West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio Max Butler 6-2 190 lbs freshman

He was originally committed to Coker, but came to wlu with the coaching change. High bball iq, just like his brothers, who were also 1000-point scorers in high school. Has good court vision, unselfish, and plays with great effort. He is a physically strong player who is not affected by contact. He has a bright future.

High School: Played atGreater Latrobe High School in Latrobe Pa...Two-year captain...Two-time first-team all-state...One thousand-point career scorer.

Off the court: Brother Landon is a junior on the team... He is undecided on a major.

[boatcapt]

It's a tough profession for D2 assistants. It can obviously pay off but you have to put in some serious time (usually years) while making peanuts. That life isn't for everybody. A lot of these young guys try it for a year and quickly realize they want to get a job paying double (or more) and move along.

I think it would be a fascinating career path and lifestyle but the early years are pretty rough.

Obviously the goal of young assistant coaches in D2 is to get the hell out of D2 as fast as possible. Or, get that first D2 HC job and then get out. Even for the HCs, there's only a couple jobs in the Atlantic that actually pay pretty well.

I don't know what the MEC is paying assistants in basketball but the PSAC range is probably $35,000 to $50,000 (and I'm guessing most are closer to the first number than the second number). That's obviously why retention is what it is. Get the year on the resume and keep moving.

The way I read Lamberti's interview was that Butler had other offers and would make a decision in a week. Implication was that Butler was the #1 pick for AC and it was his if he wanted it. Clearly, that didn't happen and Butler left. But to where is my question!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Speaking of Bryce Butler, any idea where he went? Early after Lamberti took the HC gig, he gave an interview where he talked about Bryce coming back as an Assistant and how he would know in about a week. Clearly he chose not to come back. Wonder where he went?

It's a tough profession for D2 assistants. It can obviously pay off but you have to put in some serious time (usually years) while making peanuts. That life isn't for everybody. A lot of these young guys try it for a year and quickly realize they want to get a job paying double (or more) and move along.

I think it would be a fascinating career path and lifestyle but the early years are pretty rough.

Obviously the goal of young assistant coaches in D2 is to get the hell out of D2 as fast as possible. Or, get that first D2 HC job and then get out. Even for the HCs, there's only a couple jobs in the Atlantic that actually pay pretty well.

I don't know what the MEC is paying assistants in basketball but the PSAC range is probably $35,000 to $50,000 (and I'm guessing most are closer to the first number than the second number). That's obviously why retention is what it is. Get the year on the resume and keep moving.

[boatcapt]

Speaking of Bryce Butler, any idea where he went? Early after Lamberti took the HC gig, he gave an interview where he talked about Bryce coming back as an Assistant and how he would know in about a week. Clearly he chose not to come back. Wonder where he went?

[Columbuseer]

Fyi Bio Landon Butler Jr. 6-3 185 lbs

High motor and high basketball IQ. Great vision, and shares the ball. Competed well against tbt Dubois.

Prior to WLU: Played at Coker University during the 2024-25 season..... Played in 29 games with one start...... averaged 20.4 mins, 7.8 ppg., 2.6 rpg., and 2.4 apg...... Scored a season-high 22 against Mount Olive Dec.21, 2024. Assist to turnover ratio of 1.92. 50% FG and 32.6% 3FG

Played at Montevallo during the 2023-24 season....... Played in 28 games with seven starts...averaged 19.2 minutes per game...scored 3.8 points per game and grabbed 2.3 rebounds per game...shot 43.4 percent from the field and 31.0 percent from three-point range...was second on the team in steals with 33 on the year...scored a season-high 15 points in his season debut with 15 points against Nova Southeastern on 11/10/23...tallied a season-high seven rebounds and six steals against Barry 11/11/23.

High School: Four-year letterman at Greater Latrobe Senior High School in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.....2023 WPIAL 5A Section Player of the Year...was named to the WPIAL 5A All-Section First Team in 2022 and 2023...earned WPIAL 5A All-Section Second Team honors as a sophomore...WPIAL 5A All-Section honorable mention in 2020 as a freshman...averaged 20 points per game, eight rebounds per game and five assists per game as a senior...scored over 1,000 points in his high school career and is the ninth all-time leading scorer in Greater Latrobe basketball history.

Off the court... His brother is Bryce Butler. Brother Max is a freshman on the team.

[boatcapt]

Given the number of Coker transfers coupled with HC Lamberti from Coker, there shouldn't be much if any "gelling" needed for this seasons Toppers. Only difference is where the players are playing. What we see in game 1 should be pretty much what well see in Feb/Mar.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio on Jamie Muldowney jr. 6-7 230 lbs

I have not seen him play in person this summer as he was a member of the 4-person roster of the Ireland national u23
3-on-3 team, which defeated Serbia. From watching his 3x3 on youtube, he can shoot the three but is also very physical inside. 3x3 is a very physical game.
He averaged 12.6 ppg last year at coker.

