1938–39 Western Kentucky State Teachers Hilltoppers basketball team

The 1938–39 Western Kentucky State Teachers Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College (now known as Western Kentucky University) during the 1938-39 NCAA basketball season. The team was led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle. Former All-State player, Ted Hornback returned to his alma mater this season as assistant coach. He would remain in that position until Diddle's retirement in 1964, when he would be promoted to Athletic Director.[1] The Hilltoppers won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships.[2] All five starters, John Hackett, Harry Saddler, Wilson Stemm, Herb Ball, and Carlisle Towery, were selected to the All-SIAA team. Hackett, Saddler, and Towery also made the All-KIAC team.[3]

1938–39 Western Kentucky State Teachers Hilltoppers basketball
SIAA Champions
KIAC Champions
ConferenceKentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record22–3 (7–0 KIAC)
Head coach
Assistant coachTed Hornback
Home arenaHealth & Physical Education Building
Seasons

Schedule

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[4]

Date
time, TV
Opponent Result Record Site
city, state
1939 Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament
2/23/1939
at Eastern Kentucky
KIAC First Round
W 50–26  16–3
Weaver Gymnasium 
Richmond, KY
2/24/1939
vs. Louisville
KIAC Quarterfinal
W 47–28  17–3
Weaver Gymnasium 
Richmond, KY
2/25/1939
vs. Transylvania
KIAC Semifinal
W 53–40  18–3
Weaver Gymnasium 
Richmond, KY
2/25/1939
vs. Morehead State
KIAC Final
W 37–33  19–3
Weaver Gymnasium 
Richmond, KY
1939 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament
3/3/1939
Presbyterian
SIAA Quarterfinal
W 51–27  20–3
Health & Phys Ed Building 
Bowling Green, KY
3/4/1939
Louisiana Normal
SIAA Semifinal
W 44–33  21–3
Health & Phys Ed Building 
Bowling Green, KY
3/4/1939
Jacksonville State
SIAA Final
W 56–43  22–3
Health & Phys Ed Building 
Bowling Green, KY
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.

References

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  1. ^ Ruby, Earl (1979). Red Towel Territory : A History of Athletics at Western Kentucky University. American National Bank and Trust Co.
  2. ^ Harrison, Lowell (1987). Western Kentucky University. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0813116204.
  3. ^ 2019-2020 WKU Basketball Media Guide retrieved 21 April 2020
  4. ^ Western Kentucky Men's Basketball Archive, retrieved 14 May 2020