2-2-21

Week of Feb. 2, 2021

Volume 96, Issue 16

A woman A person of color A sorority sister IN THE

WHITE HOUSE

WKU professor responds to historic inauguration

COLLEGE HEIGHTS

HERALD

2 NEWS

Week of Feb. 2, 2021

Several colleges affected by department changes

By Abbey Nutter

Departmental and program changes are being made across the university in response to evaluations.

One change is the Department of Philosophy and Religion, which will be dissolved on July 1.

Larry Snyder, dean of Potter College of Arts and Letters, stressed that the majors in philosophy, religious studies and Asian religions and culture would remain.

“I am taking this action because I am trying to preserve what is most important,” Snyder said. “What is most important is the programs and the faculty and the students that they serve.”

CAPE, the Comprehensive Academic Program Evaluation, saw the evaluation of 380 academic pro-

grams. Recommendations began on a departmental level and ended with the Board of Regents Academic Affairs Committee’s approval in April 2019.

The process ended with recommendations to suspend 101 programs, transform 55, grow 15 and maintain 209.

Snyder said the majors will continue but with different administrative homes.

According to Snyder, the faculty from them will be dispersed into two departments: the religious studies faculty will move into the department of history, and the philosophy faculty will join the department of political science.

“Administrative units — you can make them up however you need to make them up, but what’s most important is that we continue to

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offer the classes and the programs, and this will allow us to do that,” Snyder said.

Advising services, Snyder said, would move under the new departments. Current students will remain under their current advisors.

According to Snyder, Potter College is trying to minimize the impact of this change, and WKU students won’t see a big change over the next year.

“The effect on students will be minimal,” Snyder said. “The faculty offices — at least for this next year — are going to remain in the same place, and their classes are going to be in the same space.”

The process of dissolving the department has involved consultations with faculty members from all three departments, and Snyder said this action resulted from a meet-

ing of the department faculty, who voted in favor in November.

“Thus far the response has been very positive,” Snyder said. “The receiving departments rightly see a great deal of new energy that can be brought by additional faculty who bring with them different areas of expertise.”

One reason for the change, Snyder said, was efficiency. He said the department hasn’t had a permanent head in over four years. After the retirement of the office associate last year, the department was operating with an interim department head and no office associate due to budget cuts.

While Snyder does not anticipate another entire department being dissolved and moved around, other changes are entirely possible in the future.

Starbucks @ DSU composts their coffee grounds AND uses Recycleable & Paper Cups!

NEWS 3

Week of Feb. 2, 2021 Outside the Potter College, the Ogden College of Science and Engineering saw a name change for the Department of Geology and Geography to the Department of Earth, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences.

“The name change from Geography and Geology to Earth, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences was a departmental decision that the faculty presented to the administration,” Greg Arbuckle, dean of Ogden College, said in an email.

Christopher Shook, dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business, has seen less changes than other academic units.

“There have been no major changes in departmental structures,” Shook said in an email. “We still have six.”

Changes stemming from the CAPE process that fell on Gordon

Ford included the suspension of a graduate minor that Shook said was no longer being offered, and two recommendations labeled “Grow/ Enhance” for the bachelor’s of science in finance and the bachelor’s of science in data analytics.

Efforts to grow those programs resulted in a new faculty hire prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and another instructor hire this year.

“We continue to put students first and actively partner with admissions to increase the enrollment of the college,” Shook said in his email.

Abbey Nutter can be reached at abbigail.nutter168@topper.wku.edu.

Follow her on Twitter @abbeynutter.

Ivan Wilson Center for Fine Arts sits in WKU's campus on Feb. 1, 2021.

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4 COMMUNITY

COLLEGE HEIGHTS

HERALD Print edition published weekly

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Week of Feb. 2, 2021

WKU professor on Harris inauguration: 'There's still work to be done'

By Laurel Deppen

W

hen Kamala Harris became the vice president on Jan. 20, Saundra Ardrey felt a sense of enthusiasm, optimism and hope.

Ardrey, an associate professor of political science, teaches classes on political behavior, American government, and minority and women’s politics. Ardrey is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a historically Black organization, of which Harris is also a member.

