Justin Johnson received some encouragement at the beginning of his Western Kentucky career from perhaps the best Hilltopper ever.
Johnson spoke with Jim McDaniels, the man who led WKU to the 1971 Final Four and who finished his career with 2,338 points, tied with Courtney Lee for the most ever scored by a Topper.
Johnson was one of many who paid respects to McDaniels on Monday at E.A. Diddle Arena during visitation for the former WKU star, who died Wednesday at 69.
A Hilltopper red carpet led to McDaniels’ casket, which lay underneath a basket at Diddle Arena.