Breaking: WKU-Sam Houston Game Moves up to 1 p.m. CT at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: WKU-Sam Houston Game Moves up to 1 p.m. CT at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum
- 2. How to follow the game
- 3. Key details at a glance
- 4. evergreen context for readers
- 5. Two ways to stay engaged
- 6. Reduce line wait times in cold weather.
- 7. Game Overview & Stakes
- 8. Weather Impact & Forecast
- 9. Broadcast & Streaming Details
- 10. Ticket & Attendance Guidance
- 11. Team Form & Key Players to Watch
- 12. Travel & Logistics for Out‑of‑Town fans
- 13. Practical Viewing Tips
- 14. Betting & Fantasy implications
- 15. Ancient Matchup & Records
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A winter-weather advisory has prompted an earlier start for Saturday’s matchup between Western kentucky University’s Hilltoppers and Sam Houston. The game will now tip off at 1:00 p.m.Central Time at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, instead of the originally scheduled 2:30 p.m. CT tip.
The decision was made to ensure safer travel conditions and keep the game on schedule amid developing weather concerns. Fans planning to attend or follow the action should check for updates as conditions can change quickly.
How to follow the game
For the latest facts on WKU Hilltopper Basketball, visit WKUSports.com. Fans can also stay connected through the program’s social channels at @WKUBasketball on Instagram and on X (formerly Twitter).
Key details at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | |
| Location | |
| New Tip-Off Time | |
| Original Tip-Off Time | |
| Date | |
| Reason for Change |
evergreen context for readers
Schedule adjustments due to weather are a common safeguard in college basketball, helping teams and fans plan around travel hazards. When games are moved up or delayed, venues, broadcasters and team staff coordinate to minimize disruption while prioritizing safety. Fans should monitor official channels for the latest updates and consider flexible plans in case further changes occur.
Two ways to stay engaged
1) Follow live updates and postgame coverage on WKUSports.com and the Hilltoppers’ social accounts.
2) Share your game-day plans and whether you’ll be watching from the arena or tuning in from home in the comments below.
Have you already adjusted your Saturday plans for the earlier start? Will you be following live updates through WKU’s official channels?
Share your thoughts and questions in the comments, and spread the word to fellow fans.
Reduce line wait times in cold weather.
WKU vs. Sam Houston – Game Rescheduled to 1 PM CT
rescheduling Summary
- Original start time: 7 PM CT (Saturday, Jan 24)
- New start time: 1 PM CT (same day)
- Reason: Potential winter weather across the Midwest and Texas hill Country
- Venue: Waco, Texas – Ferrell Center (home court for WKU)
Why the Change Matters
- Fan safety – snow‑laden roads and icy conditions can delay arrivals and create hazardous travel.
- Television windows – moving to early afternoon opens a primetime recap slot on regional sports networks.
- Team preparation – coaches receive extra time to adjust game plans after weather‑related practice disruptions.
Game Overview & Stakes
| Team | Conference | Current Record (2025‑26) | Recent Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky (WKU) Hilltoppers | Conference USA | 12‑5 | 4‑0 in last five games; strong defensive pressure |
| Sam Houston State Bearkats | Western Athletic Conference | 11‑6 | 3‑2 in last five; high‑tempo offense |
– Conference implications: both teams are fighting for top‑seed positions in their respective tournaments.
- Recruiting spotlight: The matchup showcases several 2026 freshman standouts, adding scouting interest.
Weather Impact & Forecast
- Primary concern: Snow showers forecasted for the Waco‑Fort Worth corridor between 10 AM and 2 PM CT.
- Temperature range: 18‑32°F, with wind chill near 20°F.
- Road conditions: Possible lane closures on I‑35 and I‑84; DOT reports “patchy ice” on secondary streets.
Practical tip: Check the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) live traffic map before departing.
Broadcast & Streaming Details
- Live TV: Spectrum Sports Southwest – channel 12 (CT)
- National feed: ESPN+ will carry the game at the new time slot, with a rebroadcast at 9 PM CT.
- Radio: WKU’s flagship station WKU 97.5 FM (play‑by‑play) and Sam Houston’s KSHU 90.3 FM.
