The names may have changed, but the rivalry between Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech is still one of the most heated in womens college basketball. Its still a matter of bragging rights, Western coach Mary Taylor Cowles said. The fans, I think are still very much involved for both schools. It doesnt matter if we are in the same conference or not. The Lady Toppers and Louisiana Tech will renew the rivalry tonight at 7 p.m. in Diddle Arena. The game will be Cowles first regular season game as head coach, but she will not be the only new face pacing the sidelines. Longtime Tech coach Leon Barmore retired in August, leaving last seasons associate head coach, Kurt Budke, with the reins of one of the most successful programs in womens basketball. Budke brings the Lady Techsters to Bowling Green riding momentum from a season-opening 85-76 victory over then-No. 7 Texas Tech in the State Farm Tip-off Classic on Nov. 10. The win propelled Louisiana Tech to No. 10 in both the coaches poll and the AP poll. While the coaching staff may look different, Cowles said the Louisiana Tech game plan will be a familiar one. Their inside game is what theyve had for years and I dont expect coach Budke to change anything, Cowles said. Last weekend they had an exhibition game where I believe that out of 112 points, 79 came from the post. That right there tells you where they are going to try to dominate with their inside game. The strong play from the post begins with senior center Cheryl Ford, daughter of Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone. Ford had 24 points and 15 rebounds in the season opener. But Ford isnt the only weapon on the Lady Techsters roster. Juniors Amber Obaze and Trina Frierson, who scored 10 points and nine points respectively in last seasons 78-47 win over Western, also return. The experienced trio anchors a Lady Techster roster that features nine new players. Budke said how his young team handles the pressure of a tough road environment will be key to the game. The Texas Tech game did help us, but it wasnt in front of a home crowd. It was at a neutral site, Budke said. We havent won on the road in front of a hostile crowd yet. I know how vocal the Western Kentucky people are. Its a great place to play and a great atmosphere all the time. If Western wants to keep the crowd in the test, the Lady Toppers must improve on a 23 percent shooting effort in last years loss. While Western has had a chance to see them in action, Budke said the Lady Techsters are facing a bit of an unknown opponent. We have no film or tapes on this team and its a new coach, Budke said. The only thing I really know is that they are going to be motivated to play and they are going to be well-coached. I dont know any advantage we have, except maybe we have played one regular season game. And while the Lady Toppers enter the contest as heavy underdogs, Cowles said she is confident that the team is ready to snap an 11-game losing streak to Louisiana Tech that dates back to Jan. 25, 1998.They are a great basketball team and a great basketball program, Cowles said. I think our girls are very excited about the opportunity to go up against the No. 10 team in the country right here in Diddle. I dont think weve invented anything that is new to the game, but hopefully we will be able to put some things into the game plan that will definitely put us in a position where we can beat Louisiana Tech.