College Basketball · CUSA · 2026-27
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
2-0 · Coach Hank Plona
Power Rankings
#125▲5
Who is best right now.
+5.0points per 100 possessions vs an average D-I team
Last week: +3.7 (#130)
Preseason: #130
Full Power Rankings → Compare to another teamRating breakdown
Adjusted for every opponent and home court. Power = offense minus defense.
Projected record
22-10
- Conference record
- 13-5
- Conference title
- 58%
- Outright title
- 43%
- Luck
- +0.0
Actual results so far plus the rest of the seasonplayed out 10,000 times with the win chance for each game (non-Division I opponents count as 97% wins). The title is the regular-season crown; conference tournaments aren't included. Later rounds of holiday tournaments are added once the opponent is known.
Why #130 in the preseason
What the computer saw going in
- →Last season: #154 in the country (+0.9), 18-14.
- →38% of last season's minutes are back.
- →4 transfers in, led by Emondrek Erkins-Ford (Jacksonville State, 8.3 ppg), Noah Norgaard (UNC Greensboro, 7.7 ppg), Sharron Young (Akron, 7.2 ppg). Transfers moving up a level are counted cautiously.
- →1 ranked freshman: Gabe Weis (#240).
- →Lost Grant Newell (13 ppg), Terrion Murdix (5.6 ppg), Ryan Myers (11 ppg).
The preseason rating counts for about five games, then real results take over.
Teams like Western Kentucky
The closest matches across all 365 Division I teams, based on the current ratings.
This season
Everyone who has played, most minutes first: per-game numbers from the box scores, updated after every game.
| Player | G · GS | Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armelo BooneG · Sophomore · #1107 ranked | 2 · 2 | 27.0 | 9.0 | 5.5 | 4.0 | 35.0 (7-20) | 40.0 (2-5) | 100.0 (2-2) |
| Sharron YoungG · Junior · #701 ranked | 2 · 1 | 25.5 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 5.5 | 33.3 (6-18) | 40.0 (4-10) | — (0-0) |
| Teagan MooreG · Junior · #99 ranked | 2 · 2 | 21.5 | 21.5 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 56.7 (17-30) | 25.0 (2-8) | 87.5 (7-8) |
| EJ WalkerF · Sophomore · #2107 ranked | 2 · 2 | 21.5 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 33.3 (4-12) | 33.3 (2-6) | 66.7 (2-3) |
| LJ HackmanG · Senior · #1071 ranked | 2 · 1 | 20.0 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 14.3 (2-14) | 20.0 (1-5) | 100.0 (4-4) |
| Trevion LaBeauxG · Senior | 2 · 0 | 17.5 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 10.0 (1-10) | — (0-0) | — (0-0) |
| Moussa KonareF · Sophomore | 2 · 0 | 17.0 | 8.0 | 6.5 | 0.5 | 70.0 (7-10) | — (0-0) | 50.0 (2-4) |
| Emondrek Erkins-FordF · Senior · #1152 ranked | 2 · 2 | 16.0 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 62.5 (5-8) | 100.0 (1-1) | 50.0 (1-2) |
| Gabe WeisF · Freshman · #2896 ranked | 2 · 0 | 15.5 | 12.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 57.1 (8-14) | 44.4 (4-9) | 83.3 (5-6) |
| Noah NorgaardG · Sophomore · #3085 ranked | 1 · 0 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 16.7 (1-6) | 16.7 (1-6) | — (0-0) |
| Lawson RiceG · Freshman | 2 · 0 | 6.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 100.0 (1-1) | 100.0 (1-1) | — (0-0) |
| Joseph AdebayoF · Freshman | 2 · 0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 100.0 (3-3) | — (0-0) | — (0-0) |
| Gavin MurphyG · Freshman | 1 · 0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — (0-0) | — (0-0) | — (0-0) |
Projected rotation
The preseason model's minutes projection for each player with a track record (college stats or a recruiting rank), most minutes first. Players without one aren't projected here; This season above lists everyone who has played.
