WKU playing better but U of L a huge challenge
After a slow start, Western Kentucky University is playing better basketball but will that be enough against the University of Louisville?
WKU (5-4) will take on No. 4 UofL (9-0) on Saturday at noon pm. EST. The Cardinals will be the highest ranked team to visit Diddle Arena since No.2 Georgetown came to Bowling Green on Dec. 4, 1982. (The Hilltoppers lost that game 70-66 in overtime.).
"That's a huge challenge for anybody," WKU coach Ray Harper said of facing the Cardinals. "Louisville is one of those teams that has a chance to win a national championship."
The Hilltoppers have won four of five – with that one loss at Ohio Valley Conference favorite Murray State. They picked their biggest regular-season road victory under Harper when they rallied from 17 down to upset Mississippi 81-74 last weekend.
There are two reasons for the improved play. First, WKU has limited their turnovers. It has 17 total turnovers over the past two games in victories over Ole Miss and Chicago State. In the previous seven games, the Hilltoppers were averaging 16.7 turnovers.
Limiting turnovers will be key against UofL which is fourth in the nation in steals (11.1 per game) and first in the Pomeroy defensive efficiency ratings.
"That team is relentless," Harper said. "They come from everywhere and they never give up on the basketball. They chase you down from behind and they're long and athletic."
The second reason behind WKU's turnaround is the resurgence of senior forward George Fant. In the first four games, Fant averaged 6 points, 5.5 rebounds and was 11 of 26 from the field (42.3 percent). WKU was 1-3. Since then, he's averaging 15.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and is shooting 28 of 51 (54.9 percent).
"I got my game going," Fant said. "I've been pushing forward ever since. It wasn't an injury. It was just a slow start."
Harper attributes Fant's struggles to being too bulked up. He said the 6-foot-6 Fant added about 5 to 10 pounds of muscle in the off-season. Harper said Fant has been much more effective after losing some weight. The preseason All-Conference USA forward entered this season officially listed at 250 pounds.
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"He just didn't have the lift and explosion that he normally does," Harper said. "Not having him close to his best was tough. It's good to see him back to his old self."
WKU will need Fant to be strong on the boards. UofL is seventh in Division I in rebounding margin at plus-11.2. On Wednesday, the Hilltoppers were out-rebounded 34 to 27 by Chicago State and gave up 16 offensive boards.
The game has already been announced as a sellout - the first at Diddle Arena since last December against Mississippi. Harper said he wants the kind of raucous crowd that he saw earlier this week while watching Wichita State rally late to beat Alabama 53-52.
"The Wichita State crowd willed that team to a victory," Harper said. "A good home atmosphere will do that for teams."
WKU has lost the past five matchups against the Cardinals. The Hilltoppers lead the all-time series 39-38.
Contact Michael Grant at (502) 582-4069, and on Twitter @MichaelGrant_CJ