GAME INFO
- South Florida (3-3) vs. WKU (4-1)
- Thursday, Nov. 27 | 4:30 p.m. CT | Imperial Arena | Paradise Island, Bahamas
- Watch: ESPN2 (PxP: Kevin Brown | Analyst: Corey Alexander)
- Listen: The Varsity Network (PxP: Randy Lee | Analyst: Hal Schmitt)
- Live Stats: StatBroadcast
- Social: @WKUBasketball | @WKUSports
- Game Notes: WKU | South Florida
ABOUT THE TOPS
- WKU dropped to 4-1 on the season after going toe-to-toe with #23/24 Vanderbilt in its Battle 4 Atlantis opener, leading early and clawing back from a second-half double-digit deficit before ultimately falling 83-78 behind a career-high 24 points from Teagan Moore and strong supporting efforts from Cam Haffner and Armelo Boone.
- Heading into Battle 4 Atlantis, WKU has been one of the most aggressive teams in the country at getting to the foul line, tying for third nationally with 34.0 free throw attempts per game and 25.0 free throws made per game. The Hilltoppers have attempted at least 28 free throws in every game, hitting 23 or more in four of five 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 ranked in the top five in Conference USA in total steals before Battle 4 Atlantis, 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. Before Battle 4 Atlantis, the Hilltoppers had won the turnover battle in all four games, 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 4-1 start, averaging a team-best 19.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He has scored at least 15 points in every outing and posted a career-high 24 points against #23/24 Vanderbilt in the opening game of Battle 4 Atlantis. WKU owns a plus-71 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.
- Ahead of Battle 4 Atlantis, Boone earned Conference USA Freshman of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks, helping WKU to a 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 11.0 points on 42.0% shooting along with 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.4 steals per game, totaling 12 steals and recording at least three steals in three of five 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 8.8 points, 4.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 22.4 minutes per game. He has converted 43.3% of his field goal attempts (13-of-30) and 81.8% at the line (18-of-22). WKU has outscored opponents by 70 points when he has been on the floor.
- Senior forward Grant Newell has been a consistent scoring option for the Hilltoppers, averaging 11.8 points on 46.2% shooting. He is 18-of-39 from the field and is 17-of-21 (81.0%) at the free-throw line.
QUOTABLE
- "There's a lot of things, basketball-wise, we need to improve on. We'll work here for 24-26 hours to do that tomorrow and be prepared to do our best to get a win tomorrow." — Mahurin Family Foundation Head Coach Hank Plona, ahead of tomorrow's game against South Florida.
SERIES INFORMATION
- Thursday will mark the 21st meeting between WKU and South Florida. It's the first matchup between the Hilltoppers and Bulls since 1991.
- WKU leads the all-time series, 12-8. Four of the last five games between the teams were decided by two points or less. The Hilltoppers won the last meeting, 72-71, on Feb. 18, 1991 inside Diddle Arena in Bowling Green.
SCOUTING THE BULLS
- South Florida enters Thursday's game with a 3-3 overall record. The Bulls dropped their opening game of Battle 4 Atlantis to VCU by a score of 78-66.
- South Florida is led by Bryan Hogdson, who is in his first year as the coach of the Bulls and third season overall as a head coach. He owns a 48-31 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.