Ardrey was disappointed she couldn’t physically attend the inauguration, especially to see the first woman, woman of color, and woman in her sorority inaugurated.

Ardrey’s excitement on Inauguration Day was almost the same as when she saw former President Barack Obama was elected, she said.

“It was quite unexpected, but welcome,” Ardrey said.

The election of Harris is something to celebrate, Ardrey said, but it is “not the end point.”

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

What does it mean to have a member of your sorority in the White House?

As a sorority, we are an international organization, but we also have rules and regulations and guidelines as to what we can do under the name of the sorority, because we are nonpartisan. But (some) individuals [...] were able to go out and work in her campaign to raise funds.

There was an energy within the sisters of the sorority to make sure that we got her in and help as much as possible. When we eventually were able to be successful in getting her and Joe Biden elected, that was a special treat for us.

She's the first African American woman, woman of color. But she shows what sisterhood and coming together can do. Not only were we as Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters doing that individually, but all of the sororities and fraternities in the Black community were also bonding together and working together to get this done.

It was really good to see how — we call ourselves the Divine Nine — the nine sororities and fraternities, in the community all worked together to make this happen.

You teach women in politics and minority politics here at WKU. Harris represents so many different identities for many Americans. Why is this kind of representation important?

Isn't it wonderful that Kamala Harris brings so many identities to this position? She is a woman. She is of Asian descent, she's of African American descent. She brings so much to us that she can speak to many identities.

She can speak to the marginalization of a lot of these people, so her intersectionality informs her decisions about policies that cut across all of these ethnicities and genders. That's really, really good.

It also offers an opportunity for us as marginalized groups and historically excluded groups to work together, to look at what we can do. We recognize that we all have some of the same kinds of issues, the same kinds of obstacles or challenges, and what can be achieved if we work together. It is our hope that Kamala Harris represents and is a symbol of all of that.

Week of Feb. 2, 2021

COMMUNITY 5

Let us know your thought

How do you respond to critics of identity politics, to those people who don’t think those demographics matter?

Let us know your thoughts!

That is somewhat controversial, but our history of the United States has almost always been about youropinions opinions onon identity politics.

Tell Tell us us your identity politics and other We identify, or we feel an affinity to, to those characteristics that mostly define our lives. For those politics and other groups that have been historically left out of the political process, we have been defined by those eth- identity college-related issues on our nicities, by those identities. college-related issues on ou socialyour media.

Let us know thoughts!

It's only natural that if we are defined that way, in larger society, that they come together, and we social media. coalesce, and we ask for resources based on that identity.

Identity politics for Black Americans, for Asian Americans, for Hispanics, for the LGBTQ community, Tell us your opinions on is, whatever that identity (is), that makes you part of a group. @WKUHerald Also, you have been discriminated against because of that. That causes you to have identity. We see identity politics and other that among a lot of (people) in the white community. You don't usually want to call it that, but that's college-related issues on our white identity. That cuts across the board, and it helps define us.

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I think it’s important to note that some in the Black community have voiced their opposition to Harris, specifically those who find her record as a prosecutor questionable.

We have to get away from this idea that we are a homogeneous community. We are not. We have different opinions. We have different ideas, just like other organizations, just like other groups, just like other identities.

For us to expect that 100% in the Black community — the people of color community — will agree on any one idea, one policy or even one candidate or decision maker is sort of unrealistic.

What we've got to realize is that we are influenced by all of our life experiences, and those life experiences differ. That is actually something to welcome.

The role of Kamala Harris in the White House is a very broad topic, but beyond things we’ve already spoken about, what else do you think is important to remember?

@WKUHerald @WKUHerald

WKU Herald @WKUHerald

Send us submissions for our @WKUHerald WKU Herald community page at loren.gaskin722@topper.wku.edu

@WKUHerald

Send us submissions for our community page at Send us submissions for our During this time, the inauguration, there was euphoria, and there was happiness, and it should be loren.gaskin722@topper.wku.ed community page at celebrated. loren.gaskin722@topper.wku.edu Without a doubt, what we have achieved with Kamala Harris, with the elections down in Georgia in the Senate races, what we have accomplished across the board, is to be celebrated. But that is not the end point.

