Alex Slitz/Daily News Western Kentucky forward George Fant (left) shoots Friday against Kansas center Jeff Withey during WKU's 64-57 loss to the Jayhawks in the second round of the NCAA tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Whatever the result, the future of Western Kentucky appears as bright as ever.

Yes, the Hilltoppers fell just short of shocking No. 1 seed Kansas in their 64-57 battle at the Sprint Center in the second round of the NCAA tournament Friday.

But they did so with one scholarship senior on the roster, four juniors, six sophomores and three freshmen.

The program has won consecutive Sun Belt Conference titles, won an NCAA tournament game and gone 9-2 in the postseason under second-year coach Ray Harper.

“When you have a lot of juniors and seniors in your program, that’s when some really special things can start happening,” Harper said. “When you’ve had guys around for three, four years, they understand the process that goes into winning. That’s what I’m most excited about with this group. Some of these guys, (Aleksejs Rostov), our freshman, he got a taste of it. Now my sophomores have gotten a taste of it twice.