Western Kentucky Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Hilltoppers
By Brian Rauf
Projected starters
Lamonte Bearden
Bearden has been ruled ineligible for the first semester, meaning he’ll miss most of Western Kentucky’s non-conference schedule. However, there’s no question about his place in the starting lineup when he’s eligible. The Buffalo transfer’s quickness allows him to attack the rim whenever he wants and makes him a potent scorer – he scored in double figure in 26 games last year.
Taveion Hollingsworth
As good as Bearden is, Hollingsworth may have been the most impressive newcomer for the Hilltoppers last year. The rising sophomore is WKU’s leading returning scorer (13.3 ppg) and showed the ability to fill it up from all three levels. His ability to score efficiently will be a key for this talented backcourt.
Josh Anderson
Anderson provides the perfect wing for this group. At 6-6 wing, his versatility is extremely useful, especially on the defensive end. He’s a non-shooter (he only shot seven three-pointers all of last season) yet still showed the ability to contribute offensively, averaging nearly eight points per game last year. Still, he’s this team’s perimeter defensive stopper.
Desean Murray
Murray was the starting power forward at Auburn last year but opted to move to Western Kentucky as a grad transfer. The man nicknamed “Little Charles Barkley” plays with incredible toughness and averaged 10.1 points and 6.7 rebounds in nearly 24 minutes per game last year. He’ll provide experience and an edge to this team.
Charles Bassey
No player will mean as much to this Western Kentucky team as Bassey, who was a five-star recruit and is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 6-10, 220-pounder is very athletic and plays with a strong face-up game. He has good touch and has range out to the three-point line but is much better facing up and attacking the basket. Bassey’s size, with his athleticism, also allows him to alter shots on the defensive end. Simply put, there are very few big men in the country – let alone in Conference USA – who will be able to match up with him.