Western Kentucky Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Hilltoppers

By Brian Rauf | Oct 4, 2018

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Head coach Rick Stansbury of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers has a conversation with Lamonte Bearden #1 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the second quarter during their 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship semifinals game at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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DES MOINES, IA – MARCH 17: Jared Savage #2 of the Austin Peay Governors reacts after a foul is called in the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 17, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Key reserves

Jared Savage
Savage should start during Bearden’s suspension and may still have a place in the starting lineup afterward, but right now, we project him to be a great sixth man. The Austin Peay transfer averaged 10.3 ppg as a sophomore two years ago (sat out last season) and will provide shooting, as he averaged two made three-pointers a game. The coaching staff is very high on his abilities.

Matt Horton
The 6-11 JUCO transfer will be the third big in WKU’s rotation behind Murray and Bassey, providing size and strength on the block. His biggest contribution will come on the glass.

Jake Ohmer
Ohmer was a reliable bench player a year ago and will be used in a similar role this year. He’ll give the Hilltoppers a needed shooter on the perimeter.

Marek Nelson
Nelson wasn’t used as much as Ohmer during his freshman season, only 9.2 minutes per game, but his 6-7 frame provided the Hilltoppers with some length on the perimeter. He’ll be used in the same role and be expected to contribute on both ends.

Tolu Smith
Smith, another freshman big man, has been one of the biggest (pleasant) surprises of practice so far, and the 6-10, 240-pounder from Mississippi should be able to contribute immediately when he recovers from a foot injury. However, it’s his potential that has the coaching staff excited – Rick Stansbury thinks Smith can be a future star.

Dalano Banton
Banton won’t be anything more than a rotation player but, as a 6-8 guard, he has the potential to be a matchup nightmare and great perimeter defender with his length. He just needs to get stronger.

Moustapha Diagne
Diagne was used minimally last year – he averaged six minutes in 20 appearances – but has size at 6-9 and 230 pounds that will get him on the court whenever any of the previous four big men get into foul trouble.

Jeremiah Gambrell
Gambrell is dealing with a foot injury that will keep him out for several months – he likely won’t return until Conference USA play is well underway – but he’ll have a role as a shooter off the bench when he does return.