| Game 1 at Eastern Kentucky Thursday, November 10 | 6 p.m. CT | Richmond, Ky. Season presented by Med Center Health |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Records | WKU (0-0) • Eastern Kentucky (1-0) | ||||
| Listen | Randy Lee (play-by-play) | Hal Schmitt (analysis) Hilltopper Sports Network (WKLX 100.7 FM flagship); C-USA.tv Audio; Varsity Network |
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| Watch | ESPN+ | ||||
| Live Stats | EKU Stats | ||||
| Tickets | EKU Tickets | ||||
| Game Notes | WKU Game Notes | EKU Game Notes | ||||
| Pregame Video | No pregame press conference | ||||
| Social Media | @WKUBasketball  | @WKUBasketball  | Facebook  | YouTube  |
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BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After months of anticipation, WKU Hilltopper Basketball will officially be underway with its season on Thursday night as it takes on Eastern Kentucky in Richmond, Ky., at 6 p.m. CT. The game will stream live on ESPN+.
The Hilltoppers prepared for the season with two exhibition victories in E.A. Diddle Arena. WKU defeated Montevallo 93-65 and Georgetown College 88-68. EKU opened its season with a 137-52 win over Miami (OH)-Middletown on Monday night at home.
WKU VS. EKU SERIES BREAKDOWN
Overall History: WKU leads 115-44, dating back to 1914-15
Series Record in Richmond: WKU leads 47-27
Last Meeting: WKU 85, EKU 80 | December 4, 2021
WKU overcame two missing starters and a record 3-point shooting night from Eastern Kentucky, outlasting the Colonels 85-80 for the Hilltoppers fourth straight win at E.A. Diddle Arena.
The Hilltoppers were without leading scorer senior forward Jairus Hamilton, who missed the game with a back injury, as well as fifth-year senior guard Josh Anderson, who missed due to COVID-19 protocols.
On top of that, Eastern Kentucky set a new Diddle Arena record with both 18 made 3-pointers and 51 attempts from behind the arc. WKU shot 51.8% from the field, making 20 of 26 free throws to overcome the adversity. WKU also committed just 12 turnovers against the Colonels' unrelenting press.
TOP STORYLINES
- WKU is 71-31 all-time in season openers, including a home 79-74 win over Alabama State last year. The Hilltoppers are 4-2 in season openers under Stansbury.
- Three Hilltoppers were named to the Conference USA Preseason All-Conference team: Dayvion McKnight, Emmanuel Akot & Jamarion Sharp. The team was picked second in the league overall behind UAB.
- In the last week of October, senior center Jamarion Sharp was named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List. The award is given annual to the nation's top men's basketball center.
- 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. The average height of the Hilltopper roster is 6 feet, 5 and a half inches tall. WKU has seven players who are 6-foot-7 or taller.
- WKU returns 59% of its scoring, 70% of its rebounding, 65% of its assists, 51% of its steals and 84% of its blocking.
- Junior Dayvion McKnight 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.
- In the two exhibition games, Jairus Hamilton led WKU in scoring with 15.5 ppg.
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.
