Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Syndication Server

Former LSU QB TJ Finley named starter at Western Kentucky

Former LSU QB TJ Finley was named the starter at Western Kentucky.

Former LSU QB [autotag]TJ Finley[/autotag] was named the starter at Western Kentucky ahead of the Hilltoppers Week 1 match with Alabama.

For Finley, WKU is career stop No. 4. After beginning his career at LSU, he spent two seasons at Auburn. He found success with Texas State in 2023, but the Bobcats opted for JMU transfer Jordan Mcleod. That left Finley looking for a new home.

WKU has been kind to transfer QBs in recent years. Most notably, Bailey Zappe put up historic numbers in 2021.

Week one will be Finley’s third career game against Alabama. Finley previously saw the Tide in his time with LSU and Auburn.

A former three-star recruit from Louisiana, Finley looked like LSU’s future for a brief moment in 2020, but LSU’s QB room got crowded.

Finley’s 2023 was a career year. He threw for 3,439 yards and 24 touchdowns while posting a 152.4 passer rating. All three marks were career highs.

Entering his fifth year of college football, Finley will look to finish on a high note. Liberty is the favorite in Conference USA, but WKU poses the biggest threat to the Flames.

If things go right, Finley has the talent to lead WKU to a conference title and continue the trend of offensive success under Ty Helton.

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Former LSU wide receiver joins Western Kentucky

Former LSU wide receiver Koy Moore found a new home earlier this week.

A former LSU wide receiver found a new home earlier this week.

[autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] transferred to Western Kentucky, making it his third stop after he began his career at LSU before hitting the portal and landing at Auburn.

Moore played at LSU from 2020-21. LSU’s depth was tested during the COVID year and Moore was forced into action as a true freshman. He caught 22 passes for 177 yards in 2020, but was less of a factor in 2021, catching five passes for 71 yards.

Moore was one of a handful of Tigers to transfer amidst the coaching transition.

In 2022, Moore got a real opportunity at Auburn and caught 20 passes for 314 yards and a score. Against LSU, he ended up throwing an interception to [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag] on a trick play.

Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin was fired, but Moore stuck around in 2023 and caught three passes for 24 yards.

At Western Kentucky, Moore will be reunited with former LSU and Auburn QB [autotag]TJ Finley[/autotag]. Moore’s time overlapped with Finley’s at both previous stops.

Western Kentucky has had some high-flying offenses in recent years and Moore will hope to help continue that trend.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

March Madness first-round, can’t-miss parlay: Bank on this Friday 3-teamer

Beat the Sportsbook: Bank on this 3-team parlay for Friday’s first round of the NCAA Tournament.

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The NCAA Tournament is underway with exciting action on Thursday. We have 16 more games on Friday, as the field will be pared down 32 teams heading into the 2nd round. We’ll sift through Friday’s games to find a handful of solid parlay opportunities to get into the black.

After looking at BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament odds and lines, here is Friday’s can’t-miss, 1st-round parlay among our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Last season, the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament had a lot of 1st-round upsets. We’ll try to avoid those pitfalls, so we can build bankroll heading into the 2nd round and beyond.

Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Can you survive? USA TODAY Sports’ Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament Survivor Pools are here with a $2,500 prize for each contest! Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!

NCAA Tournament first-round parlay

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 4:08 p.m. ET. All game times ET; ML = moneyline.

Leg 1: WESTERN KENTUCKY +14.5 (-110) vs. Marquette – 2 p.m.

The Hilltoppers actually stumbled down the stretch of the regular season, losing the final 4 games, while going 1-3 against the spread (ATS). However, the ‘Toppers picked up the pace in the Conference USA Tournament, winning and covering 3 straight games. WKU comes in with a lot of confidence.

This Western Kentucky team can be dangerous offensively, too, going for 78 or more points in 6 straight outings. Defense is the team’s Achilles’ heel.

For Marquette, the biggest question for the Golden Eagles isn’t whether they’ll advance. The 2nd-seed should be able to ease by WKU. However, G Tyler Kolek enters with an oblique injury, while F Oso Ighodaro is battling a knee. Kolek is expected to play, while Ighodaro carries a questionable tag, making him a 50-50 proposition.

Kolek rolled up 15.0 PPG, 7.6 APG and 4.7 RPG while hitting 40.0% from behind the 3-point line during the regular season. He also led the team with an 88.0% mark at the free-throw line, so he absolutely needs to play, and play without any restrictions.

