Sports Editor Nick Kieser and men's basketball beat reporter Kaden Gaylord dissect the Hilltoppers loss in the C-USA Championship game against North Texas. Following the loss in the championship and missing an opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament WKU has accepted a bid to the NIT.  Keep up with the latest in WKU sports by listening to the weekly update from the Herald Sports staff. 

Topper Talk

Hilltoppers to play in NIT

Sports Editor Nick Kieser sits down with Drew Toennies who just finished his coverage of the women's basketball season. Drew breaks down the 83-77 OT loss on March 9 that concluded the Lady Toppers season. A clip from Greg Collins reveals how he feels about his teams play this season during a COVID-19 year.  The duo also breaks down how the Hilltopper basketball team matches up for their first round matchup. As of March 10 the Hilltoppers will either play UTSA or Charlotte.  

Lady Toppers OT heartbreaker, Hilltoppers set for round 1

Sports Editor Nick Kieser welcomes sports reporter Matthew Hargrove and staff photographer Gunnar Word for the 21st installment of Topper Extra. Gunnar answers questions from Nick and Matthew about being a photographer for the College Heights Herald and shooting pictures during the COVID-19 pandemic.  WKU men's and women's basketball are entering into their respective season finales against Old Dominion this weekend. Then the WKU baseball and softball programs are back in action this weekend as well. The Lady Topper soccer program hosts FIU on March 4 to open home play this spring.  Stay tuned in for the weekly show with the College Heights Herald sports staff. Articles can be found on wkuherald.com/sports/ 

WKU Basketball season finale, behind the lens perspective

Sports Editor Nick Kieser and baseball beat reporter Wyatt Sparkman hop on after a one week hiatus to catch up to speed on WKU sports.  The softball and baseball programs are back and the basketball programs bounce back after a week off due to the snow. The Hilltopper basketball team will play #6 Houston this Thursday (Feb. 24) then host FIU at home this weekend on Feb. 28 and March 1. Also, head coach Rick Stansbury shared his thoughts on his teams matchup with Houston this week. The Lady Toppers will travel to Miami to play at FIU this Friday and Saturday.  WKU Soccer is back as well after a 4-0 road win at Southern Illinois. They'll be at MTSU this Friday to open C-USA play. Track and Field also finished off its indoor season over the weekend at the C-USA Championships. 

Back on the diamond, Hilltoppers to play #6 Houston

On episode 19 of Topper Extra Sports Editor Nick Kieser and sports reporter Matthew Hargrove break down what WKU teams are finally back after a year long wait. The Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers basketball teams tipoff against Rice this weekend along with WKU softball. Soccer is back as well and WKU baseball announced its schedule on Monday Feb. 8. Also, the No. 23 Lady Topper volleyball team is entering into its second week of Conference USA play as well this coming weekend.  Stay tuned for all of the live coverage and articles on wkuherald.com/sports. 

Sports mania on the Hill

On episode 18 of Topper Extra Sports Editor Nick Kieser brings men's basketball beat reporter Kaden Gaylord & women's basketball beat reporter Drew Toennies on the show to talk about this past weekend and what's ahead this weekend.  The Hilltoppers will head down to the sunshine state to take on Florida Atlantic and the Lady Toppers will host the Lady Owls in Diddle arena. Meral Abdelgawad from the Lady Toppers hit a game winning buzzer beater shot in triple overtime on Jan. 29 to lift her team over Charlotte 100-99. The Hilltoppers had a weekend off since Old Dominion postponed last week and now they go on the road to try and keep their four game winning streak alive. 

Triple overtime thriller, FAU series up next

Sports Editor Nick Kieser brings on men's basketball beat reporter Kaden Gaylord and Football/Baseball beat reporter Matthew Hargrove for this weeks edition of the show.  Both Hilltopper basketball programs have their series with Old Dominion postponed due to COVID-19 issues in the Monarch programs. Kaden breaks down all of the latest in WKU basketball, including Charles Bassey continuing to dominate this season earning his sixth C-USA player of the week. Matthew shares his thoughts on the faces hired on WKU's football staff and what to look forward to ahead of this spring.  Read about sports on the Hill at WKU Herald Sports. 

