WKU Basketball: Grading The Tops’ 109–66 Win Over Cumberland

The exhibition schedule for the Tops has come to an end, a slate that saw them win by an average score of 93–60 (compared to last year’s…

The exhibition schedule for the Tops has come to an end, a slate that saw them win by an average score of 93–60 (compared to last year’s abysmal 95–88 average).

While it’s a small sample size and the competition isn’t near what the Tops will see over the first month-plus of the season, it’s unquestionably a step in the right direction for WKU as they look to get back to national prominence.

Lets breakdown a select few performances from Tuesday’s win before we shut the door completely on the presesaon.

Jake Ohmer: A

Jake Ohmer is the early surprise of the year in the best way possible. Ohmer was one of three Toppers to finish with 21 points (right behind already WKU royalty Justin Johnson and projected WKU royalty Taveion Hollingsworth) and went 3-for-7 from three. Already we can project Ohmer to be the most reliable three-ball candidate for WKU (although I’d like to see his shooting percentage raise a bit).

Ohmer is quick to get back on defense and he has a knack for drawing contact underneath. While I fully expect him to be overlooked by your common fan, Ohmer has an opportunity to become somewhat of an unsung hero for the Tops this year and beyond.

Taveion Hollingsworth: A

Hollingsorth finished his preseason circuit with point totals of 19, 20 and 21 points and looks every bit as dominant as those numbers would imply. I’m still trying to figure out who exactly the breakout is among the collection of Hollingsworth, Thomson and Nelson but that’s a good problem to have. Hollingsworth played the most amount of minutes of any WKU player and that might be something we are concerned about as the season goes on.

Dwight Coleby: B+

Let’s clear something up right quick — by no way did Coleby have a bad, or even below-optimal game against Cumberland. He just had a quiet game. He had the quietest 17 points one can have and also contributed nine rebounds. While he was effective, he didn’t make quite the impression on me he did against Campbellsville a week ago. He continues to, however, excite me with his presence in the paint. He’s a force to be reckoned with and he makes the Tops’ a better team when he’s on the court.

Justin Johnson: A-

You know that old adage about how competition makes players better? I think this is exactly the case for JJ with Coleby. He looks like a completely different player over the last two weeks (and he even made a three!) and I’m excited for what that competition will bring out of him. Against the Phoenix, JJ finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists. If that production keeps up, the Toppers are gonna be alright.

Overall Grade: A+

Yes, it’s an exhibition, and yes it’s Cumberland, but this is two straight dominating performances against lower competition that the Tops should have done. They’re not escaping their preseason schedule like last year — they’re in full control for most of, if not all of, the game.

One of two things is going to happen on Friday — we’re going to immediately find out if this team is for real or things are going to come crashing down, hard. But, either way, I can’t wait to see.