Ighodaro was right behind Kolek with 14.4 PPG, while leading the team with 7.2 RPG and a sparkling 60.8% field-goal percentage.

There are just too many injury questions for Marquette. This team should still have enough, even if Kolek and/or Ighodaro are on a minutes restriction. However, the spread is awfully high.

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Leg 2: Texas A&M vs. Nebraska OVER 147.5 (-105) – 6:50 p.m.

Normally we like to play sides in these parlay pieces, but it’s impossible not to love the Over in Texas A&M-Nebraska.

The Aggies roll into the Big Dance with 5 straight Over results, including all 3 games in the SEC Tournament against Ole Miss, Kentucky and Florida. The total has also gone high in 11 of the past 13 games for the Aggies since Feb. 7, including 6-1 in 7 games against NCAA Tournament teams.

For “Nebrasketball”, they’ve been rolling up big-time offensive totals all season long. Big Red cashed the Over in both appearances in the Big Ten Tournament, averaging 90.0 PPG, while allowing 82.0 PPG, which is an easy pair of Overs.

The Cornhuskers have seen the total go high in 17 of the past 22 games since Dec. 20. Surprisingly, Nebraska allowed teams to hit just 39.6% from the field, which was top-10 in the nation during the regular season. But as the season went on, the offensive production started to creep up, and the defense wasn’t as suffocating.

The Over is 8-0 in the past 8 games for Nebraska against teams in the NCAA Tournament field dating back to an Under against Creighton on Dec. 3, while going 9-1 in 10 games this season against NCAA Tournament participants.

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Leg 3: ALABAMA -9.5 (-110) vs. Charleston – 7:35 p.m.

A lot of casual fans like to pick upsets. You get those bracket nerds who haven’t watched a game all season, but they donate $5 at the office and pretend to know things. Anyway…

Charleston is a team people know from the past, and many are picking the Cougars for an upset. It ain’t happening.

The Cougars went 0-3 SU/ATS in 3 games against teams in the NCAA Tournament, losing games to Duquesne, FAU and Vermont by at least 9 points, and an average of margin of defeat of 14.3 PPG.

Alabama is battle tested, having been through the gauntlet of SEC play, and this team can get out and run with the best of them. Alabama scored 87 or more points in 8 of the past 9 games, and Charleston just doesn’t have the horses to keep up with that pace. In fact, Bama led the nation with 90.8 PPG. Charleston allowed 73.3 PPG this season, while teams hit 44.4% from the field.

The scoreboard operator at Spokane Arena better limber up, because he/she is going to be busy. Alabama could, potentially, hit triple digits, and it should be able to record the double-digit victory.

Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $61.11 (payout = $71.11).

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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March Madness: Best NCAA Tournament first-round upset picks and predictions

Beat the Sportsbook: Here’s 4 best underdog picks and predictions for the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

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The best part about the NCAA Tournament is upsets, unless, of course, you’re betting the favorites. We’ll take a look at several underdogs who are a good bet to play straight up.

Below, we break down BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament odds and lines and list the best 1st-round upset bets to cash in on among SportbookWire’s expert college basketball picks and predictions.

It’s always interesting when a lower seed is favored. That’s not what we mean by upsets. We’ll pick several teams who are underdogs by more than a few points, who are good plays to cover a big number or just win straight up.

Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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NCAA Tournament first-round upset picks

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 9:41 p.m. ET. All game times ET; ML = moneyline.

NC STATE ML (+190) vs. Texas Tech – Thursday, 9:40 p.m.

The Wolfpack are the only team to win 5 games in 5 days to claim the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship. It’s an impressive feat, but the Wolfpack isn’t likely done.

NC State enters the NCAA Tournament with a lot of confidence after that amazing run, and it is actually the longest winning streak for the Wolfpack this season. And it’s the 1st time NC State has won more than 2 games in a row against Power 6 teams.

Texas Tech has sunk like a stone since the end of January. The Red Raiders lost at TCU on Jan. 30, and they’re actually 6-7 straight up (SU) in the past 13 games. While only 1 of those losses came against a non-NCAA Tournament team, it’s a rather frequent occurrence.

The Red Raiders are just 6-9 in Quad 1 games, while the Wolfpack was just 3-8 in Q1 contests.

If you’re a little more on the conservative side, NC STATE +5.5 (-115) still isn’t a bad play, if you can’t go all the way on the moneyline.

SAINT PETER’S +21.5 (-110) vs. Tennessee – Thursday, 9:20 p.m.

