Western Kentucky men’s basketball coach Hank Plona is focusing on defending against the long-range shooting of the Thundering Herd as his team prepares for a crucial road matchup against Marshall on Wednesday. The Hilltoppers enter the game with a record of 6-2, having won two consecutive games, including a thrilling 80-79 victory against Evansville last Saturday at E.A. Diddle Arena.
Plona has closely observed Marshall’s performance, noting, “When they’ve made 10 or more 3s, they’ve won every game.” He expressed that limiting the Herd’s 3-point scoring will be critical for the Hilltoppers’ success. In their recent game against Evansville, WKU struggled with perimeter defense, allowing the Purple Aces to rally with eight 3-pointers in the last 20 minutes of the game. “We can control that,” he stated, emphasizing the need to focus on addressing this weakness.
The Hilltoppers have a strong history against Marshall, winning the last eight encounters, including a 90-82 win last season during Plona’s inaugural year as head coach. However, both teams have undergone significant changes from last year. For Western Kentucky, only three current players saw action in the corresponding game, reflecting a lineup evolution.
In addition to the challenge posed by Marshall’s highly ranked shot blocker, 7-4 center Matt Van Komen, Plona noted that his team has been unable to maintain consistent leads in games this season. The Hilltoppers have seen fluctuations in performance levels, especially impacting their ability to finish strong, which has often resulted in close contests where they thrive.
The team has been without starting point guard Terrion Murdix, sidelined due to a knee injury. Despite this setback, Plona remains optimistic, stating that the players need to stay locked in and execute their game plan effectively. Murdix’s return is anticipated as early as January, hopefully bolstering the team’s performance.
Graduate guard Ryan Myers delivered a standout performance against Evansville, shooting 27 points and hitting seven 3-pointers, indicating a bright spot in the squad’s offensive capabilities. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore guard Kade Unseld, who has missed recent games due to knee soreness, is expected to return soon, which could further enhance the team’s depth and scoring options.
As the Hilltoppers prepare for the 6 p.m. clash at the Cam Henderson Center, they know that achieving a solid road win would be immensely beneficial. Coach Plona acknowledges the challenge that Marshall presents but believes that with a focused approach and strategic defense, his team can continue to improve and rise to the occasion. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.