| Game 4 vs. Akron | Cayman Islands Classic Monday, November 21 | 12:30 p.m. CT | Georgetown, Grand Cayman Season presented by Med Center Health |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Records |  WKU (3-0) • Akron (2-1) | ||||
| Listen | Â Randy Lee (play-by-play) | Hal Schmitt (analysis) Â Hilltopper Sports Network (WKLX 100.7 FM flagship); C-USA.tv Audio; Varsity Network |
||||
| Watch | Â Scott Warmann (play-by-play) | Jess Settles (analysis) Â FloHoops |
||||
| Live Stats | Â Cayman Islands Classic Stats | ||||
| Tickets | Â Cayman Islands Classic Tickets | ||||
| Game Notes | Â WKU Game Notes | Akron Game Notes | ||||
| Pregame Video | Â No pregame press conference | ||||
| Social Media | Â @WKUBasketball  | @WKUBasketball  | Facebook  | YouTube  |
||||
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU Hilltopper Basketball is slated to open the Cayman Islands Classic against the Akron Zips on Monday at 12:30 p.m. CT. The game will stream on FloHoops from John Gray Gymnasium on Grand Cayman Island.
Â
WKU is 3-0 to start the season, picking up its most recent win over Indianapolis on Tuesday night. Akron, currently 2-1, defeated Morgan State 65-59 on the same evening.
Â
The Hilltoppers are 8-6 since 2017 in regular-season tournaments, winning two games each in the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis, 2018 Myrtle Beach Invitational, 2019 Paradise Jam and 2020 Crossover Classic.
WKU VS. AKRON SERIES BREAKDOWN
Overall History: WKU leads 8-2
Series Record at Location: The teams have never met in a neutral location
Last Meeting: #25 WKU 78, Akron 68Â
Â
WKU Hilltopper Basketball was ranked in the top 25 and was in the midst of a four-game road swing the last time they played the Akron Zips.
Â
The Hilltoppers led 30-22 at halftime and outscored the Zips in the second half 48-46 to end with a final score of 78-68 in favor of the Tops.
Â
The team was coached by Dennis Felton and ended the year ranked 19th in the final AP Poll. WKU finished 13-1 in conference play and 28-4 overall, winning the Sun Belt regular season and tournament titles. WKU lost to Stanford in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Â
TOP STORYLINES
- WKU is 8-6 since 2017 in regular-season tournaments. The Hilltoppers won two games each in the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis, 2018 Myrtle Beach Invitational, 2019 Paradise Jam and 2020 Crossover Classic.
- As of Saturday, WKU is ranked first in the nation in 3-point percentage (54.2%), second in blocks per game (8.2) and 3-pointers per game (13.0) and fourth in FG percentage defense (29.8%) and defensive rebounds per game (35.0).
- As of Saturday, Jamarion Sharp leads the nation in blocks per game (5.33) and is second in total blocks (16) . Luke Frampton is third in both 3-pointers per game (4.33) and 3-point percentage (81.2%). He has the most attempts of anyone in the top eight of the latter category.
- With 13 blocks against Indianapolis on Nov. 15, the Hilltoppers broke the program's record for blocks in a single game.
- In WKU's 127-61 route of Kentucky State on Nov. 12, the team broke numerous 3-point shooting records for both the program and in NCAA DI history.
- Emmanuel Akot became just the second player in college basketball since at least 2010-11 to notch his stat line or better in 23 minutes or less.
- Three Hilltoppers were named to the Conference USA Preseason All-Conference team: Dayvion McKnight, Emmanuel Akot & Jamarion Sharp.
- Jamarion Sharp is the tallest player in college basketball for the second season in a row at 7 feet, 5 inches. He's also the tallest player in the history of the Hilltopper program. WKU has seven players who are 6-foot-7 or taller and is the country's tallest team, according to Ken Pom.
MED CENTER HEALTH
The 2022-23 WKU Basketball season is proudly presented by Med Center Health. Med Center Health has served Southcentral Kentucky for more than 90 years, and its system of care includes six acute care hospitals, a comprehensive network of physician practices and clinics, and hundreds of area physicians offering care in dozens of specialties. From emergency treatment to preventative care, Med Center Health is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities it serves. Learn more at medcenterhealth.org.
Â