The Peacocks made a miraculous run to the Elite Eight in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. That team, led by the mustachioed Doug Edert, coach Shaheen Holloway, etc. broke up prior to the 2023 season. Edert transferred to Bryant, Holloway took the Seton Hall job, taking KC Ndefo with him, and Daryl Banks III went to St. Bonaventure.

In other words, those casual fans who see Saint Peter’s, they should know this is a completely different group.

The Volunteers are a No. 2 seed, and they’re fully expected to advance. However, this is an awfully big number for a team coming off 2 consecutive losses. The Vols lost a marquee battle to Kentucky in the regular-season finale on March 9 at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, 85-81 as an 8.5-point favorite, and then it was throttled 73-56 by Mississippi State in its 1st game in the SEC Tournament.

Tennessee has sharp-shooter Dalton Knecht, who was just 4-of-17 from the field for 14 points in the loss to Hail State. He’ll be looking to dent a Peacocks defense which ranked just 161st in the country, according to covers.com, in 3-pointer defense.

Saint Peter’s allowed teams to shoot 33.3% from behind the arc, and the Peacocks really had a difficult time scoring, going for just 65.9 PPG, one of the lowest totals in the country, while hitting just 39.7% from the field. Still, this is an awfully big number.

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WESTERN KENTUCKY +14.5 (-110) vs. Marquette – Friday, 2 p.m.

The Hilltoppers caught fire in the Conference USA Tournament, roughing up New Mexico State by 20, and belting Middle Tennessee by 31, before easing by UTEP 78-71 in the championship game. Western Kentucky covered all 3 games in the C-USA tourney, it has covered 4 in a row, and the ‘Toppers are 9-3 ATS across the past 12 outings.

The Golden Eagles are a No. 2 seed, but they’re a team which is playing .500 ball across the past 6 games, going 3-3 SU and ATS. Of course, the losses are against Creighton, a No. 3 seed in this tournament, and twice to top overall seed UConn.

The big concern with Marquette is the health of F Oso Ighodaro, who carries a questionable tag due to a knee injury, as well as G Tyler Kolek. The latter suffered an oblique injury Feb. 28 against Providence, and he has been sidelined for the past 6 games. He is listed as probable, so he is expected to face Western Kentucky, but will there be some rust? It’s likely.

As far as Ighodaro is concerned, he banged up his left knee, and missed the final 7 games of the Big East title game loss. And G Stevie Mitchell is also nursing a tender left shoulder injury, so Marquette enters this game banged up. That’s good news for Western Kentucky, and its backers.

JAMES MADISON +5.5 (-110) vs. Wisconsin – Friday, 9:40 p.m.

The Dukes got their season off to a great start with an upset over another Big Ten team, Michigan State. James Madison won 79-76 in overtime in East Lansing on Nov. 6, and it was the first of 28 victories against just 3 losses.

Wisconsin tasted defeat 13 times, and it was really in danger of missing this NCAA Tournament all together before stringing together 3 straight wins in the Big Ten Tournament, including a victory over No. 1 seed Purdue, to get its resume in order. The Badgers went all the way to the title game, falling to Illinois 93-87 on Sunday in a thriller.

This is a tough draw for Wisconsin, though. JMU averages 84.6 PPG, and it shoots at a blistering 47.6% from the field. If there is an Achilles’ heel, it’s free-throw shooting, as the Dukes are a dismal 71.1% from the stripe, leaving some points on the floor. And defensively, James Madison allows teams to hit just 28.8% from behind the arc, and that was 5th in the nation defensively.

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Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X, Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

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9 takeaways from National team Senior Bowl practice day 3

Nine takeaways from Vikings Wire’s Tyler Forness on the National Team’s third and final practice at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl

Day three of the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl is here, signifying the final practice before the two teams face off on Saturday.

Senior Bowl week is one of the first premier stops on the road to the NFL draft, and this year’s version has not disappointed. We have seen everything from the usual suspects securing their spots in round one to the virtually unknown prospects becoming household names.

Tyler Forness, Managing Editor for Vikings Wire, has had his finger on the pulse in Mobile from the first snaps of practice. He gives us his nine takeaways from the National team’s final chance to compete before the game and what it could mean for the prospects as their pre-draft process begins.

12 takeaways from National team Senior Bowl practice day 2

From Bo Nix to Devontez Walker, here are 12 takeaways from the second day of practice for the first National Team at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl

We are back in Mobile for another day of action at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. After a hard-hitting day one of action for the National team, they are back for another round of competitive one-on-ones and team drills to gear them up for the Senior Bowl game this Saturday at noon CST (NFL Network).

