Western Kentucky's Justin Johnson got to experience the program's first season in Conference USA as a freshman last year.
There was one thing in particular that stood out to the forward about the league.
"It was up for grabs," Johnson said. "There were about six or seven teams that could win it and get upset at any moment. I think it's the same way this year. There's a bunch of good teams in this conference that have some early wins that are big, but everybody's coming in 0-0."
After an up and down nonconference schedule – filled with everything from gritty wins to sound defeats – the Hilltoppers (8-5) take a clean slate into C-USA play, starting at Marshall (4-9) at noon CST Sunday in Huntington, W.