WKU Basketball: Hilltoppers Cruise in Game That Should Have Been an Exhibition, 105-35
I still have no idea why this game was scheduled, but at least it didn't cause any worry which is the biggest win of all.
Western Kentucky moved to 4-3 on the season by obliterating Rhodes College, 105-35, Tuesday night inside Diddle Arena.
WKU netted over 100 points for the first time since scoring 109 points against Campbellsville on November 18, 2019.
The Hilltoppers scored 16 straight points to open the game before the Lynx got on the board and that’s kind of how the game went from then on. Only once in the first half did Rhodes score consecutive baskets (a Jeremiah Cook three pointer and a Jefferson Walker layup, making for a 45-15 game).
Rhodes scored consecutive baskets on just two other occasions in the second half in a game that wasn’t ever close and was dangerously close to seeing the Tops score 100 before the Lynx reached 30 (thankfully, it wasn’t that bad).
Let’s take a moment and talk real really quick: This game shouldn’t have been played. At least, it shouldn’t have been played under circumstances in which things like record and stats count. There are a myriad of reasons to where you can sell me on why this game was put on the schedule, and I guess team chemistry building is at the top of that list, but this should have been an exhibition game.
Now, having said that, here’s the deal: If we get into the belly of the non-conference schedule (which is coming up soon, with Buffalo and Ole Miss on the horizon next week) and things happen like Noah Stansbury (who totaled four rebounds and seven assists in 23 minutes) and Sherman Brashear (20 points - the second-most for the Tops - and six rebounds in 25 minutes) looking good in meaningful minutes, then we might be able to look at this game and see it was worthwhile.
But, I fear this sleepwalk will lead to a rude awakening on Saturday against Eastern Kentucky.
Snark aside, there were some good things to take away from the usual suspects: Luke Frampton remains hot from beyond the arc, hitting each of his first four three-point attempts and finishing the game 6-for-8 from deep.
Jarius Hamilton scored 24 points and logged six rebounds.
Dayvion McKnight dished out 10 assists and grabbed eight boards.
Camron Justice wasn’t as surprisingly phenomenal as we’ve seen him be in the past, but he was serviceable in a spot-start for Josh Anderson, who was not available after being placed in COVID protocol. His status for EKU remains unknown, at this juncture.
The one true take away from this one is as follows: UAB beat the same Lynx squad 98-61. The Blazers are always something of a barometer for how the Tops will fare in conference play and if this is the type of effort the Tops can give, things should look pretty bright come C-USA season.
Here are your full stats from this one.
