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August 28th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Western
Kentucky Hilltoppers
Overall Rank:
#75
Conference
Rank: #1 Sun Belt
2005-06:
23-8, 12-2, 1st East
2005-06
postseason: NIT
 Western Kentucky had another great regular season during the 2005-2006
campaign, knocking off teams like UAB and Virginia. However,
when March rolled around, the Hilltoppers stumbled. Coach
Darrin Horn will once again deal with high expectations and this
team is deep enough and talented enough to get to the NCAAs, but
they were last year too.
Who’s Out:
On
the surface the loss of Anthony Winchester is huge. Surely his
18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists will be missed, but
WKU has plenty of options in the backcourt. It is the absence
of Elgrace Wilborn that should have Hilltopper fans worried.
The 6-8, 245 pound center averaged 8.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and
2.5 blocks and his presence under the basket will be difficult
to replace. Guard Joemal Campbell, who mostly came off the
bench last season, has transferred to North Alabama.
Who’s In:
WKU needed a
point guard or two and they picked up a couple nice options.
Tyrone Brazelton, a transfer from Missouri State – West Plains,
is expected to take over the starting job. Brazelton is a
playmaker and can do a little of everything else too. He has a
nice shooting stroke beyond the arc, is a pest on the defensive
end and can get up and down the floor. Sophomore Desire Gabou
will see some minutes at the point as well. The Ivory Coast
native spent some time playing in France and knows the system at
the Hill after redshirting last season. A.J. Slaughter may be
relegated to the bench this year, but the 6-3 freshman is a
great scorer who will have to wait his turn before he makes a
huge impact. Up front WKU could use some help right away and
Raed Mostafa should provide that. The 6-8, 220 pound power
forward is a mature and experienced player after spending two
seasons at North Dakota State College of Science and playing in
Germany. Jeremy Evans is another typical athletic and versatile
WKU big man who will fit into Coach Horn’s system nicely.
Who to Watch:
If
you’re not a Sun Belt fan, there is only one name you need to
know, but I recommend becoming a Sun Belt fan and learning a few
more names. But for now, that one name is Courtney Lee. The
6-5 wing averaged 17.4 points and a team high 6.3 rebounds, 2.9
assists and 2.6 steals per contest. Expect him to lead the team
in points this year too. He’s a solid shooter from everywhere
on the floor and can carry the team on his back if he needs
too. Yet, with Ty Rogers, Benson Callier, Butch Jointer and
Orlando Mendez-Valdez joining him on the perimeter, Lee won’t
need to carry the Hilltoppers on his own. Callier is the most
intriguing of the group. After starting 19 games last season,
the former Seminole may be relegated to the bench or asked to
play the four again if the forward options don’t pan out.
Final
Projection:
There are
choices in the paint, but none are proven threats. Daniel
Emerson showed promise in four starts as a freshman, averaging
3.8 points and 2.9 rebounds. At 6-8 and 230 pounds, Emerson has
the most girth to battle at the center spot. Mike Walker added
on 2.9 points and rebounds per contest and the junior will at
least get a chance to see a major increase in minutes this
year. Boris Siakam earned seven starts as a sophomore last
season and is looking to sneak into a starting role. Despite
the questions in the paint, the options aren’t that bad and WKU
should end on top the Sun Belt.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Tyrone Brazleton,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Ty Rogers,
Junior, Guard, 7.2 points per game
Courtney Lee,
Junior, Guard, 17.4 points per game
Mike Walker,
Junior, Forward, 2.9 points per game
Daniel Emerson,
Sophomore, Forward, 3.8 points per game
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