The Hilltoppers return home for the first time since opening the season against Alabama State to take on another Alabama HBCU program, Alabama A&M.
While watching the Tops and Bulldogs today, we invite you to participate in our first-ever game discussion thread. We’ll share what we’re seeing out of the Tops, crack jokes, question coaching decisions…you know, everything that goes into watching WKU basketball.
The fact that Sharp didn't start to begin with makes me feel like Rick really is an idiot. All the guy does is hustle AND he's 7'5". What more could you ask to earn the start?
Yeah he's making a really difficult case to not keep starting when Butz is back healthy. Especially if you're used to a presence like Bassey at the 5 - what better replacement than the 7'5" guy?
I know we talk about Frampton's streaky shooting, but he really does do more than just shoot. He passes well, usually and takes decent care of the ball. And he's sneaky good at taking charges.
You can open up the doors and let the ushers in for this one, Tops get their second win of the year, 88-62, and send AAMU to 1-4 on the young campaign.
Some final thoughts from me:
- Sharp needs to start. Period.
- Cozart needs to play more minutes, and meaningful minutes, especially over the next couple of weeks if Stansbury wants him to be ready to not only face the big boys (Buffalo, Ole Miss) but be as good as it looks like he can be during conference play
- Cam Justice's return continues to look like it's paying all of the dividends.
- McKnight was kind of a non-factor tonight, but he didn't really need to be, so we'll let it slide.
That's a great way to put it - we really haven't seen this team have a true go-to guy (yet) but we're starting to see how deep this team is with talent, even if the numbers aren't there yet.
Anybody else feel like this team is coming together a little bit? Obviously easy to feel that way with a 22 point lead at half, but I think since Justice has been declared eligible, it's a different feel. And Harmon may be coming back, etc. Feeling much better than that trash the first couple of games.
I spent the entire first half thinking just that - about how it's really hard to tell much from a game like this, but it's starting to feel like we have ourselves a basketball team. Without a doubt Justice is a huge presence to instill some confidence.
Regardless of the deficit tonight, A&M has been relentless in their full-court press. It's even forced a couple of errant throws and turnovers. Big ups to the Bulldogs.
That's not a sequence the Tops will get multiple opportunities at come conference play. And usually from guys who don't struggle to finish (Hamilton, Anderson)
Gonna sign off and head home, but hope we expand this lead. Certainly an opportunity here to fall asleep and get a little cold from the field and only win by 8-12.
I'd say the only thing to complain about Sharp...that last second play. No reason to knock over a player when you're up 20 something when you have all the momentum heading into half. Freshman type of mistake. But again, it's because of hustle. LOVE that guy.
The offensive start has been...less than ideal. A quick turnover on the offensive end and then Sharp threw it right to an AAMU player while standing underneath his own basket.
UAB beat this Alabama A&M team by 45. Obviously, you can't read that much into it, but it will at least bring a measuring stick we can use to see where this team matches up in C-USA.
Yeah, AAMU has faced kind of a murders row of southern mid-majors lately, but I'm not sure how actually good they are. Hopefully the Tops are ready to play today.
Hope the defensive effort is similar, too - especially after holding the Tigers to just two three-pointers. I think Butz not being in the starting lineup will help with that effort, from what we've seen in the early going of this year.
Hello one and all - and welcome to the debut Towel Rack Game Discussion Thread. Throughout the afternoon we'll discuss everything going on between the Tops and Bulldogs.
I will if I can - didn't realize you existed but glad you do! Missing BG and WKU but much closer in Selmer, TN now after spending about 20 years in TX, KS and OK. Thanks!
Sharp and-1 dunk. He's taking full advantage of the start today
6 blocks on defense today. In less than 19 minutes.
Alley-oops to Sharp. I could get used to seeing that.
The fact that Sharp didn't start to begin with makes me feel like Rick really is an idiot. All the guy does is hustle AND he's 7'5". What more could you ask to earn the start?
Yeah he's making a really difficult case to not keep starting when Butz is back healthy. Especially if you're used to a presence like Bassey at the 5 - what better replacement than the 7'5" guy?