Managing Editor Tyler Forness has boots on the ground in Mobile, giving us insights on both teams as the 100+ NFL draft prospects duke it out to gain draft positioning.

Here are 12 takeaways that he took from day two of the National Team’s Senior Bowl practice.

Former LSU QB TJ Finley commits to fourth school

TJ Finley had a big season in the Sun Belt with Texas State in 2023.

Former LSU quarterback [autotag]TJ Finley[/autotag] is spinning the transfer wheel once again.

After a prolific season at Texas State, the veteran passer entered the transfer portal for the third time this offseason. On Monday, he announced his commitment to Western Kentucky.

A native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Finley started five games due to injury as a true freshman in 2020. He entered the transfer portal following that season and landed at Auburn, where he would be an occasional starter over the next two seasons.

He had something of a career resurgence with the Bobcats this season, starting all 13 games while totaling more than 3,500 yards and 29 touchdowns with just eight interceptions.

Excited for this next chapter. Everything I do is for my twins future… I’ve got you boys ❤️❤️ #TopsOnTop #WIT pic.twitter.com/LyVy7sMgOh

— TJ Finley 1️⃣ (@tj_finley1) January 22, 2024

Now, he joins a Western Kentucky program that has had quite a bit of success with transfer quarterbacks. Houston Christian transfer Bailey Zappe set FBS records for passing yards and touchdowns in 2021, while West Florida transfer Austin Reed also saw a lot of success over the previous two seasons.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Vikings 2024 NFL draft scouting report: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley

With a playstyle like Deebo Samuel, Malachi Corley is a talented prospect. How high can he go in the draft?

Welcome to SKOL Search!

This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.

The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.

The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.

Western Kentucky celebrated Famous Toastery Bowl comeback with iconic ‘toast angels’

When you pull off a 28-point comeback, you have to have the celebration to match.

When you pull off the fourth-largest comeback in bowl history, you have to find the perfect celebration to match it.

Western Kentucky trailed Old Dominion 28-0 in the second quarter of the Famous Toastery Bowl in Charlotte on Monday, but a 28-7 run sent the game to overtime, where the Hilltoppers ultimately won on a walk-off field goal.

With plenty of toast on hand thanks to the game’s sponsor, the players had a creative way to celebrate the unlikely, come-from-behind victory. While some threw bread in the air like graduation caps, others engaged in the new art of making toast angels.

That’s right — toast angels.

We have a toast angel @SickosCommittee pic.twitter.com/pz6f6RC3Lq

— Micah Beutell (@MBeutell25) December 18, 2023

The Hilltoppers finished the season 8-5 with the comeback win, which was completed without star quarterback Austin Reed, who opted out of the game. Third-stringer Caden Veltkamp ultimately had to take the reigns, and his 383-yard, five-touchdown performance was enough to pull off one of the wildest wins we’re likely to see in bowl season.

Western Kentucky completes storybook comeback in overtime to win Famous Toastery Bowl

The Monarchs led by 21 points at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Hilltoppers came all the way back for the miracle victory.

Western Kentucky defeated Old Dominion 38-35 in overtime to win the Famous Toastery Bowl in one of the biggest bowl comebacks of recent history.

The Monarchs dominated the first twenty minutes of the game. Old Dominion scored its fourth touchdown just two minutes into the second quarter, an 11-yard run from quarterback Grant Wilson that made the lead 28-0 well before halftime.

For much of the game, it seemed the Hilltoppers couldn’t get out of their own way. Western Kentucky turned the ball over five times, including a pick-six early in the first quarter. The team battled back slightly, scoring back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to seven points, but wide receiver Craig Burt Jr. coughed up the team’s third fumble with five minutes left to seemingly seal their fate.

The special teams unit contributed to the comeback effort, however. The Hilltoppers forced a 47-yard field goal attempt and blocked it to keep the deficit at one score. The offense took nine plays to drive 64 yards after the blocked kick, but the Old Dominion defense forced them into a fourth and goal from the 15-yard line.

With his back against the wall, Western Kentucky quarterback Caden Veltkamp found K.D. Hutchinson at the buzzer for his fifth touchdown pass of the game to force overtime.

After a missed field goal by Old Dominion in overtime, Western Kentucky walked the game off with a 29-yard field goal attempt to cement the comeback.

Here are the best images from Western Kentucky’s miraculous victory.