WKU hoops roster filled with newcomers

The 2024-25 mens basketball season was a disappointment, as the injury-riddled Hilltoppers struggled to a 17-15 overall record and an 8-10 worksheet in Conference USA putting them in seventh place.WKU ended the season in particularly embarrassing fashion getting routed at home by Liberty 90-61 in the regular-season finale, before dropping a 64-61 decision to lowly Florida International in the first round of the CUSA Tournament in Huntsville, Alabama.This is, of course, totally unacceptable for a program that ranks third all time behind Kansas and Kentucky in conference championships on the hardwood.The previous year, Steve Lutz in his lone season on the Hill led WKU to its first CUSA Tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013; but the Hilltoppers, under first-year coach Hank Plona, simply couldnt build on the momentum.On Wednesday, inside historic E.A.

Diddle Arena, area media members got their first real glimpse at Westerns 2025-26 contingent and, in turn, got a hint of whats in store for the program this coming season.This is a fresh start for us, Plona said.

Weve been at it about five-and-a-half weeks and weve got a group that is playing with a lot of energy, focus and intensity weve got players working with the right attitude.Weve got 14 on the floor right now, and we should have all 16 ready to go by the time we come back in the fall.

It helps to be healthy knock on wood because it allows you to improve quicker and to play different ways at both ends of the floor.Already, were growing as a team, building this thing together.

Its just a matter of finding our way, finding out everyones role within the scope of the team, and getting better in practice every time we step on the court.Few players with Hilltopper experience return.WKU lost senior guards Jalen Jackson and Khristian Lander to graduation, and seven players, including leading scorer Don McHenry (Utah) his tyhe transfer portal.

Others were guard Braxton Bayless (Arkansas-Little Rock), forward Fallou Diagne (Southern Miss), forward Tyrone Marshall (George Washington), forward Babacar Faye (Utah), guard Enoch Kalambay (Campbell), and guard Julius Thedford (Memphis).Thats a lot of production out the door make no mistake, this is a complete reboot for Western.Those back who saw action for WKU last season include senor center Leeroy Odiahi, senior forward Blaise Keita, and junior walk-on Jack Edelen.

Three others in the program sophomore forward Teagan Moore (who had a solid freshman season in 2023-24), senior guard Terrion Murdix, and freshman forward Kade Unseld sat out the entire season with injuries.New signees include guard LJ Hackman (Jones College transfer), forward Louie Semona (Stonehill transfer), guard Cam Haffner (Evansville transfer), guard Armelo Boone (Woodford County High School), guard Lawson Rice (Butler County High School), forward Bryant Selebangue (McNeese State transfer), guard Ryan Myers (Western Illinois transfer), center Noah Boyde (LSU transfer), and forward Grant Newell (North Texas transfer).Also new to the team is walk-on guard Cade Stinnett, a junior transfer from Centre College.Overall, were bigger and stronger than weve been and this should really help us.

Plona said.

We also have more depth and potentially will have more guys who can step up and lead us in scoring.

We have three or four guards who have scored 12 to 14 points per game at the D1 level.Right now, our defense is ahead of the offense, but I look for the offense to gain ground when we come back when school starts.

We need to be a more efficient offensive team this season, and this will certainly be a point of emphasis moving forward.We have a chance to grow into something special..

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