HADLEY, Ky. (Interstat) — A pivotal Conference USA men’s basketball matchup is set for Saturday when Western Kentucky hosts Middle Tennessee at E.A. Diddle Arena. The Hilltoppers (13-11) and Blue Raiders (12-12) meet for the second time this season, with Western Kentucky looking to complete a regular-season sweep. The Hilltoppers won the first meeting 65-60 in Murfreesboro on Jan. 31. Both teams enter the Valentine’s Day clash seeking consistency in the conference standings. Western Kentucky snapped a two-game skid with an 80-70 home win over Florida International on Feb. 7. Middle Tennessee arrives after a dramatic 90-87 road victory at Kennesaw State on Thursday, potentially providing a momentum shift after a string of close losses. The Jan. 31 contest was defined by defense and rebounding, areas that will again be crucial. Western Kentucky’s Blaise Keita dominated the glass with 14 rebounds in that victory. The forward is coming off a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) against FIU and will be a central figure in the paint. Middle Tennessee will lean on guard Torey Alston, who recorded a double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds) in the first matchup against WKU. Alston has been a high-volume scorer recently, including a 21-point performance in an overtime loss at Delaware on Feb. 7 and 22 points in the win over Kennesaw State. The Hilltoppers’ backcourt of Terrion Murdix, who dished six assists in the last outing, and leading scorer Grant Newell (23 points vs. FIU) will challenge a Middle Tennessee defense that has shown vulnerability. The game tips off at 5 p.m. EST Saturday. Western Kentucky holds a narrow historical edge in the series and will aim to protect its home court, while the Blue Raiders seek to even the season series and climb back to .500 in conference play. The result will have significant implications for seeding in the upcoming Conference USA tournament.