Post-Game: WKU 73 – UNC Willmington 58
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, WKU plays a good basketball game. And in this case, it was a very good basketball game. Also, finally, a baskeball post-game post!
Things are getting busy in the real world, so time on here will unfortunately be low until after the semester ends. I’m going to try a different approach with this post game, and instead of a “journalistic” and official feel, just talk about the tidbits and what I found interesting and what I liked/didn’t like. Let’s see how it goes.
T.J. Price finished the game in double figures for the 3rd time in 3 games this season, and for the 14th time in the past 15 games. No surprise there. Totally expected. What was a great sight, though, was to see George Fant lead all Toppers in scoring, following up a 17 point performance Saturday with a 16 point performance one tonight, and in the process, passed the 800 point plateau. Also, Caden Dickerson rounded out the double-figure Tops with 12 points, marking the first time since February of 2011, which is quite the mark for him. Hopefully, this will become a regular occurence. Plus, he dunked. And that was friggin’ sweet.
Brandon Harris was dressed and took part in the pregame warmups, but didn’t see any time on the floor, which is yes disapointing, but also a positive sign that he’s taking shootaround in game 3.
Peyton Hulsey started again at the point, making it two games in a row after Brandon Price started the opener in Wichita St. Hulsey looked incredibly comfortable out there tonight after looking shakey against ETSU, and I’m starting to think this is a sign that coach Harper is going to stick with Husley until Harris is healthy.
Tonight’s starting line up: T.J., George, Caden, Peyton, and Alex Rostov. Both Hulsey and Rostov, who were the only starters to not score double digits, finished with 9 ponits. So close, yet, so far.
My overall thought after tonight: If this is how WKU plays basketball this year, it’s going to be an eventful one. It was truly a team effort – 3 double digit scorers, and every Hilltopper who saw action on the floor scored 5 or more points with the two exceptions of Nigel Snipes and Brandon Price. The defense was stout – UNCW came into the game on a 3 game winning streak, and scoring at least 80 in each of those contests. Both of those streaks were snapped inside Diddle. As coach Harper said in his post game comments, he felt that every play was contested – whether it was a shot, a pass, a rebound – and he was (for the most part) right. The defense didn’t let up.
Up next, the Tops will host Samford to close out this short 3 game homestand.
How’d you feel about tonight’s win? Let us know in the comments, or as always, send a tweet in the direction of @WaveTheRedTowel on twitter.
Stand up and cheers. The Tops are above .500