October is here, and with it comes the final days of the Men’s College Basketball Offseason.
WKU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Steve Lutz previewed the 2023-2024 season with a preseason press conference Friday. Rodney Howard, a 6’1” Georgia Tech transfer, Khristian Lander, and Brandon Newman joined Head Coach Steve Lutz as they detailed their expectations for the upcoming season.
With only five members of the current regime having a year on The Hill under their belt, it was important for Lutz to detail the importance of this team’s chemistry.
“They’re all good players.” Lutz said, “I mean, when we took the job over, we tried to keep everyone we felt like would be a good teammate, and fit in best with our culture… So in my mind, that is what separates good coaches from great coaches, in which you have to figure out how to play with that group.”
However, when it came to the program riding on the back of one man, Coach Lutz was not able to pick a dominant leader for this year’s squad.
“I wish I had a good answer for you,” Lutz said, “I think at times we have leadership from different people in different spots, but that’s not a new system.”
Lutz emphasized the need to establish a defensive identity and create a dynamic environment for growth and learning.
When it came time for the student-athletes to take the stage, neither Howard, Lander, or Newman said that they felt the pressure of making the starting lineup.
“I mean personally, and maybe this is just my opinion, but there’s no pressure.” Newman said, a transfer Guard from Purdue, “I’m just making sure that i’m carrying out his [Lutz] instructions and carrying out what he wants.”
While Newman, Howard, and Lander have all spent time in other conferences, Howard and Newman are getting their first taste of C-USA action. Lander, the only of the three to play a season for the Hilltoppers, says that C-USA is ‘a lot harder’ than given credit for.
Yet, Howard echoed a perfect sentiment for the occasion, “Anyone can win these days.”
WKU hosts Hilltopper Hysteria on October 26th. This event will feature a performance from the WKU Dance Team, a Skills Challenge, a 3-Point Contest, and a Dunk Contest.
The Tops will also have their home opener against Kentucky Wesleyan College on November 6th at 7:30pm.
Sports reporter Luke Edmonds can be reached at luke.edmonds938@ topper.wku.edu.
