WKU Men’s Basketball Coach Rick Stansbury has now missed five consecutive games. WKU Basketball announced on Dec. 29 that “WKU Hilltopper Basketball Head Coach Rick Stansbury will not coach in tonight’s game against Rice due to a health matter.” 

The same statement read, “He is in excellent spirits and looks forward to returning to the team soon.”

The last game Stansbury served as head coach was Dec. 22 in Columbia, South Carolina where the Hilltoppers lost 65-58 to the SEC South Carolina Gamecocks. 

The school has not shared any updates regarding coach Stansbury’s condition. The information that has been released about the status of his return alludes to plans of returning this season, “soon.” 

WKU athletics has no other information to release regarding Stansbury’s absence.

“I don’t have any update past what has been put out the last three weeks,” Men’s Basketball SID Dana Brown said via email.

Since the Hilltoppers faced Rice University at home, associate head coach Phil Cunningham has served as the interim head coach. So far, his record as interim head coach is 2-3. 

The Hilltoppers are currently riding on a two-game win-streak and also managed to claim these wins against conference opponents on the road. WKU will compete next on Jan. 14 against FIU in Diddle Arena at 6 p.m.