JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Hilltopper Basketball continues its road trip this weekend and travels to face Jacksonville State on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. CT. WKU enters the game standing at 16-7 overall and 5-4 in Conference USA league play.
Game Info
WKU (16-7, 5-4) vs. Jax State (12-12, 4-5)
Saturday, Feb. 10 | 4 p.m. CT
Pete Mathews Coliseum | Jacksonville, Ala.
Game Links: ESPN+ | 100.7-FM (WKLX)/Varsity Network | Live Stats
Series History
Saturday will mark the fifth all-time meeting between WKU and Jax State. The Hilltoppers are 4-0 in the series dating back to 1939. WKU previously defeated the Gamecocks, 80-69, at home this season on Jan. 13.
Overall: 4-0, WKU
Series began: March 4, 1939
H: 4-0 • A: 0-0 • N: 0-0
03/04/39 Bowling Green, Ky. W, 56-43
11/27/78 Bowling Green, Ky. W, 71-59
11/16/16 Bowling Green, Ky. W, 74-67
01/13/24 Bowling Green, Ky. W, 80-69
The Game at a Glance
Hilltopper Basketball (16-7, 5-4) travels to Jacksonville, Ala. on Saturday for a matchup with CUSA newcomer Jax State slated for 4 p.m. CT. The Tops enter the game coming off two consecutive wins over conference leader Louisiana Tech on Thursday night and rival Middle Tennessee last Saturday.
Saturday's game against the Gamecocks will feature two of the conference's top-three scorers in Don McHenry and KyKy Tandy. McHenry is currently the third-leading scorer in CUSA averaging 15.6 points per game, while JSU's Tandy leads the league in scoring with 18.6 points per game. Both McHenry and Tandy also chart top-five numbers in the league for field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage.
The Gamecocks enter Saturday coming off a 79-68 win over Sam Houston at home on Thursday. Jax State head coach Ray Harper served as head coach for the Hilltoppers for four seasons from 2012-16, accumulating a 71-48 overall record (.597%). While at WKU, Harper helped lead the Tops to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012 and 2013.
Where The Tops Stack Up
WKU currently holds a 5-4 mark in the CUSA standings and a 16-7 overall record. The Tops boast the top-scoring offense in the conference (80.7 PPG) and chart 42nd in the nation in scoring. WKU has totaled 80 or more points in 12 games this season, and 90 or more points in five games.
The Hilltoppers rank first in the nation in adjusted tempo, currently averaging 75.2 possessions per 40 minutes. The Tops chart as the top rebounding team in CUSA and rank 26th nationally in rebounds with 40.04 per game. WKU is 33rd in the nation in three-point percentage defense, limiting teams to a 30.3% mark from range. WKU charts 50th in the nation in turnovers forced per game (14.30/G) and 34th in the nation in bench points per game (27.65).
In addition to McHenry leading the team in points and charting as the CUSA's third-leading scorer, the junior guard from Milwaukee is also leading the team in assists (63 total) and ranks 10th in CUSA with 2.7 per contest. McHenry currently holds the third-best field-goal percentage in CUSA with a .463% mark from the field and is connecting on .846% (66-of-78) of attempts at the charity stripe, good for fourth best in CUSA.
Starting all 23 outings for the Hilltoppers in 2023-24, McHenry leads the team in average minutes with over 27 minutes per contest. McHenry has notched 21 steals on the year, good for third best on the team.
Tyrone Marshall Jr. ranks fifth in the conference in blocks (27) and seventh in steals (36). Brandon Newman is currently the sixth-leading rebounder in CUSA with 137 total for the year and 6.0 per game.
Televised Tops
The Hilltoppers' game against Jax State will stream live on ESPN+ with Kevin Brown and Mickie Shadrix 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.
Social Tops
Follow the team on social media (@wkubasketball) for the latest news and updates on all things Hilltopper Basketball. Visit wkusports.com for more information.
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