2011-2012W

estern Kentucky University

Men’s Basketball Season Preview

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#5 Derrick Gordon6’3” GuardPlainfield, N.J.St. Patrick HS

#44 George Fant6’5” ForwardBowling Green, Ky.Warren Central HS

#1 Kevin Kaspar6’0” GuardIstanbul, TurkeyFindlay Prep

Recruiting WKU brings in a highly-touted recruiting class that has been recognized by many national recruiting organizations. According to Rivals.com star ratings system (1-5), three of the Hilltopper’s incoming class are rated as three-star recruits. Those three are George Fant, Nigel Snipes and Vinny Zollo. Derrick Gordon was rated a four-star and ranked 105th on the Rivals.com Top 150. WKUisoneoffiveSunBeltConferenceschoolsto have signed a three-star recruit and the only school to reel in a four-star recruit. ESPN.com’s senior basketball recruiting analyst Dave Telep described the Hilltopper’s class as being

Head Coach Ken McDonald’s Thoughts On...

- Derrick Gordon “He has been rock-solid from day one and is a Hilltopper at heart. He’s a tough kid, a great kid who is serious about the game of basketball and serious about being a student. I think he’s going to be a favorite of Hilltopper nation.”

- George Fant “George is a talented, mis-match kind of guy who is a great kid. We’ve known him since the day we took the job. We love him and his family, and I think he has a ton of potential to really do whatever he wants on the Hill. He could have a great career here, and I know he’s excited that his family has the chance to see him play here.”

- Kevin Kaspar “We are very excited to add Kevin to our class for next season. He brings quite a bit to the table, and he has a wealth of international playing experience. He has great character, and he’s excited to be a Hilltopper.”

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Derrick Gordon takes a pre-game layup

#21 Nigel Snipes6’5” ForwardMarietta, Ga.Wheeler HS

#52 T.J. Price6’3” GuardSlidell, La.

Salmen HS

#41 Vinny Zollo6’8” Forward

Winchester, Ky.George Rogers Clark HS

- Nigel Snipes “Nigel came into the picture late and has a great skill-level. He is a very good athlete who can really stroke the ball. He has a good handle as well and can make plays off the dribble. He is a great kid who reminds me a little personality-wise of [former Hilltopper standout] Jeremy Evans. I think the fans are really going to like him.”

- T.J. Price “T.J.hasastrong,college-readybodyandwillfitinwellwithourteam. He is an excellent shooter and has plenty of range. He is another quality individual to add to our program, and he has a great work ethic that will make him a favorite of Hilltopper nation.”

- Vinny Zollo “Vinny can shoot the ball from deep, and he has a great body and a lot of tools. He’s another great kid and a serious student, and he comes from a great family. He’s a Kentucky kid, who I think is going to do really well in his time on the Hill.”

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Class“on the cusp” of ranking in the nation’s top 25 class-es. “This is the kind of class with talent and depth that is a foundation for multiple title runs in the Sun BeltandfutureNCAAruns,”hesaid.“Theyhavediversity, size, talent and swagger. Love this group.” It’s analysis’ like this that show why fan’s excitement on the Hill is growing ever stronger and it lookslikeitmaybejustified. As the Hilltoppers prepare for the upcoming season they will look to the youth and their potential to step up in big ways. These six players will help determine a lot about the results for WKU this year.

Vinny Zollo and Nigel Snipes talk in-game strategy

Tops look for youth to bring success this season

Comingintothe2011-2012 season WKU has a lot to work on to make up for their losses from a season ago. The Hilltoppers saw All-SunBeltConferenceFirstTeamplayers Sergio Kerusch and Steffphon Pettigrew graduate and lost a total of 66 percent of their scoring from last year. Many would think a team thatfinished16-16overall(8-8in conference) with that much loss would be destined for a rough year. However, an impressive recruiting class has changed the demeanor for the coach as well as the Hilltopper’s fanbase. HeadCoachKenMc-Donaldfindsmanythingsexcit-ing about the incoming fresh-men. However, most of his excitement comes from truly believing they can make an im-mediate impact on the Hill. It may not be pretty at firstanditmostdefinitelywilltake some time for this group to form into a force to be reckoned with, but the newcomers bring many fresh faces to the squad that many WKU fans will gladly welcome. Last year was quite dis-mal for many fans to sit through — player suspensions, player dismissals and controversy at the end of the season on wheth-er or not McDonald should be retained.

Derrick Gordon hits a freethrow in WKU’s 73-61 win over Xavier (La.).

However, that season is over and the Hilltopper fans have those fresh faces to look toward in hopes of a season that, at the end of the year, looks much different than the last. The addition of the highly-touted recruiting class to upperclassmen such as junior guardsJamalCrookandCa-den Dickerson — who weren’t involved with any controversies — is what this season’s success is largely riding on. The group shows plenty of potential and should be a top contenderforSunBeltCham-

pionships for years to come. These players might even develop enough chemistry to make a run at it this year. However, fans should know that it may take a while for all the pieces of this team to come completely together. This team should be enjoyable to watch grow up this year and beyond. They will have their up’s and down’s. Butifthisclassreachestheir potential, WKU could be a SunBeltpowerhouseinjustafew short years.

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