PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — WKU Hilltopper Basketball will open play at Battle 4 Atlantis against #23/24 Vanderbilt on Wednesday, Nov. 26 inside Imperial Arena at 11 a.m. CT. The game will air nationally on ESPN.
GAME INFO
- #23/24 Vanderbilt (5-0) vs. WKU (4-0)
- Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 11:00 a.m. CT | Imperial Arena | Paradise Island, Bahamas
- Watch: ESPN (PxP: Dave O'Brien | Analyst: Jimmy Dykes)
- Listen: The Varsity Network (PxP: Randy Lee | Analyst: Hal Schmitt)
- Live Stats: StatBroadcast
- Social: @WKUBasketball | @WKUSports
- Game Notes: WKU | #23/24 Vanderbilt
ABOUT THE TOPS
- WKU improved to 4-0 on the season with a decisive 97-67 victory over Bethel (Tenn.), powered by a balanced offensive attack, strong outside shooting and a disruptive defense. Grant Newell led the way with 16 points, while Teagan Moore and Kade Unseld added 15 apiece, including a first-half surge from Unseld, who buried four straight 3-pointers. Four Hilltoppers finished in double figures as WKU knocked down a season-high 12 threes and 31 free throws, holding Bethel to 33.3% shooting and leading nearly wire to wire.
- WKU has been one of the most aggressive teams in the country at getting to the foul line, ranking fourth nationally with 34.0 free throw attempts per game, while sitting sixth in free throws made at 25.0 per contest. The Hilltoppers have attempted at least 28 free throws in every game, hitting 23 or more in three of four outings. Their 31-of-41 performance against Bethel marked the program's most free throws made and attempted in a game since going 36-of-45 in an 88-74 win over Tennessee State on Dec. 1, 2018.
- Defensively, WKU has been among the nation's most disruptive units, ranking 22nd nationally with 11.0 steals per game. The Hilltopper backcourt is anchored by freshman guard Armelo Boone and junior guard LJ Hackman, who both rank in the top five in Conference USA in total steals, with Boone tied for the league lead at 12 and Hackman fourth with 10.
- Through the first four games, WKU also stands among the national leaders in taking care of the ball, ranking 18th with just 9.0 turnovers per game and 11th in turnover margin at plus-7.2. The Hilltoppers have won the turnover battle in every contest, posting advantages of 19-11 against Tennessee Tech, 14-3 at Eastern Kentucky, 14-9 versus Tennessee State and 18-13 against Bethel.
- Moore has been a major catalyst in WKU's 4-0 start, averaging a team-best 18.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. He has scored at least 15 points in every outing and matched his career high with 22 points at Eastern Kentucky. WKU owns a plus-69 margin with him on the floor. Moore missed all of last season due to injury following a Conference USA All-Freshman Team campaign in 2023-24.
- Boone has earned Conference USA Freshman of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks, helping WKU to its 4-0 start with 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, four steals, three rebounds and an assist in 15 impactful minutes off the bench against Bethel. The Hilltoppers were plus-9 with him on the court. For the season, he is averaging 9.8 points on 43.6% shooting along with 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a CUSA-best 3.0 steals per game, totaling 12 steals and recording at least three steals in three of four contests. His four-steal performance in the season opener against Tennessee Tech made him the first WKU freshman with four or more steals in a collegiate debut.
- After missing the last two seasons due to injury, veteran guard Terrion Murdix has provided steady production with 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 22.0 minutes per game. He has converted 40.0% of his field goal attempts (10-of-25) and 77.8% at the line (14-of-18). WKU has outscored opponents by 72 points when he has been on the floor.
- Senior forward Grant Newell has been a consistent scoring option for the Hilltoppers, averaging 14.8 points on 48.6% shooting. He is 18-of-37 from the field, has connected on a team-high six 3-pointers and is 17-of-21 (81.0%) at the free-throw line.
QUOTABLE
- "Obviously, it's the next week for us, it's the next couple games, but obviously, it's the highlight to our nonconference schedule, going to Battle 4 Atlantis and being in an eight-team field with seven top 100 teams in the country. It's a heck of an opportunity for us to play some of the best teams and to see where we currently stack up. Obviously, spending the next five days getting prepared for Vanderbilt, but also trying to make sure we improve as a team and figure out how to be prepared for three games in three days. Looking forward to what's in front of us. I know the guys are and we'll go down there and see what we can do." — Mahurin Family Foundation Head Coach Hank Plona, ahead of Battle 4 Atlantis.
SERIES INFORMATION
- Wednesday will mark the 26th meeting between WKU and #23/24 Vanderbilt. It's the first matchup between the Hilltoppers and Commodores since 2010.
- Vanderbilt leads the all-time series, 14-11. WKU's last win in the series came on Dec. 1, 2009, when the Hilltoppers defeated the #24 Commodores, 76-69, inside the Sommett Center in Nashville, Tenn.
SCOUTING THE COMMODORES
- #23/24 Vanderbilt enters Wednesday's game with a perfect 5-0 overall record. The Commodores have scored in triple digits in four of their five games this season.
- Vanderbilt is led by Mark Byington, who is in his second year as the coach of the Commodores and 14th season overall as a head coach. He owns a 244-146 career record.
How to follow WKU Hilltopper Basketball: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Basketball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKUBasketball on Instagram and X.