If anything, that is simply the beginning. Let us not go home, sit back and say, ‘Oh, she's there now.’ [...] That is just the beginning. What we need to do is keep this same type of enthusiasm, this same type of pressure on our decision makers to now deliver on some of the promises that were made.

Too often, especially within the Democratic Party, they use our vote. We give them 90%, 95% of our vote, when we like them. We give them 80% when we don't like them. So we are wedded to this Democratic Party, and so often, we're not getting what we need back from them.

It is incumbent upon us to keep that kind of pressure. The Divine Nine came out and participated during the election, let's keep that up so that we get some policy that's really gonna make some differences.

We've got some issues in the Black community, the people of color community. The COVID-19 pandemic hits us brown bodies and black bodies harder than the other communities.

We've got some social justice issues that we need addressed, so let us not sort of congratulate ourselves and pat ourselves on the back too much, because there's still work — lots of work, to be done.

Editor-in-Cheif Laurel Deppen can be reached at laurel.deppen774@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @laurel_deppen.

PHOTO Randolph's brother, Travis, was studying in college for his degree in education before he died, and being a single mother, his death inspired her to create a life she was grateful for.

Randolph went back to school at WKU to obtain a degree in education like her brother to support her kids and influence the next generation.

On Sept. 20, 2020, at Pleasant Point Baptist Church, Randolph uses the theme "Faith over Fear" in her sermon to relinquish any worry of the unknown during COVID-19 or elements that can cause doubt and withhold God's presence in the congregation.

STANDING IN MY TRUTH

Week of Feb. 2, 2021

WKU alumna Rhondalyn Randolph, a teacher, pastor and activist, takes faith and activism hand-in-hand after the loss of her brother to inspire change within her community and guide others to live in their truth.

PHOTO STORY BY JORDAN MATTHIS Randolph beginning every NAACP event by praying over the members and participants who join for safety throughout the event, as well as provide inspiration from God's word towards the community at the Black Lives Matter March. “I know the future for myself will be bright and for others who allow me in their life," Randolph said. "I will continue to guide them with God's words and create opportunities for them."

LEFT: Randolph spends a sunny afternoon at her mother's house after work and watches her grandchildren as they play outside while taking care of the youngest 9-month-old grandchild. Randolph has primary custody over three of her grandchildren and helps take care of them while their parents gain more leadership. "You know, we all have struggles in life, God nor I wouldn't want them to struggle, so I provide an opportunity for their parents to gain more responsibility and regain custody of the kids," Randolph said.

BELOW: In the remembrance of her brother, Travis Leon Jackson, Randolph prepares her notes for the service and closes them within the Bible to go into a silent prayer. Randolph does this each Sunday to acknowledge and appreciate where God has lead her and where he will lead her.

FUN PAGE

WKU Herald 2/2/21 Trivia Puzzle

Herald 2/2/21 Crossword

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1. Where was Elvis born? (a) Memphis, Tn (b) Birmingham, Al (c) Tupelo, Ms 2. Elvis was first recorded by who? (a) Shelby Singleton (b) Sam Phillips (c) Rudy Van Gelder 3. His debut album was released in what year? (a) 1956 (b) 1954 (c) 1958 4. Who was his long term manager? (a) Tom Parker (b) Tom Porter (c) Tom Perkins 5. Heartbreak Hotel was released by what record company? (a) Capitol Records (b) Dot Records (c) RCA Records 6. How many weeks did the song Blue Hawaill spend at # 1? (a) Over 20 wks. (b) Over 10 wks. (c) Over 30 wks.

