WKU Men’s Basketball returns to Diddle Arena, hosting rival Middle Tennessee State Saturday night, Valentine’s Day.
The Hilltoppers come off an 80-70 win at home against FIU on Feb. 7. The win moved WKU to 13-11 and 6-7 in conference play, placing the team sixth in conference standings.
WKU has a balanced offense, with four players averaging double figures. The Hilltoppers have been without their leading scorer for the last five games. Redshirt sophomore guard Teagan Moore has been sidelined with a concussion.
Senior forward Grant Newell has stepped up for the Hilltoppers in Moore’s absence. Newell has scored 10 or more points in the last eight games for WKU.
MTSU comes off a win Thursday night against Kennesaw State 90-87, snapping a two-game losing streak for the Blue Raiders. With the win, MTSU sits at 12-12 and 6-7 in CUSA.
The Blue Raiders are led by senior guard Kamari Lands and redshirt sophomore forward Torey Alston, averaging 13.8 and 13.1 points, respectively.
MTSU has found great success from the 3-point line this season. In CUSA, they currently rank third in 3-pointers made per game with nine.
“A lot of their guys are shoot first from the perimeter. We did notice they have been very successful, when they make nine or more threes their record is a lot better if they make eight or less,” Head Coach Hank Plona said.
The Hilltoppers and Blue Raiders met earlier this season on Jan. 31, where WKU snapped their four-game losing streak, defeating MTSU 65-60.
“It was good to get a win down there. It felt like we won down there when we needed one,” Head Coach Hank Plona said.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., and the game can be streamed on ESPN+.
