Western Kentucky left its exhibition game last week with plenty of confidence.
But reality has settled in that results may be different once the competition heats up, and familiarity won’t give the Lady Toppers any comfort in their season opener.
The trial by fire in a gauntlet of a nonconference slate for the Lady Toppers starts with No. 5 Louisville on Tuesday night at E.A. Diddle Arena (7 p.m., ESPN+, WKU PBS).
WKU’s unknowns that come with an inexperienced roster and a new coaching staff will be revealed quickly against the Louisville team coming off a Final Four appearance and four starters returning including preseason AP All-American Asia Durr.