7. Elvis's first acting role was in what movie? (a) Love Me Tender (b) Jailhouse Rock (c) King Creole 8. What was Elvis's twin named who died at birth? (a) Garon (b) Jesse (c) Aaron 9. What was his last single to top the Billboard Hot 100? (a) Burning Love (b) In the Ghetto (c) Suspicious Minds 10. How many movies did Elvis make? (a) 31 (b) 24 (c) 38

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18 Old 45 player 19 Purple shade 20 Like Siberian winters 21 Teaspoonful, maybe 22 Eur. land 23 He’s a doll 24 Asian holiday 26 Kind of cloth 28 Anomalous 31 OPEC land 34 Toothed tool 35 Go a-courting 36 High card 37 Sleazy paper 40 Taradiddle 42 Outback runner 43 Jailbird 44 Highball ingredient 46 Viper 48 Eliminate 49 Butts 50 Kind of deposit 51 Chest protector 52 Water source 54 Wither away 58 Intense hatred

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NEWS 9

Week of Feb. 2, 2021

State bill to help students with disciplinary actions

By Debra Murray

WKU has recently started its review of House Bill 145, which will give public college students the right to due process when disciplinary actions are taken.

The bill is titled “AN ACT relating to student discipline at public postsecondary education institutions.” It was introduced Jan. 5.

Students will have the right to make opening and closing statements, to present evidence, and to cross-examine any testimony. Students would have the right to waive the confidentiality in order to have a support person, as long as they do not interfere with the hearing, violate the privacy rights of another student, or substantially burden the hearing process.

Bob Skipper, director of media relations, said that WKU is starting to look into the impacts of the bill but have not made any comments.

Michael Frazier, who works for LGBTQ+ nonprofits, helped draft HB 145 with his experience working for various organizations throughout Kentucky.

Frazier also co-founded the University of Kentucky LGBTQ+ Alumni Group.

He said the Kentucky Student Administrative Rights Protection Act provides students with due process similar to the American justice system. This system would allow students to have the right to be represented by counsel at the students’ expense.

“The Kentucky Student Administrative Rights Protection Act protects students,” Frazier said. “Whenever

they go into a hearing that could result in the eviction of a residence hall, long term suspension, they have protection to stop them from losing what is at stake. ” Other than Title IX, there are no laws protecting student rights, Frazier said. The university is able to decide what rights are given to students based on what is written within their code of conduct.

“There's inconsistency across conducted university reports involving their sanctioned due process protections,” Frazier said. “There's really no outside place where student rights are guaranteed."

While the stake of losing money and education when being considered for expulsion affects all students, it can affect minorities such as students of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community especially on majoritywhite campuses, Fraizer said.

Frazier said due process reforms are needed since modern universities act like little cities, so they should have a judicial process similar to the real justice system.

“We have found in our criminal justice system that any due process disproportionately impacts the marginalized people of color, students of color, [and] LGBTQ,” Frazier said.

Frazier said he reached out to WKU on March 9, 2020, about statistics involving students that have been expelled. Senior Advisor to the President and Title IX Coordinator Deborah Wilkins told Frazier “WKU does not possess any record which would

reflect the information you requested.”

Wilkins confirmed that Frazier reached out to her regarding the statistics.

Rep. Kim Banta was the author of HB 145. Banta said students do not have someone to represent them to help stop them from getting expelled.

“The kids don't have anybody there for them so that this is put in place,” Banta said. “We want colleges to have in place procedures for expelling a student and making sure that they have procedural rights.”

Banta said typically an incident is reported to a dean, and the dean will investigate the incident and decide to send the student home.

“It takes a lot of sacrifice for families sometimes to send their kids to school,” she said. “I think the very least we can do for them once they get there is allow them to have a procedure in place before they get kicked out.”

Debra Murray can be reached at debra.murray940@topper.wku.edu.

Follow her on Twitter @debramurrayy.

MHARI SHAW House Bill 145 aims to set up due process in pubic college disciplinary systems. The bill is authored by Rep. Kim Banta from Northern Kentucky.

10 SPORTS

Week of Feb. 2, 2021

How fans coped without live sporting events

By Nick Kieser

On March 12, Conference USA canceled the 2020 tournament for men’s and women’s basketball. Since then, WKU and C-USA have returned to play amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the summer, fans were without their favorite teams to watch, and athletes didn’t have any games on their schedules.

WKU psychology professor Rick Grieve and WKU sports psychologist Joey Case wondered what fans were doing without sports and how they were faring. Hence, they decided to conduct a study.

