Event Preview
Overview
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will host the Evansville Purple Aces in a non-conference men's basketball matchup at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM Central Time (4:00 PM Eastern Time). This game marks the first meeting between the two teams since December 7, 2024, when Western Kentucky secured a 79-65 victory over Evansville. (wkusports.com)
Season Snapshot
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
The Hilltoppers enter this game with a 5-2 record, having won five of their last six outings. Their most recent victory was a 75-70 win over Wichita State in the Battle 4 Atlantis finale on November 28, 2025. (wkusports.com) Notably, freshman Armelo Boone has been recognized as the Conference USA Freshman of the Week for three consecutive weeks, highlighting his significant impact on the team's performance. (wkusports.com)
Evansville Purple Aces
The Purple Aces come into this matchup with a 4-5 record. In their most recent game on December 3, 2025, they secured a 64-52 victory over Ball State at the Ford Center. (gopurpleaces.com) In that game, Connor Turnbull led the team with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while AJ Casey added nine points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Defensively, Evansville held Ball State to 52 points on 32.1% shooting. (gopurpleaces.com)
Recent Form
Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers have demonstrated strong form recently, with a 5-1 record in their last six games. Their offense has been particularly effective, averaging 90.3 points per game over four games. (basketball.realgm.com) Defensively, they have been solid, allowing an average of 74.5 points per game. The team's recent success is also attributed to the consistent performance of freshman Armelo Boone, who has been named Conference USA Freshman of the Week for three consecutive weeks. (wkusports.com)
Evansville
The Purple Aces have shown resilience, winning two of their last three games. Their offense has been productive, averaging 73.4 points per game over five games. (basketball.realgm.com) Defensively, they have been effective, allowing an average of 68.0 points per game. The team's recent victory over Ball State, where they held their opponent to 52 points, underscores their defensive capabilities. (gopurpleaces.com)
Talking Points
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Freshman Impact: Armelo Boone's consecutive Freshman of the Week honors highlight his significant contribution to Western Kentucky's success.
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Defensive Strategies: Evansville's ability to limit Ball State to 52 points suggests a strong defensive approach; can they replicate this against a high-scoring Western Kentucky team?
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Offensive Firepower: With Western Kentucky averaging 90.3 points per game, how will Evansville's defense adjust to contain their potent offense?
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Home Court Advantage: Playing at E.A. Diddle Arena, Western Kentucky has the support of their home crowd; will this provide the edge they need?
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Series History: The Hilltoppers lead the all-time series 41-20, including a 79-65 victory in the most recent matchup on December 7, 2024. (wkusports.com)
Players to Watch
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Armelo Boone (Western Kentucky): The freshman forward has been a standout, earning Conference USA Freshman of the Week honors for three consecutive weeks. (wkusports.com)
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Connor Turnbull (Evansville): Turnbull led the Purple Aces with 21 points and 10 rebounds in their recent win over Ball State, showcasing his scoring and rebounding prowess. (gopurpleaces.com)
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AJ Casey (Evansville): Casey contributed nine points and a career-high 11 rebounds in the same game against Ball State, highlighting his versatility and presence in the paint. (gopurpleaces.com)
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Teagan Moore (Western Kentucky): As a key contributor to the Hilltoppers' offense, Moore's performance will be crucial in maintaining their high-scoring output.
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Braxton Bayless (Western Kentucky): Bayless has been instrumental in facilitating the offense, leading the team in assists and providing stability in the backcourt.
Key Matchups & Storylines
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Boone vs. Turnbull: The battle between Western Kentucky's freshman sensation Armelo Boone and Evansville's leading scorer Connor Turnbull will be pivotal in determining the game's outcome.
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Western Kentucky's Offense vs. Evansville's Defense: The Hilltoppers' high-scoring offense faces a test against the Purple Aces' defensive strategies, especially after Evansville's strong defensive performance in their recent win. (gopurpleaces.com)
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Home Court Advantage: Western Kentucky's familiarity with E.A. Diddle Arena could provide a significant edge, as they have been strong at home this season.
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Series Continuity: With the Hilltoppers leading the all-time series 41-20, including a 79-65 victory in the most recent matchup, Evansville will be looking to close the gap. (wkusports.com)
Fun Facts
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Series Record: Western Kentucky leads the all-time series against Evansville 41-20. (wkusports.com)
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Recent Victory: The Hilltoppers defeated the Purple Aces 79-65 in their last meeting on December 7, 2024. (wkusports.com)
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Freshman Honors: Armelo Boone has been named Conference USA Freshman of the Week for three consecutive weeks, underscoring his impact on the team. (wkusports.com)
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Defensive Performance: In their recent win over Ball State, Evansville held their opponent to 52 points on 32.1% shooting, showcasing their defensive capabilities. (gopurpleaces.com)
Things to Chirp About
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"Can Armelo Boone continue his Freshman of the Week streak and lead the Hilltoppers to another victory?"
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"Will Evansville's defense be able to contain Western Kentucky's high-scoring offense?"
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"How will the home court advantage at E.A. Diddle Arena impact the Hilltoppers' performance?"
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"With a 41-20 all-time series lead, can Western Kentucky extend their dominance over Evansville?"
Prediction
While Evansville has shown resilience, especially with their recent defensive performance, Western Kentucky's potent offense and home court advantage make them the favorites in this matchup. The Hilltoppers are likely to secure a victory, but Evansville's defensive strategies could keep the game competitive.