WKU’s 71-57 defeat at rival Middle Tennessee State Saturday may not have been the biggest loss for the Hilltoppers.
In a close 39-36 game in the second half, freshman guard Julius Thedford went out with an apparent right knee injury. Thedford, who had to be helped off the court, did not return to the game.
His loss was felt immediately.
MTSU outscored WKU 32-21 the rest of the way. The Hilltoppers shot just 30% from the field and 18% from three-point range in the second half, en route to their third loss in four games. Thedford was the Hilltoppers’ second-leading scorer against the Blue Raiders, tallying 10 points in just eight minutes.
Head Coach Hank Plona said Thedford’s injury “probably did” affect the way the Hilltoppers played the rest of the game.
“It’s tough when you see a guy who’s worked as hard as he has get injured,” Plona said in a postgame interview posted by Jeff Nations on X. “It appeared to be a pretty serious injury. Those things aren’t easy.”
Although Thedford’s status for the rest of the season is unknown, a potential long-term injury could be crucial for a WKU team that is off to an underwhelming 2-3 start in Conference USA play.
Thedford has been nothing less than a freshman sensation for WKU throughout the 2024 season. The former three-star recruit from Memphis, Tennessee is a two-time CUSA Freshman of the Week. He is the Hilltoppers’ third-leading scorer, averaging 12.4 points per game.
Thedford is not the only player to catch the injury bug this season. Senior forward Babacar Faye has been out with an MCL injury he sustained against Murray State on Dec. 14. Before his injury, Faye averaged 15.2 points per game — second most on the team.
Faye’s return to the court is questionable, however, Plona said in a press conference earlier in the week that he will not need surgery on his knee.
“It seems like this is gonna be one of those years with a lot of ups and downs and it’s gonna be a challenge and a battle,” Plona said. “We’re gonna have to take a road to achieve the things we want in a different way that makes us stronger.”
As of now, it seems the Hilltoppers may have to continue the chase for back-to-back CUSA crowns without two of their leading scorers.
“Julius (is a) super important part of our team. We love him, we care about him … at the same time, our team needs to move forward,” Plona said.
Sports Editor Jake McMahon can be reached at [email protected]