Will Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Outmaneuver New Mexico State Aggies?

As the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers gear up to face the New Mexico State Aggies, fans are eager to see if their team can maintain the offensive prowess they've displayed in recent games. The Hilltoppers have shown a remarkable ability to score from inside the paint, which was evident when they put up an impressive 44 points in that area against Liberty on March 9th. Despite falling short with a final score of 79-82, their performance was nothing short of tenacious.

The Hilltoppers' scoring efficiency has been a highlight this season. They shot at a commendable 52 percent from the field and an outstanding 82 percent from the free-throw line against Liberty. However, turnovers were a sore spot as they gave up possession 15 times, which is something they'll need to tighten up before their next game.

In another close encounter on March 2nd against Florida International University Panthers, WKU managed to rack up an even higher total of points in paint (50), showcasing their dominance under the basket once again. Their overall field goal percentage stood at 46 percent and while their three-point shooting wasn't as sharp at only 33 percent, it's clear that WKU knows where its strengths lie.

Defense will be crucial for WKU when they meet NMSU. In their last home game on February 29th against Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, despite scoring efficiently with an overall field goal percentage of 44 percent and sinking twelve three-pointers for a solid 39 percent from beyond the arc, it was defensive plays that made a difference. They managed six steals and two blocks but will need more defensive rebounds to control NMSU's offense.

NMSU comes into this matchup with its own set of skills and strategies that could pose challenges for WKU. The Aggies have demonstrated resilience throughout their season and won't make things easy for the home team.

Looking ahead to March 14th at E.A Diddle Arena in Bowling Green KY., fans should expect WKU to leverage its strong inside game while working on reducing turnovers and bolstering defense – areas where there's room for improvement based on past performances.

For those who bleed red and white, this is not just another game; it’s an opportunity for Western Kentucky University's basketball program to assert itself once again as formidable contenders within college basketball’s competitive landscape.

Fans can catch all the action live at E.A Diddle Arena or tune into ESPN+ online broadcast starting at 8:00 PM local time on Thursday night.