The 1947–48 Western Kentucky State Teachers Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky State Teachers College (now known as Western Kentucky University) during the 1947-48 NCAA basketball season. The team was led by future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Edgar Diddle. The Hilltoppers won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, were NCAA Annual Team Champions,2011 NCAA Division I Basketball Records, retrieved 30 April 2020 and received an invitation to the 1948 National Invitation Tournament, where they advanced to the semifinals.2019-2020 WKU Basketball Media Guide retrieved 21 April 2020 During this period, the NIT was considered by many to be the premiere college basketball tournament, with the winner being recognized as the national champion.Davies, Richard O. (2007). "Sports in American Life: A History." Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated. p. 155. . This was one of the finest teams in Western Kentucky history, they had the best winning percentage in the NCAA,E. A. Diddle CBB Records, Sports Reference, retrieved May 13, 2020 all five starters were named to the All-KIAC Team (Odie Spears, John Oldham, Don “Duck” Ray, Dee Gibson, and Oran McKinney) and three players were listed on various All-American teams, Spears, Ray, and Gibson.
Schedule Western Kentucky Men's Basketball Archive, retrieved 14 May 2020
!colspan=6| Regular Season
!colspan=6| 1948 Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament
!colspan=6| 1948 National Invitation Tournament
References