WKU Basketball: Tops Obliterate MTSU, Roar into CUSA Finals, 85-54
Without question, WKU is playing the best basketball in CUSA since arriving in Huntsville. Can the Tops finish it off Saturday at 7:30 against UTEP?
Well, my goodness.
If you had WKU winning by 20+ twice in a row and drawing UTEP in the finals on your bingo card, you and I need to meet up after the game tonight and go throw some dice. I’ll spot you.
Western Kentucky Men’s Basketball (21-11, 8-8 CUSA) had a really nice performance against sixth seeded New Mexico State, but the Tops went in against an MTSU team that had a day’s extra rest and dominated from the tip. By halftime, the Hilltoppers had completely broken MTSU’s will up 46-27.
The main (and significant) bummer in this one was Dontaie Allen going down with a knee injury in the first half. Dontaie immediately went to the locker room and the team made arrangements to send him to the hospital to get seen during the game. By pure logic and reasoning, an injury significant enough to get scanned for a tear is probably not going to lend itself to being treatable by 7:30 Saturday.
Can we confirm completely that Dontaie Allen is out against UTEP? No. But every indication is this was a big enough issue that Dontaie will almost certainly not play.
Back to the action, WKU poured it on in the second half, getting up by as much as 85-80 with 3:22 left. WKU’s bench finished off the game, with even Tyler “Fluff” Olden coming in trying to go full Kobe with the fadeaway bank off the glass. It didn’t go in, but it was so much fun to just sit there with ten or so minutes left and just kind of know that it was over. I didn’t personally relax until about six or seven minutes left, but WKU had absolutely zero game pressure in this one.
What Went Right
Team Defense: The Tops held MTSU to 31 percent shooting and 54 points. They shut down the middle of the lane and forced MTSU to score at the line and on the perimeter. They kept MTSU’s bigs from being productive, and when WKU is way more dominant inside, it is difficult to beat WKU.
Three Point Battle: WKU shot 50 percent from three. Middle generally shoots a ton of threes, which makes them dangerous just because they can always make a few shots and find themselves in a game.
Free Throws: Although WKU did not draw as many fouls as MTSU and did not shoot as many, the Tops missed one free throw against the Blue Raiders.
Defensive Rebounding: At one point in the second half, it was just one-and-done for Middle. If they did not make it, Enoch Kalambay and Teagan Moore (19 combined rebounds) were wiping the glass after one shot attempt.
Turnovers: At one point, WKU had nine turnovers late in the second half. WKU committed six of their turnovers in garbage time, so although WKU did not have a pretty number, it was more like an 11-12 turnover type of performance.
Don McHenry got back right: For the first time in several games, Don McHenry had a good game. He did shoot slightly less than 50 percent, but he made more points than shots he took, and he finally led the team in scoring. With First Team All-CUSA honors, McHenry should be the first or second feature in the WKU offense, and he finally was Friday afternoon.
Teagan Moore double-double: Teagan Moore’s freshman campaign continues to add layers of greatness. Teagan has not had more than four rebounds in any game this season. All of a sudden, in the biggest game of the year so far, he comes up with a double-double.
Tops Dominated the paint 32-20: WKU is best when it gets inside, be it by penetration or feeding the post. WKU did both, and Rodney Howard did not score 20 this game, and the Tops still only allowed ten buckets inside the paint against MTSU.
Enoch Kalambay has played two nice games: Kalambay has a tendency to turn it over, but he has not done so, and has been present these past two games. This game, he took whatever he was given, shooting 2-for-3 from the field, but he also contributed nine rebounds.
Khristian Lander has his first great game since injury: A huge question for WKU’s well-being going forward is whether Khristian Lander can drop in double digits whenever he is given the opportunity. Khristian had 18 points on eight shots, so he wasn’t wasting his efforts but made a huge impact in this one
Jack Edelen: What is there to say, but GIMME A BOTTLE OF JACK! Jack has been stellar in these two games, being pesky as heck. The man just doesn’t score, although he did take a couple of shots this game. In 21 minutes, he played incredible defense, had two rebounds, an assist, a steal, and didn’t turn the ball over. Despite not scoring a point, his minutes were incredibly impactful.
The Draw: This has to be mentioned, right? WKU has been fortunate to avoid La Tech, Sam Houston, and Liberty, the three most favorited teams in this tournament.
Tops in the final for the first time in three seasons: Historically, this is the longest drought for WKU. Western has always made the tournament within five years since the NCAA Tournament was the tournament to win. It’s been 11 years, and it’s been three years since WKU was in the championship game with Rick Stanbsury.
What Went Wrong
Offensive Rebounding: Part of this was MTSU missing a bunch of shots, but MTSU did crash the offensive glass one more time than WKU, 8-7. Now, of course it must be kept in context. However, here is a place Western could improve. There were moments where the Tops did not box out, and they either got lucky or allowed MTSU a lane to tip a ball around and steal an extra possession. WKU can’t just take the boards for granted.
Lack of Assists: Despite 31 made baskets, WKU did not have double digit assists for the entire game. Some of that is circumstance, and sometimes, the way you play and the style of the game play into that. However, in such a riveting offensive game, it’s surprising that most shots were unassisted.
Fouls: WKU fouled more than MTSU and allowed MTSU to shoot more free throws. This wasn’t a huge margin, but it’s something to keep an eye on going forward.
Rodney Howard had five turnovers: I didn’t realize it was this bad, but Rod Howard actually turned the ball over half of the time for the main rotation players. There were several down the stretch, but in only 18 minutes, Rod was halfway to double digits in turnovers.
Tops are beat up a little bit: Obviously Dontaie Allen is the obvious. Let’s remember Jalen Jackson and Terrion Murdix are guards that have been out for a while. In addition, we know Khristian Lander has some back concerns. Teagan Moore has been wearing a sleeve on his knee. Babacare Faye is always hitting the floor and was wincing at one point in the game. There are probably other little nicks and cuts. Does it end up taking the edge off of the Tops? Hopefully not, but it’s something to keep an eye on. WKU has played extremely hard. That intensity leads to intense collisions.
No Challenge: UTEP has played two close, come-from-behind battles down to the wire. WKU has faced zero game pressure. What if it’s really close? Will UTEP use the experience from the last couple of games? Or will WKU fold under pressure? It’s a fair question.
A lot of things went really right…what if they don’t? Think about this: If WKU didn’t shoot 7-of-11 in the first half and say shot 3-of-11? WKU would have been up seven at half. What if a couple of bounces go the other way and the Tops only win the rebound battle by one insted of nine? That’s a swing of four possessions, potentially. What if Babacar Faye didn’t have one of his better games? What if Western had really missed Dontaie Allen’s presence in the lineup? A lot of things went right against MTSU. A few bounces the other way, and the MUTS could have had a chance at WKU. Let’s not get too carried away. That game was about as high of a margin as it could be. It could easily have been 15 or 20, and that doesn’t account for Middle missing buckets, as well.
Putting it in Perspective
The main thing is the Tops thrived and advanced. If they can survive and advance to the NCAA Tournament, we will all be thrilled. The Tops have had their path carved to the final. They are here, and they are favored by 3.5 as of publication of this article.
It’s time for WKU to break through. Let’s help them make it happen.