Campbellsville vs Western Kentucky prediction: Teagan Moore leads a rebuilt Western Kentucky against NAIA Campbellsville
With less than half of last season's minutes back, the Hilltoppers' tune-up against Campbellsville is a first look at whether Hank Plona's new pieces fit around his star guard.
- Western Kentucky should control an NAIA opponent at Diddle Arena; the margin depends on how quickly a mostly new rotation finds its footing.
- Watch Teagan Moore's touches alongside newcomers Sharron Young and Noah Norgaard, and whether the guards space the floor without last season's top shooters.
- No spread or total has posted yet; last season's 68.4-possession pace, 147th nationally, is the best guide to the game's shape.
Moore and a new cast
Western Kentucky went 18-14 last season, and its year ended with a March 12 CUSA tournament loss to Kennesaw State. Players on this roster account for only 38% of last season's minutes, so last season's team numbers are a weak guide for Hank Plona's third team.
The constant is Teagan Moore. He averaged 18.7 points last season and shot 42.9% from three, with an offensive rating of 131.4 (points produced per 100 possessions) that made him one of the most efficient high-volume guards in the league. Around him, the shooting has to be rebuilt. Ryan Myers, who made 41.1% of his threes, is gone, and so is Grant Newell, who scored 13.0 a game. Norgaard arrives from UNC Greensboro after shooting 37.2% from deep last season.
The inside game needs fixing
Last season's Hilltoppers made just 46.0% of their twos, 355th of 365 in Division I, and their effective field goal percentage (threes count 1.5 times) ranked 332nd. Emondrek Erkins-Ford, a forward from Jacksonville State, shot 53.2% last season and gives Plona a more reliable finisher. A night against an NAIA frontcourt is a chance to see whether that interior scoring carries over.
Whistles at both ends
Western Kentucky lived at the line last season, with a free throw rate (free throw attempts per field goal attempt) that ranked 31st. It also sent opponents there constantly: its opponent free throw rate ranked 354th. Sharron Young, who made 83.3% of his free throws at Akron, can help cash in on the attempts the offense draws. The fouling is the habit to watch, even against a smaller opponent.
Campbellsville competes in the NAIA's Mid-South Conference. Brent Vernon coached the Tigers last season, and his status for this season hasn't been confirmed. No injury news has surfaced for either team.
Key players
- Teagan Moore (Western Kentucky): Averaged 18.7 points last season with a 131.4 offensive rating on 26.2% usage.
- Sharron Young (Western Kentucky): Posted a 119.9 offensive rating and made 83.3% of his free throws at Akron last season.
- Noah Norgaard (Western Kentucky): Hit 37.2% of 129 three-point attempts at UNC Greensboro last season.
- Emondrek Erkins-Ford (Western Kentucky): Shot 53.2% from the field and blocked 0.9 shots a game at Jacksonville State last season.
Numbers that matter
| Returning minutes | 38% | Most of last season's rotation is gone, so new arrivals will shape this team. |
|---|---|---|
| 2-point % last season | 355th | Western Kentucky's interior finishing was among the worst in Division I last season. |
| Opponent FT rate last season | 354th | The Hilltoppers fouled more than nearly every team in the country. |
| Moore's 3-point % last season | 42.9% | The returning star is the spacing anchor for a roster that lost its best shooters. |
Campbellsville vs Western Kentucky: quick answers
When is Campbellsville vs Western Kentucky?
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET.