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Published Oct 22, 2023
Steve Lutz details WKU's preseason progression
Drew Toennies  •  InsideHilltopperSports
Staff Writer
Twitter
@drew_toennies

Western Kentucky head coach Steve Lutz recently met with members of the media to go in-depth on his vision for the program as well as the Hilltoppers' progression on the court ahead of the opening tipoff of preseason action.

Lutz said that he likes the talent on WKU's roster and thinks the Hilltoppers have the tools available to get where they want to go. He added that he's coached long enough to be confident in the team he's put together.

The Hilltoppers' new head coach said that he believes Western Kentucky has the talent than can help win them the league or be in the hunt to win the league and get to the NCAA Tournament this upcoming March.

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"Nothing's changed since Monday. I like our talent, I think we've got enough talent to get where we want to go... I've coached long enough to feel confident that we have the talent that can help us win the league or be in the hunt to win the league and go to the NCAA tournament."
Steve Lutz

WKU guard Khristian Lander, center Fallou Diagne, guard/forward Dontaie Allen and forward Tyrone Marshall Jr. were among the players from last season that stayed on with the Hilltoppers.

Lutz said that all four players have what he's looking for as they are good teammates and fit in well with the culture of Western Kentucky's program.

"They're all great players, I like all of them. When we took the job over, you tried to keep everyone you felt would be a good teammate, would fit in to our culture, would fit into our program. And those four guys have done that, they've been fantastic since they've been here."
Steve Lutz

Lutz said that with the system he's building at WKU, he wants to have interchangable parts, meaning you've got to recruit to the style of play you want to use.

"I want to have interchangable parts. We've obviously talked about our defense, talked about our offense and how we want to play, so you've gotta recruit to the style of play you want to therefore use."
Steve Lutz

Lutz said that what he's looking for when building the roster is guys who can pass, handle and shoot the basketball as well as players that can play motion offense.

"I want to have guys that can pass, handle and shoot the basketball. I want to have interchangable parts and I want to play motion offense. So when you play motion offense, you have to have people that can do multiple things."
Steve Lutz

Lutz said that he hasn't finalized the Hilltoppers' starting five yet but the team's upcoming scrimmage should be a good indication of that.


"I don't believe it matters if you start, it matters if you finish... We're gonna scrimmage tomorrow and that will be a good indication or at least a good first step at figuring that out."
Steve Lutz

Lutz said that he plans to win his first game as WKU's head coach as the Hilltoppers begin with Kentucky Wesleyan before hitting the road to take on Wichita State.

"As a coach, and I'm not saying we're gonna win our first game, but when you take over a job, you should try to win your first game. You should play at home and you should try to win your first game. I believe in that. So, I'm hoping we can beat Kentucky Wesleyan. Right after that, you have to go to Wichita State."
Steve Lutz

Lutz said that Wichita State should be a challenging opponent as it's a tough place to play and Paul Mills is a great coach.

He added that Western Kentucky has their work cut out for them with the Shockers.

"Obviously, Wichita State. I was in the Missouri Valley for four years and Wichita State is a heck of a place to play, tough place to play. Paul Mills is a really good basketball coach and I think we'll have our work cut out for us."
Steve Lutz

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