Maybe Butz will benefit from coming off the bench
Man we look sharp
Please tell me that's a pun
I thought of capitalizing it ;)
Man I’m glad Frampton is hitting shots but why couldn’t he have found his stroke a game or two before this
I know we talk about Frampton's streaky shooting, but he really does do more than just shoot. He passes well, usually and takes decent care of the ball. And he's sneaky good at taking charges.
As long as he stays this hot, or half this hot, it'll work out well, methinks.
You can open up the doors and let the ushers in for this one, Tops get their second win of the year, 88-62, and send AAMU to 1-4 on the young campaign.
Some final thoughts from me:
- Sharp needs to start. Period.
- Cozart needs to play more minutes, and meaningful minutes, especially over the next couple of weeks if Stansbury wants him to be ready to not only face the big boys (Buffalo, Ole Miss) but be as good as it looks like he can be during conference play
- Cam Justice's return continues to look like it's paying all of the dividends.
- McKnight was kind of a non-factor tonight, but he didn't really need to be, so we'll let it slide.
This one belongs to the big man.
We have several that rise to the occasion on any given night - Sharp's gonna start having fun and LOOKJ OUT!
That's a great way to put it - we really haven't seen this team have a true go-to guy (yet) but we're starting to see how deep this team is with talent, even if the numbers aren't there yet.
HISTORY.
TRIPLE DOUBLE FOR SHARP, GANG.
The ESPN+ broadcast keeps saying Sharp's is the second triple-double in program history, WKU's social keeps saying its the third.
But make no mistake, it's the third.
SHARP SLAM X 2
We're at 6 points, 10 boards and 8 blocks for Sharp today
Unbelievable
7 blocks for Sharp
Anybody else feel like this team is coming together a little bit? Obviously easy to feel that way with a 22 point lead at half, but I think since Justice has been declared eligible, it's a different feel. And Harmon may be coming back, etc. Feeling much better than that trash the first couple of games.
I spent the entire first half thinking just that - about how it's really hard to tell much from a game like this, but it's starting to feel like we have ourselves a basketball team. Without a doubt Justice is a huge presence to instill some confidence.
Dumb foul at the half but honestly a good first half. Sharp looks great as well as Hamilton
So glad we went through all of that to put .4 back on the clock and have three more points be scored. I'm sure that will matter so much.
Tops are shooting 82% just past the halfway mark of the first half. That'll do.
Brashear has had such a strong evening. Then misses the bunny at the rim
Regardless of the deficit tonight, A&M has been relentless in their full-court press. It's even forced a couple of errant throws and turnovers. Big ups to the Bulldogs.
Now Brashear with the hot hand: Bookending this game with some impressive minutes.
Sharp sitting at 8 points. Need just one more basket and we have a triple-double.
Tops are 10-18 from deep on the day, but just 2-7 in the second half.
That Justice splash, though. *fans self*
Yo shoutout to Jalen Johnson from AAMU on that defensive hustle. Closed in on Cozart real quick to deny him the easy bucket
Isaiah Cozart has had a really nice afternoon. Don't let Sharp's performance overshadow him today.
That's not a sequence the Tops will get multiple opportunities at come conference play. And usually from guys who don't struggle to finish (Hamilton, Anderson)
But having Cozart in the lineup will certainly help.
Tops going "small' out of the timeout - Cozart in at the 5 it looks like.
TEN BLOCKS! WE HAVE TEN BLOCKS!
Sets a single-game program record.
Double-double is a go. Sharp needs four more points for the triple-double
With 14:45 to play, the Sharp triple-double watch stands at:
10 rebounds, 9 blocks, 6 points
Frampton looked like a free safety on that foul. Think the Tops need an extra hand in Huntington on Saturday?
Gonna sign off and head home, but hope we expand this lead. Certainly an opportunity here to fall asleep and get a little cold from the field and only win by 8-12.
It's felt that way at times with the shots not falling but the defensive hustle/effort has stayed strong
Welcome to the game, Josh Anderson
Rinse and repeat
Back 20 has begun: Same starting lineup to open the second half.
Halftime: WKU leads, 47-25
A few observations at the break:
- Sharp needs to continue starting, full stop.