Here is 6 hour video of fiba u23 nations league 3x3 games.
Ireland vs Latvia starts at 1:35:00. At 1:41:00 there are some replays of #23 muldowney. Also at 3:08:33 is the Slovenia versus Ireland game.

wlu player muldowney is #23 in black.

https://www.youtube.com/live/72vmRpv1-gc?feature=shared

Prior to WLU: Spent three years at Coker University in Hartville, S.C. ................ 2022-23 season..... Played in 29 games averaged 6.6 ppg., 3.4 rpg., 1.2 apg............. 2023-24 season ........ Did not play.............. 2024-25 season....... Played in 29 games averaged 12.6 ppg., 3.9 rpg. 1.9 apg. ...... Scored a season-high 28 vs Emmanuel Ga. Nov.9, 2024.

High School: Played at Colaiste Iosagain (Portarlington, Ireland) and Trinity Collegiate (Hartsville, SC)....... Won a state championship with Trinity Collegiate in 2022 and state runner-up in 2021. Represented Ireland at u17 and u20 FIBA European Championships and u23 3x3 Nations League.

Off the court: . He will major in Marketing.

[boatcapt]

Is Coker essentially becoming a farm system for WLU? Lol seems they get quite a few from there - wonder if any of them hoped for WLU, didnt get it, went to Coker in hopes of a future jump?

It sure seems like it. Effectively we have moved the entire team to include the coaching staff from Coker to the Hilltop. Question I have, and preseason hyperbole about how great each of these players are, is will the simple relocation and change in the jersey they are wearing be enough to take them from a 19 win, non-NCAA tourney team to a 30 win one that not just makes the NCAA tourney, but wins a Regional title? I have my doubts and think we will be lucky to win in the low 20 wins and MAYBE make the NCAA tourney field as a low seed. Only in Hilltopper preseason land can you believe that getting rid of one of the winningest active basketball coaches and have effectively your entire 30-win Regional Championship team leave result in a team that is equally as good.

[bballfan03]

I think it was a case of wanting to play for lamberti as well as his style. 11 former Coker players or commits transferred to wlu. Similarly, all returning players but Spadafora and Kent followed Ben to Indy.

Most Coker players were not from wlu typical recruiting areas. Exceptions are Hurray and Pankey.

Thats totally on me.. I didnt realize Howlett left lol that explains why so many Coker kids are coming this year!

[Columbuseer]

Is Coker essentially becoming a farm system for WLU? Lol seems they get quite a few from there - wonder if any of them hoped for WLU, didnt get it, went to Coker in hopes of a future jump?

I think it was a case of wanting to play for lamberti as well as his style. 11 former Coker players or commits transferred to wlu. Similarly, all returning players but Spadafora and Kent followed Ben to Indy.

Most Coker players were not from wlu typical recruiting areas. Exceptions are Hurray and Pankey.

[bballfan03]

Is Coker essentially becoming a farm system for WLU? Lol seems they get quite a few from there - wonder if any of them hoped for WLU, didnt get it, went to Coker in hopes of a future jump?

[Columbuseer]

Add Peter Lattos from Northern Michigan

See earlier post on 8-1-25 for his bio.
He played well against Dubois. I was impressed by his skills and aggressiveness.

[Layton]

Add Peter Lattos from Northern Michigan

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio on Daniel Burton rs freshman 6-9 190 lbs
He is an intriguing prospect. He was not at the tbt scrimmage so I have not seen him play at wlu.
He redshirted at Citadel. In watching his hs highlights, he plays like a typical wlu player, who just happens to be 6-9. He is very agile with great elevation. He could pose matchup issues for smaller wing players. Great shot blocker and at ease playing an open court transition game.

https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profi...videos/2029728

Prior to WLU:
Spent one season at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.

High School:
Played at Wilson Hall in Sumter, South Carolina........... All region ......... All State........... Pee Dee All star........ State Track High Jumper 2022.........
Varsity Swim State qualifier.

Off the Court: He is majoring in CSI.

[Columbuseer]

fyi
bio Charlie Hill 6-3 180 lbs rs freshman who transferred from Coker.

Charlie is a tough, physical player with a high motor. Good three point shooter. Aggressive rebounder. He was not intimidated by tbt Dubois team. Bright long term future.

Prior to WLU: Played one year at Coker University in Hartville, South Carolina..........

High School: Played atSocastee High School in Myrtle Beach, S.C. ........... two- year captain for the Braves.......... first team all-conference selection his senior season.

Off the court: He will major in Sports Management