West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Hearing he and Dennis both.

Wonder why they wouldn't follow Crutchfield if they're set on leaving WL.

Dennis was set on leaving before Crutch left. He believes he is D1 caibre and is fishing for offers at that level. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up following Crutch to Nova if he doesn't get a D1 offer he likes. Gauz is a new rumored departure. Haven't heard anything about were he wants to go or why he's leaving. Wouldn't be surprised if he also ends up at Nova. I mean, if you are willing to gamble on being in a winning program and you want BIG minutes playing in a palace like setting, him going to Nova makes perfect sense. Lets just say the existing Nova roster is not filled with players that play Crutch's style of ball. I would guess that half of the roster might not be around for the start of next season. A WLU transfer who started for Crutch the previous year becomes an instant starter and team leader...playing and practicing in the $80M University Centers 4000 seat "Shark Tank"...Living in the new 2-4 bedroom apartments that Nova calls "dorms"...About 2 miles from the beach and right around the corner from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

He11...I'm thinking of dusting off the Chuck Taylor All-Star's (High top...black, of course!) and seeing about walking on myself!!!!"

I'm frankly surprised more players aren't testing transfer with an eye toward following Crutch to Ft Lauderdale.

[IUP Extra Mile]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Not that you "try harder" for Nick Smith now, but I think he becomes a much bigger get, since Clay left...
I was under the impression, mistaken obviously, that Clay would stay with Ben, but what can you do......

[DUPanther]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Huge loss if true

Hearing he and Dennis both.

Wonder why they wouldn't follow Crutchfield if they're set on leaving WL.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

As far as i have heard, nut, those guys are still in..

Bad news is, I have heard Clay Guillozet is leaving, which was in question.. I can't confirm that totally though, at this point

I remember that he started the first game, which really surprised me. Even Seger did not start then. I could see Clay and Monte averaging 18-25 points per game this coming season. Was this being rumored before Crutch left? Or is it the possible aftermath?

[Layton]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

As far as i have heard, nut, those guys are still in..

Bad news is, I have heard Clay Guillozet is leaving, which was in question.. I can't confirm that totally though, at this point

Huge loss if true

[Bware2]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

As far as i have heard, nut, those guys are still in..

Bad news is, I have heard Clay Guillozet is leaving, which was in question.. I can't confirm that totally though, at this point

[Layton]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Do we know if Moore, Saben and Yokum, the three commits before Crutchfield left are still committed to WL?

All three should still be good to go

[Sportsnut]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Do we know if Moore, Saben and Yokum, the three commits before Crutchfield left are still committed to WL?

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I know WL holds tryouts that's how we got Lococo but I guess we were just really picky and don't want walk ons, I don't really get it but I've never seen a walk on here. Anyone know why, hopefully Ben will allow it

I have heard that the tryouts are beneficial to the recruit also. They need to understand what they are buying into in terms of effort and intensity. I have heard there have been times after a workout when prospective recruits and their parents have said "We really appreciate the offer, but we don't think this is a fit for us."

[Layton]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I know WL holds tryouts that's how we got Lococo but I guess we were just really picky and don't want walk ons, I don't really get it but I've never seen a walk on here. Anyone know why, hopefully Ben will allow it

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

What is up with WJ having those 20 players or whatever ... freshman walk-on team or something? I've never see an IUP team in the Joe era dress more than 10 players. Ever. And, the last two might as well not even dress.

Dennis, you're correct, extreme rare exception. I've been looking around the KCAC ... sadly haven't seen him yet.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Well...Dave Dennis started as a true freshman and he did all right, but I do agree, starting a TF as your PG is USUALLY going to be a problem. I like Arnold as the starting PG as long as he plays that position. He is a top notch penetrator and distributor...just what a PG needs to do. As a 3 pt shooter, he's streaky...smoke the bottom of the nets one game and then can't hit the rim the next. He needs to take and make enough outside shots to keep the D honest...but I don't want him as one of my primary 3 ball shooters. If Smith comes to WLU, perfect scenario is to have him be the primary back up to Arnold getting 15 minutes per game...put him in increasing pressure situations and let him learn and grow.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

WLU has typically had a pretty low number of players on its roster compared to other schools. For example WJ lists 20 players on its roster and Fairmont lists 18! WLU usually has between 12 and 15 with 14 on the roster last season. Obviously each school has the same max number of schollys, but WLU could have quite a few additional players on it's roster. With a team that has as many high academic achievers as WLU does, I would assume that many could earn academic scholly's which could leave additional athletic $'s for the ones who aren't quite as academically gifted.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

" ... Smith would more than likely start at PG day one. I don't know if I can trust Brady being the main guy and question marks behind him."


You don't want a true freshman point guard. Nick Smith may have fancy highlight tapes but going from playing Norwin to Fairmont State is a giant, giant leap. Jason Jolley would eat a true freshman for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Freshmen in prominent, starting roles just come with too many headaches.

A lot of you seem pretty down on Brady Arnold taking over the PG? With three years' big-game experience and familiarity with the systems ... just seems odd. Again .. you'd know better than I do but Brady, from what I've seen, seems more than capable of being the starter.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

With 4 people leaving and 4 people coming in including mallory if he does I don't think we have room for anyone else but I really want Smith, unless someone else knows of anymore transfers

I also wonder if someone else is leaving to get more playing time. That is due to the fact that both Nick Smith and Anderson Keller (6ft 5) had offers from WL. Two different positions IMHO. Keller committed to Lincoln Memorial during the Crutch transition. In Feb, I have heard from people I trust that it is a high priority to sign a big for next year. Austen Yarian (6 ft 8) from St. Ignatius in Cleveland was offered several months ago but committed to Hillsdale in Michignan. He had a lot of Grossenbacher characteristics.