Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Conference: Conference USA (CUSA)
Head Coach: Hank Plona (8 years at Indian Hills CC, Iowa- 225-35)
1st Season at WKU with a record of 3-2
Schedule: Record: 3-2
Mon, Nov 4 vs Wichita State L, 91-84
Sat, Nov 9 @Grand Canyon L, 74-72
Tue, Nov 12 vs Campbellsville W, 104-76
Sun, Nov 17 vs Lipscomb W, 66-61
Wed, Nov 20 vs Jackson State W, 79-62
Tue, Nov 26 at Kentucky (Rupp Arena: 20,545)
Game info:
At Lexington, KY 6:30pm EST
TV: ESPNU (Announcers Roy Philpott and Pat Bradley)
Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach and Jack Givens)
Streaming: ESPN+, ESPN App
Probable Starters
#2 G Don McHenry 6-2 168 Sr 17.2pts, 3.2reb, 1.8ast, 2.2stl, 32.4% 3fg
#4 G Khristian Lander 6-3 190 Sr 12.0pts, 2.8reb, 1.4ast, 1.6blk, 37.0% 3fg
#23 G Enoch Kalambay 6-6 215 Sr 7.0pts, 5.0reb, 1.8ast, 42.9% 3fg
#24 F Tyrone Marshall Jr. 6-7 215 Sr 7.4pts, 7.0reb, 1.6ast, 22.2% 3fg
#5 F Babacar Faye 6-8 215 Sr 15.0pts, 7.8reb, 1.2ast, 40.0% 3fg
Key Reserves
#3 G Jalen Jackson 5-11 180 Sr 1.4pts, 1.6reb, 3.0ast, 0.0% 3fg
#13 G Julius Thedford 6-4 190 Fr 11.4pts, 3.2reb, 1.0ast, 54.5% 3fg
#0 G Braxton Bayless 6-2 175 Sr 4.2pts, 2.8reb, 1.8ast, 50.0% 3fg
#15 G Jack Edelen 5-10 172 So 2.8pts, 0.4reb, 1.4ast, 50.0% 3fg
#1 F Blaise Keita 6-11 250 Sr 2.7pts, 2.7reb, 0.0% 3fg
WKU Team Stats:
Points per game 81.0
Points allowed 72.8
Scoring margin +8.2
Field goal pct .440
FG% allowed .403
3-point FG pct .374
3FG% allowed .313
Free throw pct .699
Rebounds per game 41.0
Rebounds allowed 39.2
Rebounding margin +1.8
Assists per game 15.0
Turnovers per game 12.2
Assist/turnover ratio 1.2
Steals per game 9.6
Blocks per game 3.2
Ken Pom Numbers:
Overall rating: #127
Best numbers:
Overall Defense: #75
Defensive reb%: #24 (they don’t give up offensive rebounds)
Eff FG% Defense: #58
3pt% Defense: #59
Worst numbers:
Overall offense: #222
Offensive Block%: #317 (they get blocked a lot)
Offensive Steal%: #316 (they get turned over a lot)
FTA/FGA: #290 (they don’t get to the line)
Analysis: Well, this is officially the championship game of the BBN Invitational, which included Kentucky, Western KY, Jackson St, and Lipscomb. Jackson St was clearly the worst of the 4 teams. They lost by 17 to WKU, by 49 to UK, and by 24 to Lipscomb. Lipscomb lost by only 5 at WKU, beat JSU by 24, and at UK by 29. Western KY beat Lipscomb by 5 at home and then at home to Jackson St by 17 last Wednesday. So, it’s pretty clear, Lipscomb and WKU are pretty evenly matched. If that game had been played in Nashville, I would bet the Bisons would have won that one. But that brings us to UK and WKU in Rupp Arena.
There is no question, by the numbers, Western KY is much better on the defensive end than they are on the offensive end, and the difference is by a wide margin. On offense, WKU has struggled. The only category they’re in the top 200 is 3pt% shooting, and they come in at #163, which is still not very good. On KenPom’s 4-factors (Effective FG%, Turnover %, Off Reb %, and FTA/FGA), they’re outside 200 on them all on the offensive side. On defense, they’re much better, though far from elite in any category. Their defensive effective FG% is #58. Their defensive rebounding is #24. They’re #59 in 3pt% defense. Their overall defense is #75.
