WKU Men’s Basketball sits at 14-12 with a losing record in Conference USA play at 5-8, a contrast from last season as they find themselves eighth in the conference with a double-digit loss to 11-17 Sam Houston State as the most recent loss in a four-game skid.
Since their historic win at home versus New Mexico State on Feb. 1, where they put up 101 points, the Hilltoppers have lost four straight games. It’s the team’s longest losing streak of the season and comes at a crucial point as the conference tournament rapidly approaches.
“Our goal is to go to Huntsville (Alabama) and play well (in the conference tournament),” Head Coach Hank Plona said following the loss to the Bearkats. “At times you need an experience like this to really look in the mirror and it gets yourself to where you need to be.”
Senior guard Don McHenry, the team leader in points per game, has been up and down in the stretch. He scored 30 of WKU’s 69 points in the loss to Kennesaw State on Feb. 6 and 20 versus Middle Tennessee State on Feb. 15. Against Jacksonville State on Feb 8., he scored 10 and had 11 versus Sam Houston on Thursday.
Senior guard Khristian Lander scored a career-high 30 points in the loss to the Gamecocks and scored double digits in both games after, but against the Bearkats, he only managed a lone 3-pointer in nine minutes of action. His minutes were limited due to a nagging back injury.
“Khristian’s back was bothering him since the game last Saturday, so he did not practice Monday or Tuesday,” Plona said. “He’s been a huge part of our team.”
Another factor in the losing streak has been rebounding. The Hilltoppers have been outrebounded in all four games, including giving up 50 to the Owls and the Blue Raiders.
WKU has shot 40% or higher from beyond the arc in just one game and committed the most fouls in every game except one. The Hilltoppers have shot under 40% as a team from the field in all of their games except the loss to Jax State.
Teams have also limited their pace and controlled the ball. The Hilltoppers had their time of possession limited and were forced to play from behind for extended parts during their losing streak. The Bearkats led for 37:42 of the 40-minute game Thursday night.
This time last season, with five games remaining in the regular season, WKU was 19-9. On the tail end of a four-game losing streak, they rattled off three straight wins in the conference tournament for a CUSA Championship. A similar streak will be needed to end the season to carry momentum into the conference tournament.
“We’re going to keep going and give everything we got,” Plona said. “I feel there is recognition of our issues and we really gotta dig into the core of what those issues are and improve as a group.”
