It’s a tilt between programs from Conference USA on the hardwood down in the Sunshine State. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are on the road as they make the trip down the east coast to take on the FIU Panthers Thursday night. Western Kentucky was beaten 75-71 at home by Charlotte in their previous game Saturday, losing outright as a three-point favorite. FIU beat UTSA 77-72 on the road in their most recent game Saturday, covering the line as a 4.5-point favorite in the contest. In the all-time series between the programs, Western Kentucky owns a commanding 39-10 edge, including a 70-59 home win in the first meeting this season back on January 14.
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Western Kentucky dropped their third straight game as they were beaten at home by Charlotte in their previous contest Saturday. The Hilltoppers dropped to 11-9 overall and stand tied for ninth in the conference with a 3-6 record this season. Against Charlotte, Western Kentucky trailed by as many as 11 in the first half and by eight at intermission. In the second half, the Hilltoppers never got even, only getting within two at 73-71 with 38 seconds remaining, en route to the loss. Western Kentucky shot 41.4% from the field, including seven of 25 from three-point range, and allowed Charlotte to shoot a blistering 55.8% from the floor in the game. Jordan Rawls led the Hilltoppers with 25 points off the bench in the loss.
On the season, the Hilltoppers are averaging 73.4 points per game to date, putting them 148th in the nation in scoring offense. Western Kentucky pulls down an average of 34. 2 rebounds per contest this season while they dish out 14.2 assists a night. The Hilltoppers have been average on the defensive end of the floor as they allow an average of 69.2 points a game, putting them 178th in the country in scoring defense. Emmanuel Akot is second on the team in scoring as he puts up 10.6 points and 2.5 assists per game this season. Luke Frampton (9.5 points), Dayvion McKnight (17 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists) and Jairus Hamilton (10.5 points, 5.6 rebounds) are good scoring options. Dontaie Allen, Fallou Diagne, Janarion Sharp, Jordan Rawls, Khristian Lander and Tyrone Marshall have contributed to a deep rotation for the Hilltoppers. Western Kentucky is shooting 45.1% from the field as a team on the season. The Hilltoppers are connecting on an average of 8.4 three-pointers a night while shooting a solid 38% from beyond the arc as a team, which is 28th in the nation. Western Kentucky has been average at the charity stripe as they cash in 71.5% of their attempts on the year.