Tops Not Shocking, Fall to Wichita State in Valiant Effort in Front of Decent WKU Crowd Monday, 91-84
MBB: Topper Basketball is 0-2 and 0-1 officially (exhibition loss to UAB). However, the Tops have faced two of the four favorites in the AAC and have been competitive in both games despite injuries.
Editor’s Note: First of all, y’all throw us a bone during this crazy time of year as nearly all sports are playing or preparing for an incoming season. We are volunteers and some of us are voluntold. We appreciate your patience.
Western Kentucky Basketball is off to a bit of a rough start in some ways. However, Topper fans probably shouldn’t be panicking. The comments are already raining in about how Plona isn’t who he’s supposed to be, that WKU got lucky last year (true but out of context), and that this team will take a step back.
Folks, how can you possibly know that?
WKU has faced two teams (one officially) who could easily win their conference. Given that both of these teams (UAB and Wichita State) reside in the same conference (AAC), it is statistically likely that WKU has been competitive with the eventual champion of the AAC without not one but two key pieces. And that doesn’t mention the setbacks of many of the potential role players that could provide some depth for the Tops throughout the season.
WKU has nearly a handful of players out for the season with leg injuries, several of which have saddled those Tops for multiple years. Fallou Diagne and Terrion Murdix are both crucial pieces that continue to have complications after multiple surgeries. High level freshman recruit and local star Cade Unseld is recovering from a knee injured suffered at Warren Central. Walk-on Jaylen Dorsey didn’t dress this last game. Even Jaylen Jackson, who has played but continues to get treatment, is recovering from missing most of last season, as well.
With all of that necessary explanation, the Tops have been in two games early against good opponents. How good are they and how good are the Tops? Who knows?
What we do know is the Tops are playing hard, and Hank Plona is holding them to a higher standard than just “pretty good”. He’s emphasizing effort and mental toughness, speaking after both losses about how WKU needs to be more mentally engaged throughout the game, that they need to learn how to bounce back from mistakes, and that rotations will change based solely on effort and stability.
Quick Recap vs. Wichita State
Down no more than three at any point, Wichita State controlled the scoreboard for about eight minutes. At 15-13 with 12:25 remaining, the Shockers, despite ten turnovers in the first half of the first half, were leading on the scoreboard. From there, WKU was the one to actually take control and build a decent lead, leading by as much as eight points thanks to a 12-2 run in less than three minutes of action to put the score at 25-17.
WKU continued to play excellent basketball throughout the first half. Even before they took their lead, Wichita State was a mess trying to get the ball up the court. However, before the end of the first half, Wichita State started gaining its footing, cutting into the small WKU advantages, and eventually tied it with a Xavier Bell three pointer with 1:32 left in the half. That would be part of a 13-2 run to end the half that would put the Shockers up five at the break.
From there, WKU would hang around but never take a lead of more than a possession again. WKU was completely in it and within two possessions until Just Hill made a layup with 10:43 remaining. Standing at 66-59, the scoring would stagnate until WKU got in foul mode under two minutes. The score inflated significantly once both teams got into the double bonus, with the final line settling at 91-84.
News and Notes
Topper Crowd Decent
Diddle Arena is always awesome, and the crowd can make some noise. But thus far, for a team coming off of an 11 year drought returning much of its firepower, it’s a little underwhelming to only have 4,500 fans in attendance for the season opener against a really interesting opponent.
The crowd did get loud, and there was even participation from the Red Towel section! And I think if WKU plays as hard as they did and continues to run, Diddle Arena will be rocking come March. However, I would encourage those debating about it, show up to Diddle Arena. The crowd should be nearly full, and by the end of the year, Diddle better be sold out. If this team plays like it could, there’s no reason Diddle Arena can’t be the best arena in Conference USA.
PACK DIDDLE!
Topper Defense With Plenty of Work to Do
A major concern coming out of WKU’s first two games is defense in general. Both the three point line and interior defense has struggled, giving up 88 or more in their first two contests. Some of this is style of play, but more concerningly, WKU is getting dominated inside, allowing pick-and-rolls to be effective for dunks without weak side help, and they’re also allowing opponents to get open shots outside.
As WKU Head Coach Hank Plona said, the Tops need to at least stop one of these options. Against WSU, the Tops both fouled a significant amount and allowed the Shockers to crank it from deep. Western scored enough to win (84) but couldn’t stop Wichita State to save their lives.
Tops Missing Pieces
Teagan Moore is doubtful to questionable for the foreseeable future. He may be getting closer, but word on the street has it that he will probably not be contributing anything of significance until at least December. In addition, Blaise Keita had a bone bruise that kept him from playing against Wichita State. Jaylen Jackson is also still recovering while playing. He was out much of last year due to injury, and he kept a visible back strap (either heating pad or brace) on all the way through halftime warmups against the Shockers.
In addition to these players being out, as was mentioned above, several players are out for the season and should have eligibility remaining. But the Tops are absolutely shorthanded due to circumstance.
Keep it in Mind…
It’s so early in the season. WKU could lose every game before conference play and it wouldn’t really matter at the end of the day. And for those that talk about an at-large big, WKU could probably afford one or two more losses before conference play to have any kind of realistic shot at an at-large bid.
So don’t panic. It’s really not worth making your judgements until a) Keita and Moore are both back or b) It’s time for conference play. Until then, this is all window dressing.
Yes, of course, ideally, WKU would position itself to be a decent seed in the NCAA Tournament if they were to win Conference USA. Ideally, WKU would be in the at-large discussion. They could be and we should expect the Tops to be right in that ballpark every single year.
There’s nothing wrong with expecting that. But it’s also not time to be writing them off, either. They played two good teams. They play another one at Grand Canyon. It is entirely possible and reasonable for WKU to go 0-2 to start the season and still be a currently good basketball team.
Everybody relax, and let’s see how November unfolds before we completely freak out.
Previewing Grand Canyon
We move on to prospecting Grand Canyon University from here. A rabid, growing fan base, GCU is crazy for their sports. They tailgate in tents for their basketball games. Like they’re certifiably crazy for their basketball team.
Expect an incredible atmosphere. Expect a good game. Expect high scoring. Expect athleticism.
But also, expect WKU to be better than they have been. ESPN’s Power Index loves the GCU Antelopes, but that literally means nothing considering we’ve only played a few games. Expect a coin flip type of feel. GCU could run away with it, but this should easily be one of the most entertaining games in WKU’s non-conference schedule.
There is a lot to watch Saturday. The Lady Toppers kick it off against Kentucky State in Diddle at 4 PM. Then the gridiron Toppers take the field at NMSU at 5 PM. And then the roundball Toppers play GCU at 7 PM. Shoot, don’t forget WKU Volleyball at Sam Houston Friday at 6 PM and Saturday at Noon CST.
Towel Rack/RedOut will do our best to cover these games as best we can.
Make sure you tune in to both by Saturday so you can be aware of all that is happening on The Hill!
It’s now the meat of Conference USA season in football, basketball is finally here, Volleyball is deep in CUSA play and prepping for the postseason, and the Topper fall calendar is in full swing. And good luck finding an outlet that provides comprehensive Lady Topper coverage.
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GO TOPS!!!!