Diddle Arena is just different. If you’ve ever sat in those red seats when the towel starts waving, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s not just about a game; it’s about a program with more history than almost anyone else in the region.
But honestly, keeping up with the WKU Lady Toppers basketball schedule can feel like a full-time job lately. Between conference realignments and those random mid-week road trips to places like Ruston or Huntsville, things get messy fast.
We’re deep into the 2025-26 grind now. As of mid-January, Greg Collins has this team fighting through a brutal Conference USA stretch. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, to be blunt. The Lady Toppers are currently sitting at 5-10 overall, which isn't where anyone wanted to be, but conference play is where the real stories are written.
The 2025-26 WKU Lady Toppers Basketball Schedule Breakdown
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the games coming up because that’s why you’re here.
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Right now, the team is in the middle of a heavy travel month. They just came off a split at home where they dropped a heartbreaker to New Mexico State (70-67) but bounced back to beat UTEP 68-59. That UTEP win was massive for morale. It proved they can close out games when the pressure is on.
Remaining January Games
January is basically a tour of the South.
- Jan 15: At Sam Houston. This is a tough one. The Bearkats are 10-4 and undefeated in the league. WKU needs to find a way to slow down their pace.
- Jan 17: At Louisiana Tech. Ruston is never an easy place to play, even if La Tech isn't the juggernaut they were in the 90s.
- Jan 22: Back home vs. Liberty. This is a 6:30 PM tip. If you’re in Bowling Green, show up. The Lady Toppers need that Diddle magic against the reigning champs.
- Jan 24: Vs. Delaware. The Blue Hens are new to the conference, so there's not a lot of shared history here, which makes it unpredictable.
- Jan 31: At Middle Tennessee. The 100-Mile Stride. This is the one everyone circles. Period.
February: The Home Stretch
February feels a little more manageable because of the home-cooked meals, but the intensity doesn't drop.
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- Feb 5: At FIU. A quick trip to Miami.
- Feb 7: At Missouri State. Another new face in CUSA.
- Feb 12: Home vs. Kennesaw State. This is an early 11:00 AM tip for Education Day. Expect a lot of screaming school kids.
- Feb 14: Home vs. Jacksonville State. Valentine’s Day at Diddle.
- Feb 21: Home vs. Middle Tennessee. The rematch.
- Feb 26: At Delaware.
- Feb 28: At Liberty.
Why This Season’s Schedule Is Such a Grind
Conference USA looks a lot different than it did even three years ago. With teams like Missouri State and Delaware joining the mix, the travel logistics are a nightmare. You’re going from the mountains of Virginia to the humidity of Miami and then out to the plains of Texas.
Coach Greg Collins has mentioned in media availabilities that the non-conference slate—which included games against Vanderbilt and Illinois—was designed specifically to toughen up this young roster. They took some lumps. A 49-87 loss to Vandy hurts, sure. But playing that kind of length and speed is the only way to prepare for the CUSA tournament in March.
The biggest issue right now? Rebounding. In that loss to New Mexico State, the Lady Toppers were outrebounded by 26. You just can’t win like that. It doesn’t matter how well you shoot if you only get one look at the basket every possession.
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Catching the Games: TV and Radio
If you aren't making the drive to Diddle, basically everything is on ESPN+ these days. It's the blessing and curse of modern mid-major sports. You can watch from your couch, but you miss out on the popcorn and the atmosphere. For those who still love the radio, the Hilltopper Sports Network usually has you covered with the legendary Reace Hicks on the call.
What to Watch For
Keep an eye on the guard play. When WKU is hitting their transition layups and forcing turnovers, they look like a top-three team in the league. When the game slows down into a half-court grind, they struggle.
The Middle Tennessee games are the season-definers. They always are. MTSU is currently 4-0 in the conference and looks like the team to beat. If WKU can steal one of those two matchups, the entire outlook of the 2025-26 season shifts.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Sync Your Calendar: Go to the official WKU Sports website and use the "Add to Calendar" feature for the WKU Lady Toppers basketball schedule. It updates automatically if tip-off times change for TV.
- Check the Theme Nights: If you’re taking kids, the Kennesaw State game on Feb 12 is the big one for local schools.
- Watch the Standings: Don't just look at the WKU score. Keep an eye on Sam Houston and Liberty. Their wins and losses directly impact WKU's seeding for the tournament in Huntsville this March.
- Ticket Deals: Often, the mid-week CUSA games have "buy one get one" or local business sponsored nights. Check the WKU Ticket Office Twitter (X) account on Monday mornings before home games.
The road to the NCAA Tournament is narrow, but in this league, anyone can get hot for three days in March. That's the beauty of it. Let's see if the Lady Toppers have one of those runs in them.