Grieve said he thought back in the summer he would start asking fans how they were coping without sports.

Since the mid-1990s, Grieve has been conducting studies on sports fans.

“Here's this big thing that's going to affect the fans,” Grieve said. “How

does it affect the fans? What kinds of lessons can we draw from it? That's kind of where that idea came out for me.”

The study is titled “How Did Sports Fans Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic?” Grieve said the study was sent to the International Journal of Sport Marketing and Management on Dec. 3. The study is still pending approval to be published.

For Case, this was an opportunity to get professional research experience. He said he was incredibly fortunate to be a part of the study.

“Crap, we're psychologists and everything is gone now,” Case said.

“Again, if it's affecting us, we wonder just big picture how this is affecting avid sports fans.”

Grieve said 23% of respondents found refuge in watching television shows and more respondents, 30%, turned to the internet to watch archived games.

“I played a lot of golf and re-

JACK DOBBS A staff worker at the Houchens-Smith Stadium at WKU urges spectators a WKU Hilltoppers game against Southern Miss to follow safety protocols relating to COVID-19.

watched a lot of old sporting events,” college graduate Sam Fleming said.

“Now I am just thankful sports are making a comeback.”

Grieve believes that from a marketing perspective, professional teams should consider archiving games on a platform such as YouTube.

“Gosh, if when we don't have sports these people are going to the internet to watch old sports, maybe that would be a thing that teams would want to get into,” Grieve said.

“Is there a way we can archive games, or at least advertise on the sites that archive games for our fans?”

Case works closely with WKU’s athletes and said he noticed them developing their fandom, and some were gaming in the absence of live sports.

According to the study, 37% of participants plan to watch more live sports as they return. Additionally, 27 of 84 participants said they would

worry about catching or being exposed to COVID-19 when attending a sports game.

Abby Miles, a Nashville Predators fan, attended an NHL game on Jan. 26 with new protocols in place at the professional level.

“I thought they did really well,” Miles said of the guidelines set in place for Bridgestone Arena. “They had you do a health screening before just answering basic questions.

Masks were mandatory unless you were seated, drinking or eating.”

The study concluded that, while the COVID-19 pandemic is a unique worldwide event, having the obtained data would be helpful for future times of crisis.

Sports Editor Nick Kieser can be reached at nick.kieser036@topper. wku.edu. Follow Nick on Twitter at @ KieserNick.

KEILEN FRAZIER The crowd cheers at a WKU Hilltoppers football game against Southern Miss at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Nov. 14, 2020.

SPORTS 11

Week of Feb. 2, 2021

Lady Toppers win triple overtime affair, sweep Charlotte

By Drew Toennies

Last Friday the Lady Toppers forced triple overtime against Charlotte for the first time in program history. The Lady Toppers (5-9), (4-4,C-USA) claimed their first sweep of the season over Charlotte (5-6), (4-2, C-USA) over the weekend to level out at .500 for the first time in Conference USA play.

WKU junior Meral Abdelgawad was the hero, knocking down a three pointer at the buzzer to upset Charlotte 100-99.

Abdelgawad was emotional following her game winning shot. She said she won the game thinking of her dad who passed away last summer.

“He’s always with me every game that I play,” Abdelgawad said. “I promised my dad before he died that I would play every game hard just for him.”

The Lady Toppers came out on top Saturday night 65-64 in regulation as opposed to overtime the night before.

Senior Raneem Elgedawy paced all scorers on the floor, leading the offense with 20 points while grabbing 13 rebounds.

The Lady Toppers’ next conference opponent is the Florida Atlantic Lady Owls who are 3-7 overall and have fallen to 1-5 in conference play after splitting their last series against FIU. The Lady Owls took game one in a 73-69 victory, but fell just short in the second game as they lost 65-62.

FAU has not played since its series against FIU, which took place Jan. 15-16. The Lady Owls split their last series with a home-and-home matchup against the Panthers.

The Lady Owls won 73-69 Jan. 15 and lost the next night in Miami 65-62 on Jan. 16.

