GAME INFO
- WKU (18-12, 11-8 CUSA) at FIU (14-16, 7-12 CUSA)
- Saturday, March 7 | 1 p.m. CT | Ocean Bank Convocation Center | Miami, Fla.Â
- Watch:Â ESPN+Â (PxP: Corey Brooks | Analyst: Patrick Murray | Sideline: Natalie Witten)
- Listen: The Varsity Network (PxP: Randy Lee | Analyst: Hal Schmitt)
- Live Stats: StatBroadcast
- Social: @WKUBasketball | @WKUSports
- Game Notes: WKU | FIU
ABOUT THEÂ TOPS
- WKU Hilltopper Basketball came up short Thursday night, falling 87-74 to Missouri State at Great Southern Bank Arena. Despite a fast start and early double-digit lead, the Hilltoppers couldn't hold off the Bears' second-half surge, dropping to 18-12 overall and 11-8 in Conference USA play. Teagan Moore led all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, marking his sixth straight 20-point performance since returning from injury, while Grant Newell added 13 points and six rebounds.
- Depth has been a major strength for WKU this season as the Hilltoppers are averaging 32.2 bench points per game to rank first in CUSA and top-15 nationally. The WKU reserves have delivered a consistent scoring spark, topping 40 bench points five times, highlighted by 56 against Bethel, 54 against Evansville and 46 in both the Tennessee Tech and Campbellsville contests. The Hilltoppers have posted over 30 bench points in 11 of their last 16 outings, including seven of the last 10 games.
- Through 30 games, WKU has established itself as one of the nation's premier free throw teams, ranking 11th nationally with 19.4 makes on 25.5 attempts per game. The Hilltoppers have earned at least 21 attempts in 26 contests, including seven games with 30 or more against Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee, Delaware, New Mexico State and Missouri State, plus a season-high 41 attempts against Bethel (Tenn.). WKU's free throw percentage has skyrocketed over the last four games as the Hilltoppers have shot 80.8% (143-of-177) at the line, highlighted by a season-best 95.7% (22-of-23) effort against league-leading Liberty on Feb. 21.
- Redshirt sophomore guard Teagan Moore has emerged as WKU's go-to offensive option, pacing the Hilltoppers with 18.9 points per game to go along with 5.6 rebounds. He has reached double figures in 22 of 25 appearances this season, scoring at least 15 points 21 times and posting 12 20-point outings. The Dry Ridge, Kentucky, native is putting together an efficient all-around shooting campaign, converting 53.3% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 80.1% at the free throw line. Those numbers place him among the league's elite, ranking second in CUSA in scoring (18.9 ppg), third in field goal percentage (53.3%) and eighth in free throw percentage (80.1%). Since returning from a five-game absence due to a head injury, Moore has delivered six straight standout performances, averaging 24.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He was named CUSA Player of the Week for the second straight week on March 2 after WKU defeated New Mexico State on Feb. 26 and UTEP on Feb. 28,  averaging 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.5 steals per game, shooting nearly 70% from the field (16-of-23), 50% from long distance (2-of-4) and 68.4% from the foul line (13-of-19) during the perfect 2-0 week.
- Senior forward Grant Newell has provided a reliable scoring punch in his first season on The Hill, averaging a career-high 12.7 points and 4.6 rebounds across 30 games. He has scored in double figures 22 times, highlighted by five outings with 20 points or more. The Chicago, Illinois, native has been playing his best basketball as of late, averaging 18.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in the last seven games. He scored 23 points against FIU, 20 against Middle Tennessee, 21 at Liberty, 18 against New Mexico State, 25 against UTEP and 13 at Missouri State. He has been highly efficient, shooting 52.4% (43-of-82) from the field, 46.2% (18-of-39) from 3-point range and 78.6% (22-of-28) from the free throw line.
- Junior guard LJ Hackman has emerged as a reliable scoring option for WKU, averaging 12.6 points over the last eight games. During that stretch, he is shooting an efficient 47.1% (32-of-68)Â from the field and 84.2% (32-of-38) from the free throw line. The Columbus, Mississippi, native recorded his first Division I double-double in the Feb. 26 win over New Mexico State, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He followed that performance with a Division I career-high 21 points against UTEP on Feb. 28.
- Freshman guard Armelo Boone has emerged as one of the league's top newcomers, tying for a conference-best four CUSA Freshman of the Week honors while averaging 10.8 points, a team-best 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. The Lexington, Kentucky, native has recorded three double-doubles this season — 16 points and 12 boards against Tulsa, 16 points and 13 rebounds at Sam Houston and 13 points and 13 rebounds against Liberty — to become the first WKU freshman with multiple double-doubles in a season since Charles Bassey in 2018-19.
- Graduate guard Terrion Murdix has made a strong impact in his first season back on the floor, averaging 5.9 points, a team-high 4.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals after missing the last two years with leg injuries. In conference play, he leads the league in steals per game (2.1 spg), recording at least one steal in 20 of 22 games played. He recorded a season-high nine assists in the Feb. 28 win over UTEP.Â
SERIES INFORMATION
- Saturday's matchup will be the 57th all-time meeting between WKU and FIU. The programs have met at least once every season since 1999 as conference opponents, with the lone exception of the 2014 campaign.
- WKU leads the all-time series 42-14, including a 15-9 record against the Panthers in Miami, Florida. The Hilltoppers won the first meeting earlier this season on Feb. 7 80-70 in Bowling Green.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
- FIU enters Saturday's game with a 14-16 overall record and a 7-12 mark in Conference USA play. The Panthers are coming off an 73-67 loss at home against Middle Tennessee on Thursday night in Miami, Florida.
- FIU is led by head coach Jeremy Ballard, who is in his eighth season. He owns a 112-140 career record with the Panthers.
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.Â