Their best player is the guy who has his hands on the ball quite often for the Hilltoppers. #2 Don McHenry is a 6-2 168lb Senior guard who averages 17.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.2 steals and shoots 32.4% from 3pt range. He wants to drive and finish in the lane as much as possible. He leads the team in points and steals. His back-court mate is the team’s 3rd leading scorer, it’s #4 Khristian Lander, a 6-3 190lb Senior who averages 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.6 blocks, and shoots 37.0% from 3pt range. The 3rd guard has changed a couple times this season. #23 Enoch Kalambay is a 6-6 215lb Senior who averages 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and shoots 42.9% from 3. He is a bigger guy, plays more forward than guard. The guy who has come off the bench some but started recently is #13 Julius Thedford, a 6-4 190lb Freshman who has averaged 11.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and shoots 54.5% from 3. He has been scoring more than Kalambay, so he may start. The biggest threat down low is #5 Babacar Faye, a 6-8 215lb Senior who is the team’s second leading scorer and leading rebounder, averaging 15.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and shoots 40.0% from 3. The final starter is usually #24 Tyrone Marshall Jr. a 6-7 215lb Senior who averages 7.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and doesn’t shoot threes well at 22.2%. Another guy who has started some but doesn't score much is #3 Jalen Jackson 5-11 180lb Senior point guard who averages 1.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and leads the team with 3.0 assists, but doesn't shoot threes.
From the bench, whoever doesn’t start between Kalambay and Thedford is likely first from the bench. The 2 other guards who have played many minutes are #0 Braxton Bayless, a 6-2 175lb Senior averaging 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and shoots 50.0% from 3, and #15 Jack Edelen, a 5-10 172lb Sophomore averaging 2.8 points, 1.4 assists, and shoots 50.0% from 3. The big man off the bench is #1 Blaise Keita a 6-11 250lb Senior averaging 2.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and is not a 3pt threat.
What to expect: Western KY might be a stronger challenge than Lipscomb was, but their biggest issue is that their best player, Don McHenry, is going to be facing Lamont Butler as his primary defender. I just don’t see him being able to play the way he has against these other teams when facing Butler. Butler is just as quick, much stronger, a better athlete, and a shut-down defender. Down low, Faye is only 6-8 and 215 and he’s going to be facing Williams 7-0 262. (Garrison 6-11 250 or maybe Carr 6-11 235) Regardless, nothing is coming easy down low for WKU. And with Oweh on Lander, that means their top 3 scorers will have battles on their hands to score much. Those are their top 3 scorers facing our top 3 defenders, which doesn’t bode well for a team that has been struggling to score. On the other end, WKU will be motivated to play the in-state big school at Rupp, so I expect them to limit some of what UK does offensively. Still, in the end it won’t be enough to overcome their struggles to score. KenPom predicts UK to win 88-69. Haslametrics (UK 92- WKU 70), Bart Torvik (UK 90- WKU 74), and EvanMiya (UK 87- WKU 67)
My Prediction: UK 94 WKU 70
Conference: Conference USA (CUSA)
Head Coach: Hank Plona (8 years at Indian Hills CC, Iowa- 225-35)
1st Season at WKU with a record of 3-2
Schedule: Record: 3-2
Mon, Nov 4 vs Wichita State L, 91-84
Sat, Nov 9 @Grand Canyon L, 74-72
Tue, Nov 12 vs Campbellsville W, 104-76
Sun, Nov 17 vs Lipscomb W, 66-61
Wed, Nov 20 vs Jackson State W, 79-62
Tue, Nov 26 at Kentucky (Rupp Arena: 20,545)
Game info:
At Lexington, KY 6:30pm EST
TV: ESPNU (Announcers Roy Philpott and Pat Bradley)
Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach and Jack Givens)
Streaming: ESPN+, ESPN App
Probable Starters
#2 G Don McHenry 6-2 168 Sr 17.2pts, 3.2reb, 1.8ast, 2.2stl, 32.4% 3fg
#4 G Khristian Lander 6-3 190 Sr 12.0pts, 2.8reb, 1.4ast, 1.6blk, 37.0% 3fg
#23 G Enoch Kalambay 6-6 215 Sr 7.0pts, 5.0reb, 1.8ast, 42.9% 3fg
#24 F Tyrone Marshall Jr. 6-7 215 Sr 7.4pts, 7.0reb, 1.6ast, 22.2% 3fg
#5 F Babacar Faye 6-8 215 Sr 15.0pts, 7.8reb, 1.2ast, 40.0% 3fg
Key Reserves
#3 G Jalen Jackson 5-11 180 Sr 1.4pts, 1.6reb, 3.0ast, 0.0% 3fg
#13 G Julius Thedford 6-4 190 Fr 11.4pts, 3.2reb, 1.0ast, 54.5% 3fg
#0 G Braxton Bayless 6-2 175 Sr 4.2pts, 2.8reb, 1.8ast, 50.0% 3fg
#15 G Jack Edelen 5-10 172 So 2.8pts, 0.4reb, 1.4ast, 50.0% 3fg
#1 F Blaise Keita 6-11 250 Sr 2.7pts, 2.7reb, 0.0% 3fg
WKU Team Stats:
Points per game 81.0
Points allowed 72.8
Scoring margin +8.2
Field goal pct .440
FG% allowed .403
3-point FG pct .374
3FG% allowed .313
Free throw pct .699
Rebounds per game 41.0
Rebounds allowed 39.2
Rebounding margin +1.8
Assists per game 15.0
Turnovers per game 12.2
Assist/turnover ratio 1.2
Steals per game 9.6
Blocks per game 3.2
Ken Pom Numbers:
Overall rating: #127
Best numbers:
Overall Defense: #75
Defensive reb%: #24 (they don’t give up offensive rebounds)
Eff FG% Defense: #58
3pt% Defense: #59
Worst numbers:
Overall offense: #222
Offensive Block%: #317 (they get blocked a lot)
Offensive Steal%: #316 (they get turned over a lot)
FTA/FGA: #290 (they don’t get to the line)
Analysis: Well, this is officially the championship game of the BBN Invitational, which included Kentucky, Western KY, Jackson St, and Lipscomb. Jackson St was clearly the worst of the 4 teams. They lost by 17 to WKU, by 49 to UK, and by 24 to Lipscomb. Lipscomb lost by only 5 at WKU, beat JSU by 24, and at UK by 29. Western KY beat Lipscomb by 5 at home and then at home to Jackson St by 17 last Wednesday. So, it’s pretty clear, Lipscomb and WKU are pretty evenly matched. If that game had been played in Nashville, I would bet the Bisons would have won that one. But that brings us to UK and WKU in Rupp Arena.
