As a team, the Hilltoppers were picked second in the preseason poll with one first-place vote.
McKnight was a 2021-22 All-Conference First Team selection for the Hilltoppers. The Shelbyville, Ky., native was the only player in the entire country to average at least 16.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game in the 2021-22 season.
The 6-1 guard improved his scoring average from freshman to sophomore season by nearly 11 points. McKnight was just the 26th player in college basketball since 1992 to record a season with at least 500 points, 175 rebounds, 175 assists and 60 steals.
The reigning C-USA Defensive Player of the Year in Sharp led the country in blocks per game with 4.62 per outing. He totaled 148 blocks which was the second-most in the country for the 2021-22 season.
Sharp averaged 8.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last year and is returning as the nation's tallest college basketball player for the second consecutive season. The Hopkinsville, Ky., native also broke WKU's record for field goal percentage in a single season by shooting 73% on the year.
Akot is one of just two transfers who were elected to the C-USA Preseason All-Conference Team. The sixth-year Boise State transfer was an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention and All-Tournament team member for the 2021-22 season. He averaged 10.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from the field for the conference champions.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba native appeared in 31 games with 29 starts for the Broncos. He logged 17 games of double-figure scoring throughout the season, leading Boise State in scoring on five occasions.
WKU will open up the preseason with two exhibitions at home: November 2 at 7 p.m. against Montevallo and November 5 at 3 p.m. against Georgetown College.
2022-23 C-USA Preseason All-Conference Honorees
Alijah Martin, Florida Atlantic
Cobe Williams, Louisiana Tech
Teafale Lenard, Middle Tennessee
Tylor Perry, North Texas
Quincy Olivari, Rice
Eric Gaines, UAB
Jordan Walker, UAB – Preseason Player of the Year
Emmanuel Akot, WKU
Dayvion McKnight, WKU
Jamarion Sharp, WKU
2022-23 C-USA Preseason Poll (first-place votes)
- UAB (9)
- WKU (1)
- North Texas (1)
- Middle Tennessee
- Florida Atlantic
- Louisiana Tech
- Rice
- UTEP
- Charlotte
- FIU
- UTSA