- Shooting this hot isn't going to sustain, but the shot selection has been really strong today
- McKnight hasn't been much of a factor yet, on or off the stat sheet.
- Aside from a couple of misfires, the passing has been crisp and the ball movement has been quick and decisive
I'd say the only thing to complain about Sharp...that last second play. No reason to knock over a player when you're up 20 something when you have all the momentum heading into half. Freshman type of mistake. But again, it's because of hustle. LOVE that guy.
And, honestly, if he isn't 7'5", does he even make as much contact? Probably not. Would rather see overhustle than no hustle
Easiest possibility of a triple-double: Sharp Points, Rebs, Blocks
Currently at 4, 9, 6, respectively
Sharp has five blocks already?
Yeah, he's been great defensively. AAMU had a ton of looks in the opening couple of minutes that he swatted away, too.
Hey Y'all whadup
Brashear has a nice touch. Can definitely be a good bench player
Yeah I'm glad he's getting not-garbage time minutes. He's got a smooth stroke, I don't think I've seen him shoot before.
Hit a few big shots in opener
That was the best ball-moving sequence I can remember from WKU basketball.
Brashear, Cozart and Justice now in for the Tops out of the under 12.
I've never noticed how thicc Cozart is before, my word.
He’s definitely gangly
Timeout with 12:52 to play in the first half, Tops up 18-4. Currently on an 18-2 run and are making it look really, really easy.
I think we've found *the* lineup with Sharp in the starting 5. I get AAMU is bad, but everything is firing on all cylinders right now.
pretty sure Hamilton has 3 buckets from that same spot at the elbow so far.
Alabama A&M looks terrible
They had like a full minute of possession to open the game and came away with one bucket after like 7 looks
First timeout of the game: 9-2, Tops, with 15:33 to play in the first half.
You can stop this game now: Luke Frampton has hit a three
Hamilton has been awesome here in the opening minutes
Not sure what Frampton was doing being the option underneath the basket there, but here we are.
The offensive start has been...less than ideal. A quick turnover on the offensive end and then Sharp threw it right to an AAMU player while standing underneath his own basket.
Definitely looks like the crowd you’d expect at 4 pm on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving
Not sure what the thought process of this game existing was, really.
Sharp wins the tip (rather easily) and away we go from Diddle.
https://twitter.com/jmacdonaldsport/status/1463622571924983811?s=21 Expect to see Cozart and Miles play a decent amount option
If any time were *the* time to get them in, today is the day
UAB beat this Alabama A&M team by 45. Obviously, you can't read that much into it, but it will at least bring a measuring stick we can use to see where this team matches up in C-USA.
Yeah, AAMU has faced kind of a murders row of southern mid-majors lately, but I'm not sure how actually good they are. Hopefully the Tops are ready to play today.
Hope this team holds onto the ball tonight better than they did against Memphis. Gotta limit turnovers
Hope the defensive effort is similar, too - especially after holding the Tigers to just two three-pointers. I think Butz not being in the starting lineup will help with that effort, from what we've seen in the early going of this year.
We have a change to the starting five for the Tops: Jamarion Sharp is in, Jaylen Butz is out.
The rest is unchanged: Dayvion McKnight, Luke Frampton, Josh Anderson, Jarius Hamilton
https://twitter.com/WKUBasketball/status/1463622214184357888?s=20
In our preview I called for Camron Justice to start over Butz, but Sharp is an interesting choice to do so as well.
Hello one and all - and welcome to the debut Towel Rack Game Discussion Thread. Throughout the afternoon we'll discuss everything going on between the Tops and Bulldogs.
Lineups should be coming in within the next 20 or so minutes. While you're waiting, be sure to check out our preview if you haven't already. https://thetowelrackwku.substack.com/p/wku-basketball-hilltoppers-welcome
Whether you're in Diddle, at your cubicle or on your couch, we are happy to have you join us!
Thanks - Great job!
Hope you can join us in real-time next time, Joseph!
I will if I can - didn't realize you existed but glad you do! Missing BG and WKU but much closer in Selmer, TN now after spending about 20 years in TX, KS and OK. Thanks!
Final score??