CBB Review hands out awards for each conference tournament in 2024. Up next: The C-USA Tournament.
The C-USA Tournament preview article had Louisiana Tech defeating Sam Houston State in the final, but it was upsets galore once the ball tipped off. The UTEP Miners, who hadn’t made the tournament since 2010, and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, who had not qualified since 2013, met in the finals. It was the Hilltoppers, under first-year head coach Steve Lutz, who made the tournament, despite entering the C-USA Tournament on a four-game losing streak. Now, Western Kentucky is going dancing.
CBB Review C-USA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Don McHenry, Western Kentucky
McHenry, a transfer from Indian Hills CC, is officially listed at just 160 pounds, but he can score the rock with ease. He didn’t light it up in the quarterfinal against New Mexico State, scoring just 5 points, but proceeded to drop 18 on MTSU and 25 against UTEP in the final. In the 78-71 victory over the Miners, McHenry also collected four steals, with three coming in the last eight minutes of the second half. With a 37.1 3P% this season, he’s certainly capable of catching fire from deep in the tournament like he did against Sam Houston State and MTSU earlier this season when he knocked down five threes in consecutive games.
CBB Review All-C-USA Tournament First Team
- G: Don McHenry, Western Kentucky – 3 GP (16.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.7 SPG)
- G: Tae Hardy, UTEP – 3 GP (13.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.3 SPG)
- G: Zid Powell, UTEP – 3 GP (14.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 3.0 SPG, 44.4 3P%)
- G: Lamar Wilkerson, Sam Houston State – 2 GP (12.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.5 APG)
- G: Brandon Newman, Western Kentucky – 3 GP (13.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 41.7 3P%)
Western Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament Prediction
Round of 64
When the dust settled on Selection Sunday, the Hilltoppers were sent to Indianapolis to take on Marquette, who may or may not be with the services of Tyler Kolek. That could make a big impact on this game, as Kolek is truly what makes this team go. It may not look like it from the .500 record in C-USA games, but Western Kentucky has quite the talented roster, with seven players on the team with previous NCAA tournament experience. According to the latest KenPom ratings, this team is not only the best 15 seed in the tournament, but also has the fastest tempo in the country. If the Golden Eagles aren’t ready, or if Shaka Smart’s March woes continue, who knows what will happen. Don McHenry has been that dude recently, and if there’s going to be a 2-15 upset this tournament, it’s this one. I just don’t feel like getting ripped to shreds by Marquette fans, so I’ll officially put the Hilltoppers in as a Round of 64 exit, but unofficially say that there’s certainly a chance.