Despite being 1-5 in conference

play, Florida Atlantic is still one of the better offensive performers in the conference, as they average 72.6 points per game.

“We know that’s a different team,” redshirt sophomore Myriah Haywood said of Florida Atlantic. “They’re a little bit bigger than us but when you go in high great things happen. So as long as we keep our confidence we’ll be fine.”

FAU graduate Iggy [Allen] is the Lady Owls’ top performer, as she averages 20.4 points per game and scored 24 points in the Lady Owls’ 73-69 win over FIU. Allen is currently one of the top offensive players in the conference — ranked third with 204 points.

“I’m aware that Iggy Allen can score,” WKU head coach Greg Collins said on Saturday night. “I’m sure our players will be up for the challenge, and we’ll find a way that gives us the best opportunity to compete and have a chance to win that game.”

One of the Lady Toppers’ top performers is senior Fatou Pouye who regularly averages 11.1 points per game. Pouye’s season high is 21 points, which she scored in a conference match against LA Tech. Pouye is ranked 23rd in the conference with 155 points scored.

Another offensive machine at WKU’s disposal is Elgedawy. She has averaged 20.7 points per game and got close to breaking her all-time high of 29 points in the first match against MTSU, where she scored 26.

The Lady Toppers will host the Lady Owls this weekend at home Feb. 5-6.

Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. both days.

Women’s basketball beat reporter Drew Toennies can be reached at drew. toennies900@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter @drew_toennies.

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Located at Downing Student Union

RedZone NEW! Mon. – Thurs........... 11am – 9pm Fri. ...................... 11am – 8pm Sat. ..............................Closed Sun. .....................4pm - 10pm

The Den by Denny’s @ Tower Mon. – Thurs. ............................11am – 11pm Fri. .............................................. 11am – 3pm Sat. ......................................................Closed Sun ..............................................4pm – 11pm Located at Tower Court Next to PFT

Located behind DSU Food Court

®

DSU Food Court Mon. – Thurs. ... 10:30am – 11pm* Fri. ............. 10:30am – 10pm* Sat. ............ 10:30am – 10pm* Sun. ................Noon – 11pm**

The Pit Stop Convenience Store Mon. – Thurs. .......................... 10am – 10pm Fri. .............................................. 10am – 6pm Sat. ......................................................Closed Sun. ............................................ 5pm – 10pm

Located at Tower Court Next to PFT

Located at Downing Student Union

Java City NEW! Mon. – Thurs. .......................... 7:30am – 2pm Fri. – Sun. ............................................Closed

Burrito Bowl Mon. – Thurs..10:30am – 8pm Fri. ............10:30am – 2:30pm Sat. – Sun. ...................Closed Located at Downing Student Union

Located in Garrett Conference Center Lobby

GCC Subway NEW! Mon. – Thurs. ................... 10:30am – 2:30pm Fri. – Sun. ............................................Closed

Located at Garrett Conference Center

Starbucks NEW! Mon. – Thurs. ..7:30am – 8pm Fri. ...................7:30am – 4pm Sat. .......................8am – 2pm Sun. .................... 10am – 5pm Located at Downing Student Union

Subway @ Bates NEW! Mon. – Thurs.... 8:30am – 11pm Fri. ..................8:30am – 8pm Sat. .....................10am – 8pm Sun. .................. 10am – 11pm Located at Bates-Runner Hall

NEW!

P.O.D. Market @ Bates Mon.–Thurs. ........ 7:30am – 11pm Fri. .................7:30am – 10pm Sat. ......................3pm – 9pm Sun. ....................3pm – 10pm Located at Bates-Runner Hall

Garrett Food Court NEW! Mon. – Thurs. .........................7:30am – 3pm* Fri. ..........................................7:30am – 2pm* Sat. – Sun. ...........................................Closed

Located at Garrett Conference Center (Papa John’s closed on Fri.) *Grille Works opens at 7:30am. All other stations open at 10am.

