If you walk into E.A. Diddle Arena on a Tuesday night in Bowling Green, you aren't just watching a mid-major hoops game. You're stepping into a legacy that, frankly, most of the college basketball world has spent the last decade overlooking. Western Kentucky women's basketball is a program with more history than some Power 4 schools could dream of, yet here we are in 2026, and people still treat them like an underdog.
It’s weird.
The "Lady Toppers"—a name that carries a lot of weight around the Bluegrass State—have three Final Four appearances. Three. That’s more than most of the teams you see ranked in the AP Top 25 every week. But the current landscape is a bit of a grind. This 2025-26 season hasn't been a cakewalk. Currently, the team is sitting at a 5-10 overall record, struggling a bit to find that old-school rhythm. They’ve gone 1-3 in Conference USA play so far. It’s a transition period, and honestly, transitions are messy.
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The Greg Collins Era and the 3-Point Obsession
Greg Collins is in his eighth season as the head coach. Before that, he was the associate head coach under Michelle Clark-Heard. He's been on The Hill for 13 years total. That’s a lifetime in coaching.
Under Collins, the Lady Toppers have become synonymous with one thing: the long ball. If you look at the WKU record books, the top seven seasons for total 3-point field goals made all happened while Collins was on staff. We’re talking about players like Dee Givens and Alexis Mead who basically lived behind the arc.
But here is the catch.
While the offense has been flashy, the 2023-24 season actually saw them become a defensive powerhouse. They held opponents to about 63.5 points per game. It was a shift. It showed that Collins isn't just a "shoot-first" coach; he’s trying to find a way to make the Lady Toppers gritty again.
Why the 2025-26 Roster is Different
This year’s squad is an interesting mix. You’ve got a massive international presence—six players from overseas, which is actually a program record. It’s got a "veteran" feel because there are six seniors or fifth-year players, but the weird part? None of them have been at WKU for more than two seasons.
- Zsofia Telegdy: The lone returning starter. She’s the anchor right now, putting up about 9.7 points and 4.5 rebounds.
- Trinity Rowe: A name you need to know. She’s the 15th Miss Kentucky Basketball to wear the WKU jersey. That’s more than any other school in the country. She transferred in from Southern Miss and is already making waves.
- Salma Khedr: A 6'1" guard from Egypt who has been one of the leading scorers early on.
- Torri James: Shooting over 64% from the floor in the last stretch of games. Efficient.
The Mid-Major Struggle in the NIL Age
Let’s be real for a second.
College basketball isn't what it used to be. For a program like Western Kentucky women's basketball, the challenge isn't just about X’s and O’s anymore. It’s about keeping talent. When you see a player like Trinity Rowe—a homegrown Kentucky star—choose WKU, it’s a massive win. But the portal is always open.
WKU was picked fifth in the CUSA preseason poll this year. Some fans were annoyed. Others thought it was fair. The reality is that Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee (MTSU) are currently the giants of the conference. MTSU is sitting at 4-0 in the league right now, while WKU is trying to climb out of that 1-3 hole.
It’s tough.
What the Stats Don’t Tell You
If you just look at the 5-10 record, you’d think the program is in a tailspin. It’s not.
They lost a heartbreaker to Chattanooga (58-59) and had a rough outing against Jacksonville State. But then they turned around and beat North Dakota 80-50 on the road. This team is volatile. They have the talent to blow people out when the shots are falling, but they haven't found that "every-night" consistency yet.
The coaching staff added Lexxus Graham-Blincoe this season as an assistant. She’s a local legend's daughter and brings that Kentucky high school coaching DNA to the bench. It’s about building a culture that lasts longer than a one-year transfer window.
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Breaking Down the History (Simply)
If you're new to the Lady Toppers, here is the "spark notes" version of why this program matters:
- The Paul Sanderford Years: This was the golden era. 365 wins. Three Final Fours. He put Bowling Green on the map.
- The Michelle Clark-Heard Revival: She brought the program back to the NCAA tournament regularly (four times in six years).
- The 1,000 Win Club: WKU is one of the few programs in the nation to surpass 1,000 all-time victories.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think mid-major basketball is "lesser than."
Go watch a game at Diddle. The intensity is different. The pressure to succeed at WKU is high because the fans remember 1992. They remember being the national runner-up. When the Lady Toppers aren't winning 20 games a year, people notice.
The current struggle is mostly about chemistry. When you have six newcomers and a roster of "veteran transfers," it takes time to learn where someone wants the ball on a fast break. You can’t simulate that in practice.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts
If you want to actually follow this program instead of just checking the box scores, here is what you should do:
- Watch the Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: When Tia Shelling and Trinity Rowe are taking care of the ball, WKU wins. When they get sloppy, the game gets away from them.
- Monitor the 3-Point Percentage: WKU lives and dies by the arc. If they shoot under 30% from three, they almost always lose.
- Follow the Freshmen: Look at Lola Bond and Enni Ahervuo. The future of the program depends on whether these freshmen can develop into three-year starters rather than portal casualties.
- Check the Diddle Arena Schedule: They have a heavy home stretch coming up in late January and February. That is where the season will be saved or lost.
Western Kentucky women's basketball is in a dogfight this year. The road back to the top of Conference USA is paved with tough road trips to places like Sam Houston and LA Tech. But with the history behind them and a roster full of international talent, it’s a mistake to count them out before March.