WKU Football & Men's Basketball Achieved Something Unique This Year

With the NCAA men's basketball tournament beginning this week, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are making their first appearance in the event since 2013. It's been a strong year for WKU's athletic department so far, especially factoring in what the football program accomplished just a few months ago.

In December, Tyson Helton's squad defeated Old Dominion in Charlotte's Famous Toastery Bowl in a 38-35 victory. Those two achievements put WKU in elite company this academic year.

WKU were one of just nine FBS departments to win a bowl game and claim a spot in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. They were the only department in the G5 to achieve that feat.

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It's also the first time that WKU has achieved this feat. WKU's first FBS football season was in 2007. Their first FBS bowl win didn't come until 2014. Prior to this season, men's basketball did not make the tournament since 2013.

"You are known by the company you keep," WKU Athletic Director Todd Stewart posted to X on Monday. "Congratulations to @WKUFootball and @WKUBasketball on this unique combination of success!"

WKU basketball will face Marquette on Friday at 2 PM ET in the first round of the tournament. WKU football's spring game is set for April 20.