned on the road against Louisiana Tech tomorrow night, who is currently tied with UAB for 2nd in C-USA standings.

Do you think the Hilltoppers should find themselves in the AP Top 25? Or, at the very least, should they be receiving votes? Let us know in a comment below or on twitter @WaveTheRedTowel.

Next: The Tops Have a Verbal Commitment from the #2 QB in Kentucky. No, Really.

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