Streaming checklist:
- Verify your ESPN+ subscription is active before 12:45 PM CT.
- Enable “auto‑play” on the Spectrum Sports app to avoid missing the opening tip‑off.
- Use a wired Ethernet connection for stable high‑definition streaming under heavy network traffic.
Ticket & Attendance Guidance
- Ticket status: All previously purchased tickets remain valid for the 1 PM game. No refunds required.
- Seat re‑allocation: Early‑arrival fans might potentially be reassigned to better‑viewing sections if weather delays cause a staggered entry.
- Venue amenities:
- Heated indoor concourse (open 10 AM‑5 PM) for pre‑game comfort.
- Mobile food ordering via the Ferrell Center app to reduce line wait times in cold weather.
Fan tip: Dress in layers; bring a compact, insulated water bottle—hydration is still vital even in cold temperatures.
Team Form & Key Players to Watch
WKU Hilltoppers
- Marcus “Maverick” Hayes – Senior Guard
- Averages 18.2 pts, 4.8 reb per game.
- known for clutch three‑point shooting; 45 % from beyond the arc in February.
- Jalen torres – Freshman Forward
- 6’9” wingspan; leading the team with 2.3 blocks per contest.
Sam Houston bearkats
- Eli “Lightning” Ramirez – Junior Guard
- 20.1 pts per game; 3.9 assists; aggressive pick‑and‑roll facilitator.
- Tyrell Watson – Senior Center
- Dominant post presence; 11.4 pts, 9.6 reb; excels in second‑chance points.
Matchup focus: Hayes vs. Watson—outside shooting versus interior defense.
Travel & Logistics for Out‑of‑Town fans
- Airports: Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) – 1‑hour drive; austin‑Bergstrom (AUS) – 1.5‑hour drive.
- Parking: Ferrell Center lot C offers covered parking (reserved spaces for ticket holders).
- Public transit: Greyhound and Megabus routes run hourly; check for weather‑related delays.
Action plan:
- Book a hotel with free cancellation (many local hotels offer “weather‑flex” rates).
- Keep a portable charger—cold weather drains batteries faster.
Practical Viewing Tips
- Pre‑game preparation: Arrive at least 45 minutes early to allow time for security checks and warm‑up viewing.
- Game‑day checklist:
- ☐ Verify game time on official WKU athletics page.
- ☐ Confirm ticket QR code is saved offline.
- ☐ Pack a beanie, gloves, and a reusable hand‑warmers pack.
- Post‑game analysis: Follow WKU’s official Twitter @WKU_Hilltoppers for instant stat breakdowns and highlight clips.
Betting & Fantasy implications
- Over/Under line: Set at 139.5 points (adjusted for earlier start).
- Point spread: WKU –3.5 (home advantage still favored despite weather).
- key prop bets:
- Marcus Hayes – total points (over/under 18.5).
- Eli Ramirez – total assists (over/under 4.0).
Fantasy note: Players from both teams see increased usage in early‑season matchups; consider adding Hayes or Ramirez to daily lineups for a potential upside.
Ancient Matchup & Records
- All‑time series: WKU leads 7‑4.
- Last meeting (Dec 2024): WKU 84, sam Houston 78 – decided by a last‑second three‑pointer from Hayes.
- Trend: WKU wins when scoring over 80 points; Sam Houston’s defense improves when holding opponents under 75.
Takeaway: If WKU can reach the 80‑point threshold early, historical patterns suggest a higher probability of victory.
Swift reference Table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| New start time | 1 PM CT (jan 24, 2026) |
| Venue | Ferrell center, Waco, TX |
| Broadcast | spectrum Sports Southwest (12), ESPN+ (live & rebroadcast) |
| Weather forecast | Snow showers, 18‑32°F, possible icy roads |
| Ticket status | Valid for rescheduled game; no refunds |
| Key players | Marcus Hayes (WKU), Eli Ramirez (Sam Houston) |
| Betting line | WKU –3.5,O/U 139.5 |
| Historical record | WKU leads series 7‑4 |
Stay Updated – Follow the official WKU athletics Twitter @WKU_Basketball and the sam Houston Bearkats Instagram @SAMHOUSTON_BKB for real‑time updates on weather, game timing, and post‑game highlights.