WKU basketball postponed, revamped football staff

During this week's edition of Topper Talk Sports Editor Nick Kieser sits down inside Student Publications for the first time this school year for a recording. He is joined by men's basketball beat reporter Kaden Gaylord and women's basketball beat reporter Drew Toennies. The beat reporters catch up with Nick about the respective programs series against Marshall and what's to come this week against MTSU. 

WKU basketball, spring semester has arrived

Sports Editor Nick Kieser and the College Heights Herald sports staff catch you up to speed since the last recording on Dec. 23.  Men's basketball beat reporter Kaden Gaylord (3:00-14:20) highlights what the first C-USA matchup with Charlotte was like and previews the LA Tech series on Jan. 8-9.  Also, head coach Rick Stansbury (12:56-13:33) shares his thoughts on the matchup against LA Tech. Women's basketball beat reporter Drew Toennies debuts on the show (14:25-23:45) and reviews how the Lady Toppers have been and what to expect against LA Tech in their first C-USA series this season against the Lady Techsters.  To wrap it up football beat reporter Matthew Hargrove hops on (24:05-41:07) to talk about the rumblings over in Houchens-Smith Stadium and some new faces that signed with the program. 

C-USA basketball underway, new faces in football

Sports Editor Nick Kieser and his staff are back right before Christmas to record the latest episode of Topper Talk.  This week Nick opens the show (1:08-3:15) by remembering former staff member Elliott Wells, who passed away on Dec. 18. Men's basketball beat reporter Kaden Gaylord joins the show (6:04-25:40) to talk about the Hilltopper's latest win against Tennessee Tech and their recent success. Head coach Rick Stansbury (16:17-18:19) shares his thoughts on the team's progress so far before conference play opens up on Jan. 1-2.  Football beat reporter Matthew Hargrove hops on to talk about WKU football (25:57-50:51) prior to the LendingTree Bowl on Dec. 26. Head coach Tyson Helton (41:15-42:36) shares his analysis on the matchup against Georgia State to wrap up the show. 

A merry time on the Hill, remembering a friend

This week on the resurgence of Topper Talk Sports Editor Nick Kieser takes over as host of the show and welcomes men's basketball beat reporter Kaden Gaylord and football beat reporter Matthew Hargrove.  Nick and Kaden talk Hilltopper basketball (4:46-24:00) with the addition of some soundbites from head coach Rick Stansbury (15:06-17:46) and senior Josh Anderson (23:04-23:24). Then at (24:06-30:59), Nick brings to light what is happening with the Lady Topper basketball team with head coach Greg Collins giving his take (28:23-29:13) on the team's loss at Little Rock on Dec. 13.  Nick and Matthew touch on the latest with WKU football in the final segment (31:16-47:37) and what it means to get a bowl game after a 5-6 regular season. Head coach Tyson Helton shares his thought on the bowl game (38:36-40:11) and Athletic Director Todd Stewart speaks on the achievement as well (47:38-48:51) to wrap up the episode. 

Dominant Hilltopper Basketball, WKU LendingTree Bowl bound

This special edition episode of Topper Talk is brought to you by Graves Gilbert Clinic and Mariah's. College Heights Herald Sports Editor Drake Kizer opens a special bowl game edition of the show (0:00-1:10) before sharing an audio clip from head coach Tyson Helton (1:11-2:48). Producer Mark Webster Jr. joins the show to discuss the Hilltoppers' upcoming bowl game against Western Michigan, his relationship with Broncos running back LeVante Bellamy and the WKU defense (2:49-17:09). Audio clips from defensive coordinator Clayton White (17:11-17:33), junior defensive end DeAngelo Malone (17:34-17:45) and redshirt junior safety Devon Key (17-46-18:00). What the WKU offense has to do against the WMU defense (18:01-26:52). Audio clips from offensive coordinator Bryan Ellis (26:53-27:32), redshirt senior receiver Lucky Jackson (27:33-27:46) and graduate transfer quarterback Ty Storey (27:47-28:06). Predictions for the First Responder Bowl (28:07-36:04).

