With little room for error at home in conference play, it's gut-check time for Western Kentucky.
The Hilltoppers (8-6 overall, 0-1 Conference USA) will try to bounce back from a dismal defensive showing at Marshall as they host Florida International at 7 p.m. Thursday at E.A. Diddle Arena. That's the start of two straight home games before four in a row on the road.
"We've got to take care of home," graduate senior guard Aaron Cosby said. "We have to protect home court. It's hard to win on the road. It's much more difficult, so we've got to protect home court and get momentum going on the road.