There is no question, by the numbers, Western KY is much better on the defensive end than they are on the offensive end, and the difference is by a wide margin. On offense, WKU has struggled. The only category they’re in the top 200 is 3pt% shooting, and they come in at #163, which is still not very good. On KenPom’s 4-factors (Effective FG%, Turnover %, Off Reb %, and FTA/FGA), they’re outside 200 on them all on the offensive side. On defense, they’re much better, though far from elite in any category. Their defensive effective FG% is #58. Their defensive rebounding is #24. They’re #59 in 3pt% defense. Their overall defense is #75.
Their best player is the guy who has his hands on the ball quite often for the Hilltoppers. #2 Don McHenry is a 6-2 168lb Senior guard who averages 17.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.2 steals and shoots 32.4% from 3pt range. He wants to drive and finish in the lane as much as possible. He leads the team in points and steals. His back-court mate is the team’s 3rd leading scorer, it’s #4 Khristian Lander, a 6-3 190lb Senior who averages 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.6 blocks, and shoots 37.0% from 3pt range. The 3rd guard has changed a couple times this season. #23 Enoch Kalambay is a 6-6 215lb Senior who averages 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and shoots 42.9% from 3. He is a bigger guy, plays more forward than guard. The guy who has come off the bench some but started recently is #13 Julius Thedford, a 6-4 190lb Freshman who has averaged 11.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and shoots 54.5% from 3. He has been scoring more than Kalambay, so he may start. The biggest threat down low is #5 Babacar Faye, a 6-8 215lb Senior who is the team’s second leading scorer and leading rebounder, averaging 15.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and shoots 40.0% from 3. The final starter is usually #24 Tyrone Marshall Jr. a 6-7 215lb Senior who averages 7.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and doesn’t shoot threes well at 22.2%. Another guy who has started some but doesn't score much is #3 Jalen Jackson 5-11 180lb Senior point guard who averages 1.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and leads the team with 3.0 assists, but doesn't shoot threes.
From the bench, whoever doesn’t start between Kalambay and Thedford is likely first from the bench. The 2 other guards who have played many minutes are #0 Braxton Bayless, a 6-2 175lb Senior averaging 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and shoots 50.0% from 3, and #15 Jack Edelen, a 5-10 172lb Sophomore averaging 2.8 points, 1.4 assists, and shoots 50.0% from 3. The big man off the bench is #1 Blaise Keita a 6-11 250lb Senior averaging 2.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and is not a 3pt threat.
What to expect: Western KY might be a stronger challenge than Lipscomb was, but their biggest issue is that their best player, Don McHenry, is going to be facing Lamont Butler as his primary defender. I just don’t see him being able to play the way he has against these other teams when facing Butler. Butler is just as quick, much stronger, a better athlete, and a shut-down defender. Down low, Faye is only 6-8 and 215 and he’s going to be facing Williams 7-0 262. (Garrison 6-11 250 or maybe Carr 6-11 235) Regardless, nothing is coming easy down low for WKU. And with Oweh on Lander, that means their top 3 scorers will have battles on their hands to score much. Those are their top 3 scorers facing our top 3 defenders, which doesn’t bode well for a team that has been struggling to score. On the other end, WKU will be motivated to play the in-state big school at Rupp, so I expect them to limit some of what UK does offensively. Still, in the end it won’t be enough to overcome their struggles to score. KenPom predicts UK to win 88-69. Haslametrics (UK 92- WKU 70), Bart Torvik (UK 90- WKU 74), and EvanMiya (UK 87- WKU 67)
My Prediction: UK 94 WKU 70
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