Panda Express Mon. – Thurs. ........................ 10:30am – 8pm Fri. .................................... 10:30am – 2:30pm Sat. – Sun. ..........................................Closed

Located at Garrett Conference Center

DaVinci’s NEW! Mon. – Thurs. ......................... 7:30am – 2pm Fri. – Sun. ............................................Closed

Located at Snell Hall

Hilltopper Hub NEW! Mon. – Fri. ................................7:30am - 8pm Sat. – Sun.......................................5pm - 8pm

Located at Hilltopper Hall

We Accept Meal Plans, Meal Plan Dollars, Flex, Dining Dollars, Big Red Dollars, Cash and Credit/Debit Cards (Visa or Mastercard).

*Hours subject to change

12 SPORTS

Week of Feb. 2, 2021

Hilltoppers travel to FAU after one week delay

By Kaden Gaylord

is where WKU will most likely play ODU. The WKU men’s basketball team The Hilltoppers will now head will take the floor, for the first time on the road to take on the Owls. since Jan. 24, to take on conference FAU is currently (8-7), (3-3, C-USA) foe Florida Atlantic University Friday and have won three of its last four at 6 p.m. games. The Owls haven't played Last week, the Hilltoppers were since Jan. 23, splitting its series with supposed to take on Old Dominion Charlotte and currently sit in fourth but were unable to due to multiple place in the East Division of C-USA. positive COVID-19 cases within FAU was supposed to take on ODU’s men’s and women’s basketMarshall on the road this past weekball programs. end, but the games were unable to WKU has played its full slate of be played due to contact tracing renon-conference matchups, so it was lated to a Tier I member of the FAU not likely an opponent would have travel party. The Owls have had four been found to replace the Monarchs games postponed this season, the on the schedule. first set being conference opponent Conference USA has placed an Middle Tennessee State. open week at the end of the season The last time WKU and FAU that holds the purpose of making up squared off, it ended in a 69-65 games that were postponed, which victory for the Owls.

Only three Hilltoppers scored in the double digits, including two members of this year's roster. Juniors, now seniors, Josh Anderson led the way with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting with four rebounds, while Taveion Hollingsworth had 18 points, four rebounds and three assists.

FAU had five players finish in double digits, led by thenjunior Jailyn Ingram with 16 points and six rebounds. The team hit 10 total threes while WKU made four.

This season, Ingram leads the BRITTANY FISHER Owls in shooting — WKU junior Charles Bassey (23) attempts to dunk the ball during Friday nights' game in Diddle Arena on Jan. 15. The WKU Hilltoponce again, averagpers defeated the Marshall University Thundering Herd 81-73. ing 14.5 points, 6.1

BRITTANY FISHER

WKU guard Kenny Cooper (21) reacts to receiving a foul during the WKU vs.

Marshall University game in Diddle Arena on Jan. 15. The Hilltoppers defeated the Marshall Thundering Herd 81-73.

rebounds and shooting 49% from behind the arc. Junior Michael Forrest and sophomore Braylen Greenlee are the two other players who average double-digit points a game.

Greenlee leads the team in assists per game as well.

FAU is a scoring machine, currently scoring 80 points per game, the most in the conference, while winning by an average of 14 points.

The Owls have the second best shooting percentage in the league, shooting 47% per game while also shooting the second best from behind the arc at 38%.

The Owls are a top five defensive team, only allowing its opponents to shoot 41% and only allowing teams to score 66 points a game. Where they struggle is on the perimeter, as they are 11th in the conference in three-point field goal percentage defense. With the way WKU has been shooting the past few games, that is

an area they can focus on when attacking on offense.

Last year, the lack of depth played a huge factor in this matchup. Obviously, with junior Charles Bassey in the lineup this time, the outcome will be greatly affected by his play.

These two teams are number one and two in rebound margin, with FAU having a two rebound advantage over the Hilltoppers. Whoever can gain control of the boards should have the advantage in both games.

The series will be held at Abessinio Court at FAU Arena in Boca Raton, Florida. Game one is on Friday at 6 p.m. with game two on Saturday starting at 3 p.m. Both games will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

Men’s basketball beat reporter Kaden Gaylord can be reached at kaden.gaylord559@topper.wku.edu.

Follow Kaden on Twitter at @_KLG3.