WKU Head Coach Hank Plona provided updates on injured Hilltoppers and discussed building his team’s chemistry at his Monday press conference.
Sophomore guard Teagan Moore returned to the lineup in the game against Middle Tennessee on Saturday, but the Hilltoppers still have three players nursing injuries this season. The Hilltoppers return to the court against Delaware on Wednesday, before traveling to Liberty on Saturday.
WKU Men’s Basketball sits at 14-11 (7-7 CUSA) this season following a win over Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
On Armelo Boone: “He’s getting treatment right now. It doesn’t seem to be as serious as the first time.”
Freshman guard Armelo Boone missed two games following an injury in the loss against Liberty on Jan. 21. Boone returned to the lineup for a Jan. 31 game against Middle Tennessee, but was left out of the lineup for a Feb. 14 win over the Blue Raiders.
Plona said Boone may return for this weekend’s game against Liberty, but he placed a “questionable” tag on his availability for Wednesday’s game against Delaware. Plona said the injury isn’t as severe as before, and said he won’t miss as much time as he did after the first injury.
On the rotations and actions of the players: “A lot of players resort to their own scoring sometimes…as a way to stay on the floor subconsciously.”
Plona discussed the keys to getting a team to buy in and work as a unit. He said some players attempt to score for themselves to increase their playing time, but was quick to add that players do this unintentionally
Plona said players who play hard with awill to win will play in clutch situations. Kade Unseld, Plona said, is one player who may not score the most but will hustle and make the winning plays.
On future for the rest of this season: “If we can get as much better the next three weeks as we have the last three weeks, I think we have a chance.”
Through all the injuries for the team this season, the Hilltoppers still sit in the top four in the conference. The team is in a bit of an upward swing, following four straight losses; the Hilltoppers have won three of four games.
WKU will be on the road a lot to finish the regular season, playing four of its last six away, but sits ahead of five of those six teams in the CUSA standings.
The Hilltoppers prepare for Delaware on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m.