First Responder Bowl preview, Western Michigan analysis, comments from WKU football team and more

College Heights Herald Sports Editor Drake Kizer opens the show (0:00-0:40). Football beat writer Alec Jessie joins the show to discuss the Hilltoppers' upcoming road game against C-USA opponent Southern Mississippi and a program-defining road win against SEC opponent Arkansas prior to the bye week (0:41-14:17). Sports Editor Drake Kizer shares an audio clip from head coach Tyson Helton (14:18-15:36) before introducing quotes from women's basketball head coach Greg Collins (15:37-16:38) and men's basketball head coach Rick Stansbury (16:39-18:27). Sports Editor Drake Kizer gives an update on the WKU volleyball team in the newest addition to the show, "Views from the Hill" (18:28-19:50) and shares an audio clip from head coach Travis Hudson (19:51-20:38). Producer Mark Webster Jr. brings in volleyball beat writer Kaden Gaylord to debate whether or not WKU will knock down Southern Miss this weekend (20:39-27:57).

WKU vs. Southern Miss preview, volleyball's C-USA crown, comments from four WKU head coaches and more

College Heights Herald Sports Editor Drake Kizer opens the show (0:00-0:42). Football beat writer Alec Jessie joins the show to discuss the Hilltoppers' upcoming road game against SEC opponent Arkansas and a critical home loss against Florida Atlantic last week (0:43-12:55). Sports Editor Drake Kizer shares audio clips from head coach Tyson Helton (12:56-14:37) and starting quarterback Ty Storey (14:38-15:05) before introducing quotes from women's basketball head coach Greg Collins (15:06-16:10) and men's basketball head coach Rick Stansbury (16:11-17:09). Sports Editor Drake Kizer gives an update on the WKU volleyball and soccer teams in the newest addition to the show, "Views from the Hill" (17:10-18:58) and shares an audio clip from head coach Travis Hudson (18:59-20:25). Producer Mark Webster Jr. brings in volleyball beat writer Kaden Gaylord to debate whether or not Ty Storey will have a breakout game against his former coach and teammates at Arkansas (20:26-27:40).

WKU vs. Arkansas preview, Ty Storey's return to Fayetteville, exclusive audio from four WKU head coaches and more

College Heights Herald Sports Editor Drake Kizer opens the show (0:00-0:42). Football beat writer Alec Jessie joins the show to discuss the Hilltoppers' upcoming home game against Florida Atlantic and a heartbreaking road loss at Marshall last week (0:43-15:52). Sports Editor Drake Kizer shares an audio clip from head coach Tyson Helton (15:53-16:59) before introducing quotes from women's basketball head coach Greg Collins (17:00-18:25), redshirt senior Dee Givens (18:26-18:43), men's basketball head coach Rick Stansbury (18:44-19:35) and sophomore center Charles Bassey (19:36-20:12). Sports Editor Drake Kizer gives an update on the WKU volleyball and soccer teams in the newest addition to the show, "Views from the Hill" (20:13-21:52). Producer Mark Webster Jr. brings in volleyball beat writer Kaden Gaylord to debate whether or not the FAU game is another must-win game for the WKU football team (21:53-29:54).

WKU vs. FAU preview, exclusive comments from coaches and players at WKU basketball media day and more

Topper Talk is brought to you by the College Heights Herald and the WKU Herald Sports section. The show covers athletic discussion and news at Western Kentucky University. Herald Sports Editor Drake Kizer hosts each Friday, while the sports staff discusses, analyzes and even debates the latest in the world of WKU sports.

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