Saturday's loss to Middle Tennessee left a sour taste in Western Kentucky's mouth, but there was still optimism.
Junior guard Fredrick Edmond, who missed a game-tying layup in the final seconds, had a difficult time expressing that optimism in the postgame news conference.
He was too stunned from rallying from a 19-point deficit and then failing to get the win - a win he was certain the Hilltoppers would claim in the final minutes.
But Edmond's teammate, freshman guard Chris McNeal, maintained plenty of confidence after the 66-64 loss.
"I can tell with the last game and the second half of this game, I feel like we're the best team in the conference," McNeal said.