After splitting their 2-game conference home stand this past week the Hilltoppers will once again hit the road. WKU managed to hold on for the victory Thursday night against Charlotte. A game that saw the Hilltoppers gut it out with some key baskets and free throws down the stretch for a 82-80 victory. The Toppers weren't so lucky on Saturday, as they saw their 5 game winning streak snapped by letting an 11 point lead early in the 2nd half evaporate before ultimately falling to Old Dominion by a final score of 79-67.
Teams continue to torch WKU on the offensive end shooting at a high percentage from the field. Charlotte shot 50% from the floor and a red-hot 11-20 for 55% from 3 point range despite WKU still earning the victory. Old Dominion, a team that has had its share of offensive struggles this season, managed to shoot 51% from the field and 6-15 from deep for 40% tally.
The defenses struggles have been well documented by the fans, the media, Coach Stansbury, and the players themselves this season, along with inconsistent play from the PG spot and the bench. All of those things will have to improve on the upcoming road swing for WKU. The Toppers should be used to being on the road this season after spending a month between November and December away from the confines of Diddle Arena. While the distance of the next 3 games certainly will not match the USA tour the team went on earlier in the season. It could be the toughest 3 game road stretch that WKU faces all season.
Thursday 1/12/17 @ UAB
The Blazers have taken a bit of a step back since last season at 9-7 on the season and 2-1 in conference play. Don't let that record fool you though. UAB is still one of the top 4-5 teams in the conference and are incredibly tough to beat at home. In fact, WKU has only won 3 games in the 16 trips they have made to UAB over the years. UAB lost starting guard Nick Norton early in the season. His absence has been noticeably felt on the court by the Blazers. Norton helped their offense to just go. However, the Blazers still have plenty of talent to make a run at the conference championship. Led by junior forwards Chris Cokley and William Lee, UAB boasts one of the best front lines in CUSA.
Prediction:
WKU matches up fairly well with the Blazers. If WKU is going to try to steal one on this road stretch. This seems the most likely option. WKU guts it out down the stretch for a 68-64 road victory.
Saturday 1/14/17 @ MTSU
As the saying goes, "Records go out the window in a rivalry game, anything can happen." This game may be the exception to that statement and the Blue Raiders record is nothing to sneeze at either at 13-3 and 3-0 in conference play so far. MTSU seems like a fairly well oiled machine this season. In fact, the latest Bracketology from ESPN has MTSU as an at large bid into the NCAA tournament. Giddy Potts and Reggie Upshaw are still calling Murfreesboro home for what seems like a decade. Add leading scorer JaCorey Williams to the mix and you get 3 guys that are all averaging over 15 points per game. The Blue Raiders play a very in your face take it to you non stop style of basketball. Something I fear is a mismatch at the moment for WKU. While MTSU has had a couple let down performances this season. I seriously doubt one of those occurs on a night WKU comes to town.
Prediction:
This game gets ugly for WKU and not in a good way. MTSU may be one of, if not the best teams that WKU faces this season. MTSU pulls away for a 84-67 win.
Saturday 1/21/17 @ Marshall
If you could imagine the perfect offensive team to put up major points on the WKU defense this season. You wouldn't get much better than the Thundering Herd who sit at 11-6 and 4-0 in conference play. Marshall shoots a ton of 3-pointers and really pushes the ball on the offensive end. As good as the Thundering Herd are on offense they are equally as bad on the defensive side of the basketball. Much like the WKU football team in Brohm's first season, Marshall has to simply outscore you to beat you. And outscore a lot of opponents they do. ESPN Bracketology currently has Marshall winning the CUSA tournament championship and receiving the auto bid to the NCAA tournament to give the conference 2 bids this season. As well as teams have been able to shoot the ball on WKU this season and with regularity from 3 point range. This is another game that could potentially get ugly. I hope I am wrong. WKU certainly has the talent on the roster to compete with both MTSU and Marshall if they put it all together. Though I do not think they are there just yet, they could be by the time the CUSA tournament rolls around.
Prediction:
Marshall goes bonkers from 3-point range and shoots over 50% form the field for the game. WKU scores a bunch too with the awful Marshall defense, but can't keep pace. Marshall wins 94-84.