| Player | How he got here | Proj. min | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teagan MooreG · Junior |  Returning | 27 | 18.7 pts · 5.6 reb · 2 ast |
| Armelo BooneG · Sophomore | Returning | 22 | 10.9 pts · 6.1 reb · 2 ast |
| LJ HackmanG · Senior | Returning | 22 | 8.5 pts · 2.9 reb · 1.6 ast |
| Sharron YoungG · Junior |  Transfer from Akron | 22 | 7.2 pts · 2.6 reb · 1.6 ast |
| Emondrek Erkins-FordF · Senior |  Transfer from Jacksonville State | 19 | 8.3 pts · 3.8 reb · 1 ast |
| Noah NorgaardG · Sophomore |  Transfer from UNC Greensboro | 17 | 7.7 pts · 2.1 reb · 1.5 ast |
| EJ WalkerF · Sophomore |  Transfer from South Carolina | 16 | 2.9 pts · 2.7 reb · 0.4 ast |
| Kade UnseldG · Sophomore | Returning | 11 | 3.4 pts · 1.7 reb · 0.4 ast |
| Gabe WeisF · Freshman | Freshman · #240 recruit | 8 | — |
Gone from last season: Grant Newell (13 ppg), Terrion Murdix (5.6 ppg), Ryan Myers (11 ppg), Bryant Selebangue (7.2 ppg), Blaise Keita (2.5 ppg), Cam Haffner (4.3 ppg, to 
Oral Roberts)
Roster
Everyone on this season's roster, with this season's numbers for anyone who has played. Names link to player pages, ranked players first.
| # | Player | How he got here | Pos | Class | Ht / Wt | Hometown | This season | Last season | Rank · Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Teagan Moore | Returning | G | Junior | 6-6 · 220 | Dry Ridge, KY | 21.5 pts · 3.0 reb · 2.0 ast (2 G) | 18.7 pts · 5.6 reb · 2.0 ast (27 G) | #99 · +1.84 |
| 3 | Sharron Young | Transfer from Akron | G | Junior | 6-0 · 165 | Morgantown, WV | 8.0 pts · 3.0 reb · 5.5 ast (2 G) | 7.2 pts · 2.6 reb · 1.6 ast (34 G) | #701 · +0.65 |
| 2 | LJ Hackman | Returning | G | Senior | 6-3 · 205 | Columbus, MS | 4.5 pts · 3.0 reb · 2.0 ast (2 G) | 8.5 pts · 2.9 reb · 1.6 ast (32 G) | #1071 · +0.33 |
| 12 | Armelo Boone | Returning | G | Sophomore | 6-5 · 190 | Lexington, KY | 9.0 pts · 5.5 reb · 4.0 ast (2 G) | 10.9 pts · 6.1 reb · 2.0 ast (29 G) | #1107 · +0.31 |
| 13 | Emondrek Erkins-Ford | Transfer from Jacksonville State | F | Senior | 6-9 · 220 | Chicago, IL | 6.0 pts · 3.5 reb · 2.0 ast (2 G) | 8.3 pts · 3.8 reb · 1.0 ast (32 G) | #1152 · +0.28 |
| 6 | EJ Walker | Transfer from South Carolina | F | Sophomore | 6-8 · 235 | Erlanger, KY | 6.0 pts · 5.0 reb · 0.0 ast (2 G) | 2.9 pts · 2.7 reb · 0.4 ast (22 G) | #2107 · -0.16 |
| 4 | Kade Unseld | Returning | G | Sophomore | 6-5 · 200 | Bowling Green, KY | Hasn't played | 3.4 pts · 1.7 reb · 0.4 ast (22 G) | #2600 · -0.34 |
| 11 | Gabe Weis | Freshman | F | Freshman | 6-7 · 215 | Springfield, KY | 12.5 pts · 2.5 reb · 1.0 ast (2 G) | — | #2896 · -0.45 |
| 5 | Noah Norgaard | Transfer from UNC Greensboro | G | Sophomore | 6-2 · 195 | Copenhagen, Denmark | 3.0 pts · 2.0 reb · 0.0 ast (1 G) | 7.7 pts · 2.1 reb · 1.5 ast (34 G) | #3085 · -0.53 |
| 1 | Gavin Murphy | Freshman | G | Freshman | 5-11 · 160 | Nicholasville, KY | 0.0 pts · 0.0 reb · 0.0 ast (1 G) | — | Not ranked yet |
| 35 | Joseph Adebayo | Freshman | F | Freshman | 6-10 · 230 | Kotor Varos, Nigeria | 3.0 pts · 1.5 reb · 0.5 ast (2 G) | — | Not ranked yet |
| 24 | Lawson Rice | Returning | G | Freshman | 6-6 · 200 | Morgantown, KY | 1.5 pts · 1.0 reb · 0.5 ast (2 G) | — | Not ranked yet |
| 32 | Moussa Konare | New to Division I | F | Sophomore | 6-10 · 220 | Bamako, Mali | 8.0 pts · 6.5 reb · 0.5 ast (2 G) | — | Not ranked yet |
| 23 | Trevion LaBeaux |  Transfer from East Carolina | G | Senior | 6-5 · 210 | Waterloo, IA | 1.0 pts · 3.5 reb · 0.0 ast (2 G) | — | Not ranked yet |
Schedule
Projected scores and win chances come from the current ratings and update every morning.
