BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU men's basketball is set to open the 2024-25 regular season hosting Wichita State on Monday, Nov. 4. at 7 p.m. CT in Diddle Arena. Head coach Hank Plona and the Hilltoppers return to the hardwood as defending CUSA tournament champions and coming off a 2023-24 campaign that saw the team earn its 44th conference title all-time and secure an automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Tournament for the 24th time in program history.
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Game Info
WKU (0-0) vs. Wichita State (0-0)
Monday, Nov. 4 | 7 p.m. CT
E.A. Diddle Arena | Bowling Green, Ky.
Watch: CBS Sports Network (PxP: Carter Blackburn, Analyst: Pete Gillen)
Listen: Hilltopper Sports Radio Network | 100.7-FM (WKLX)/Varsity Network (Randy Lee, Hal Schmitt)
Tickets: WKUTickets.com | 1-800-5-BIG RED
Game Notes:Â WKUÂ |Â WSU
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The Game at a Glance
The Tops' season opener against Wichita State will mark the first-ever matchup between the programs in Diddle Arena. WKU holds a 3-3 all-time series record when facing Wichita State with the teams previously facing off last season on Nov. 9 in Wichita, Kan. The Hilltoppers fell in the matchup, 71-61. Don McHenry led the Hilltoppers with 12 points, five rebounds and a pair of steals.
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A victory on Monday would give WKU a 4-3 edge in the all-time series with the Shockers and serve as Plona's first win as head coach for the Hilltoppers and at the NCAA Division I level.
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Series History vs. Wichita StateÂ
Overall: 3-3
H: 0-0 • A: 3-3 • N: 0-0
LAST 5
11/09/23         Wichita, Kan.                …L, 61-71
11/12/13         Wichita, Kan.                …L, 49-66
03/19/05         Wichita, Kan. (NIT)        …L, 81-84
02/01/58         Wichita, Kan.                   …W, 96-85
02/13/57         Wichita, Kan.                    …W, 82-76
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Top Tops
Senior guard Don McHenry and graduate forward Tyrone Marshall Jr. enter Monday's opener having been named as preseason All-Conference USA selections for 2024-25. McHenry finished as the Hilltoppers' leading scorer a season ago and earned All-CUSA First-Team honors for 2023-24, while Marshall ended the year receiving All-CUSA Honorable Mention.
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At the Game
Monday night will serve as Hilltopper Basketball's CUSA Championship celebration with 7000 fans receiving commemorative CUSA Championship red towels. The first 1000 fans will also receive an exclusive CUSA Championship poster, and the first 500 students will receive free pizza. Gates open for the pregame ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
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Televised Tops
The Hilltoppers' game against Wichita State will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network with Carter Blackburn and Pete Gillen on the call. Fans can tune in live and listen on 100.7-FM (WKLX) or The Varsity Network mobile app as Hal Schmitt and Randy Lee call the game on radio.
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For information on tickets for the 2024-25 season, visit wkusports.com/tickets or call the WKU Ticket Office at 1-800-5-BIGRED. Follow the team on social media (@wkubasketball) and visit wkusports.com for the latest news and updates on all things Hilltopper Basketball.
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