| Nov 2 |  vsMorehead State | W83-58Box score → |
| Nov 5 | vsKentucky Wesleyan(non-D1) | W82-48Box score → |
| Still to play · computer projections | ||
| Nov 8 |  atTennessee Tech | Projected 82-75WKU: 71% to winWestern Kentucky: 71% to win Compare |
| Nov 11 | vsCampbellsville(non-D1) | Upcoming |
| Nov 16 |  atTulsa | Projected 74-82WKU: 24% to winWestern Kentucky: 24% to win Compare |
| Nov 20 |  vs (N)RichmondGreenbrier Tip-Off | Projected 78-79WKU: 46% to winWestern Kentucky: 46% to win Compare |
| Nov 22 |  vs (N)George WashingtonGreenbrier Tip-Off | Projected 72-79WKU: 27% to winWestern Kentucky: 27% to win Compare |
| Nov 27 |  at#4Illinois | Projected 67-91WKU: 2% to winWestern Kentucky: 2% to win Compare |
| Dec 1 |  vsBelmont | Projected 77-75WKU: 55% to winWestern Kentucky: 55% to win Compare |
| Dec 5 |  atEvansville | Projected 79-69WKU: 80% to winWestern Kentucky: 80% to win Compare |
| Dec 12 |  vsUAB | Projected 81-72WKU: 77% to winWestern Kentucky: 77% to win Compare |
| Dec 16 |  vsLipscomb | Projected 82-71WKU: 82% to winWestern Kentucky: 82% to win Compare |
| Dec 22 |  vs (N)Tulane | Projected 82-74WKU: 76% to winWestern Kentucky: 76% to win Compare |
| Dec 28 | vsBethel (TN)(non-D1) | Upcoming |
| Dec 31 |  atKennesaw StateConference | Projected 76-77WKU: 47% to winWestern Kentucky: 47% to win Compare |
| Jan 2 | atJacksonville StateConference | Projected 74-71WKU: 63% to winWestern Kentucky: 63% to win Compare |
| Jan 7 |  vsNew Mexico StateConference | Projected 81-73WKU: 76% to winWestern Kentucky: 76% to win Compare |
| Jan 9 |  vsSam HoustonConference | Projected 81-74WKU: 75% to winWestern Kentucky: 75% to win Compare |
| Jan 14 |  atDelawareConference | Projected 75-70WKU: 67% to winWestern Kentucky: 67% to win Compare |
| Jan 16 |  atLibertyConference | Projected 74-72WKU: 57% to winWestern Kentucky: 57% to win Compare |
| Jan 21 |  vsMissouri StateConference | Projected 82-66WKU: 91% to winWestern Kentucky: 91% to win Compare |
| Jan 23 |  vsFlorida InternationalConference | Projected 83-74WKU: 79% to winWestern Kentucky: 79% to win Compare |
| Jan 30 |  vsMiddle TennesseeConference | Projected 79-68WKU: 83% to winWestern Kentucky: 83% to win Compare |
| Feb 4 | atSam HoustonConference | Projected 78-77WKU: 54% to winWestern Kentucky: 54% to win Compare |
| Feb 6 | atNew Mexico StateConference | Projected 78-76WKU: 57% to winWestern Kentucky: 57% to win Compare |
| Feb 11 | vsLibertyConference | Projected 77-69WKU: 77% to winWestern Kentucky: 77% to win Compare |
| Feb 13 | vsDelawareConference | Projected 78-67WKU: 83% to winWestern Kentucky: 83% to win Compare |
| Feb 18 | atFlorida InternationalConference | Projected 80-77WKU: 59% to winWestern Kentucky: 59% to win Compare |
| Feb 20 | atMissouri StateConference | Projected 79-70WKU: 78% to winWestern Kentucky: 78% to win Compare |
| Feb 27 | atMiddle TennesseeConference | Projected 76-71WKU: 66% to winWestern Kentucky: 66% to win Compare |
| Mar 4 | vsJacksonville StateConference | Projected 78-68WKU: 81% to winWestern Kentucky: 81% to win Compare |
| Mar 6 | vsKennesaw StateConference | Projected 79-74WKU: 69% to winWestern Kentucky: 69% to win Compare |
CUSA standings
| # | Team | Conf | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Kentucky | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 2 | Kennesaw State | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 3 | Florida International | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 4 | Missouri State | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 5 | Sam Houston | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 6 | New Mexico State | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 7 | Liberty | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 8 | Jacksonville State | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 9 | Middle Tennessee | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 10 | Delaware | 0-0 | 1-1 |