West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

I would say WLU doesn't recruit bigs at all. Yes, there some players that are 6'6"+ sometimes on the roster, but that is more happenstance than a specific attribute recruited to. If you are 6'6"+ at WLU, you need to play like a 6'3" guard or you will see your minutes diminish and will ultimately transfer.

I would agree that prerequisites are good shooters especially from three, passing, dribbling, rebounding, sharing the ball and high motor. Once these are met, if they are also tall then that is icing on the cake. Hinds is 6-8 and 220 lbs. I would say he is a big. But he is rare as i saw him make 60% threes from many different areas during a workout.

imho, Wlu will not recruit a wide body like mcmanus from charleston for he can't sustain the pace. And no one will come out to defend his three.

Imho, Regardless of size, most players transfer due to:
-lack of playing time and unwilling to wait until jr or senior year
-Discover they are more comfortable in an offense with set plays
-the style is too physically demanding
- decide that the ultra competitive gym rat culture is too time consuming.

[boatcapt]

Wlu does not recruit bigs who cannot shoot the three and handle the ball. Hinds was over 50% for much of the season before slumping later in the season.
We played in finals in 2014 and 2023. We beat every team this year in MEC tourney until final 4 by double digits. You might want to check your scales with weights and measures lol. Most would agree they are off. Wlu out rebounded
many teams. Basketball is changing due to 3 point shot. Bigs are an endangered species in nba unless one has Durant or jokic level skills. New haven big was a non factor. Analyst said wlu was playing 5 on 4 because the 7-1 shot blocker was a non factor. Fatigue makes cowards of us all. Traditional big cannot withstand the wlu pace as long as guards.

I would say WLU doesn't recruit bigs at all. Yes, there some players that are 6'6"+ sometimes on the roster, but that is more happenstance than a specific attribute recruited to. If you are 6'6"+ at WLU, you need to play like a 6'3" guard or you will see your minutes diminish and will ultimately transfer.

[Columbuseer]

Clearly we are never going to even attempt anything but our primary style. The answer to any struggles we might have is "more cow bell." A big at WLU is nothing more than the height listed in the on-line roster. If he doesn't shoot 3 and handle the ball like a guard, his minutes will decline and he will ultimately transfer. No amount of rebounds, second chance put backs or rim defense will ever be enough to counter either a poor 3 pt shooting percentage OR a reluctance to take 3's.

During the regular season and sometimes deep into the NCAA tourney, running only 5 "guards" works great. But more often than not, our season is ended by a team with a big or two that we just can't contain.

If the purpose of a WLU season is to look really really good, to put up big numbers and stack up wins, lead the nation in statistical categories and win Conf championships, he11, we found that recipe years ago. But if the goal is to win National Championships, we have been weighed and measured and found lacking.

Wlu does not recruit bigs who cannot shoot the three and handle the ball. Hinds was over 50% for much of the season before slumping later in the season.
We played in finals in 2014 and 2023. We beat every team this year in MEC tourney until final 4 by double digits. You might want to check your scales with weights and measures lol. Most would agree they are off. Wlu out rebounded
many teams. Basketball is changing due to 3 point shot. Bigs are an endangered species in nba unless one has Durant or jokic level skills. New haven big was a non factor. Analyst said wlu was playing 5 on 4 because the 7-1 shot blocker was a non factor. Fatigue makes cowards of us all. Traditional big cannot withstand the wlu pace as long as guards.

[boatcapt]

Ha ha. Can understand how you arrived at 15, as every wlu player has guard skills in varying degrees. I was using an estimate that opponents often have 2 to 3 players with greater ball handling skills and quickness, with the remaining two players being taller, slower players.

An arbitrary, non-ordered grouping of folks who would defend opponent's guards in the half court game, assuming they have 3 guards on the floor.

Montague
Fergus
West

Rasile
Spadafora
Shuler

D'Augustino
Pankey
Reasbeck
Barnhart

Yes, we do play positionless basketball. After both teams in the finals played postionless, it looks like the legendary "alternate style" is on hold for the time being :-)

Clearly we are never going to even attempt anything but our primary style. The answer to any struggles we might have is "more cow bell." A big at WLU is nothing more than the height listed in the on-line roster. If he doesn't shoot 3 and handle the ball like a guard, his minutes will decline and he will ultimately transfer. No amount of rebounds, second chance put backs or rim defense will ever be enough to counter either a poor 3 pt shooting percentage OR a reluctance to take 3's.

During the regular season and sometimes deep into the NCAA tourney, running only 5 "guards" works great. But more often than not, our season is ended by a team with a big or two that we just can't contain.

If the purpose of a WLU season is to look really really good, to put up big numbers and stack up wins, lead the nation in statistical categories and win Conf championships, he11, we found that recipe years ago. But if the goal is to win National Championships, we have been weighed and measured and found lacking.

[Columbuseer]

Three rotations of guards. At WLU that means 15 guards!! Of course, if we play positionless basketball, do we really have ANY guards???

Ha ha. Can understand how you arrived at 15, as every wlu player has guard skills in varying degrees. I was using an estimate that opponents often have 2 to 3 players with greater ball handling skills and quickness, with the remaining two players being taller, slower players.

An arbitrary, non-ordered grouping of folks who would defend opponent's guards in the half court game, assuming they have 3 guards on the floor.

Montague
Fergus
West

Rasile
Spadafora
Shuler

D'Augustino
Pankey
Reasbeck
Barnhart

Yes, we do play positionless basketball. After both teams in the finals played postionless, it looks like the legendary "alternate style" is on hold for the time being :-)

[boatcapt]

One can never predict with certainty how incoming hs recruits will evolve and develop.
However, I am really encouraged by the potential of wlu 's 3 freshmen.

- D'Augustino averaged 28 pts, despite frequent double teams. He won the mvp of ohio all star game that had d1 signees from michigan, indiana and xavier, despite playing only one half. He has great range on his jump shot, but can also drive to the rim. He has great endurance and footwork as a soccer star, and his body is unusually strong for his age. He holds his own against the veterans and is not intimidated. Plays above the rim and good defender. Expect him to play this year.

- Pankey is very athletic with high bball iq, with pg skills to go along with great scoring. In all star game, he acquitted himself quite well against a u. Michigan signee. Plays above the rim. Good defender. Great vision and shares the ball. He can take over a game. Not intimidated by the veterans, great scorer inside and outside. Expect him to play this year.

- Kisner is very athletic, great 3 pt shooter. What surprised me is his grace and speed with the basketball. He might be the fastest big with the ball in his hands. The ball seems like a part of his body as he runs in transition. He surprises bigs with his ability to block shots. His ceiling is very high. He just needs time to develop. There is a log jam with 5 bigs, so I would not be surprised if he redshirts to get stronger.

The freshmen are adjusting, learning that many moves that worked in hs don't work against quicker, older veterans with active hands. Normal period of adjustment.

Wlu could have 3 rotations of guards. That will put extreme pressure on guard oriented opponents.

Three rotations of guards. At WLU that means 15 guards!! Of course, if we play positionless basketball, do we really have ANY guards???

[Columbuseer]

One can never predict with certainty how incoming hs recruits will evolve and develop.
However, I am really encouraged by the potential of wlu 's 3 freshmen.

- D'Augustino averaged 28 pts, despite frequent double teams. He won the mvp of ohio all star game that had d1 signees from michigan, indiana and xavier, despite playing only one half. He has great range on his jump shot, but can also drive to the rim. He has great endurance and footwork as a soccer star, and his body is unusually strong for his age. He holds his own against the veterans and is not intimidated. Plays above the rim and good defender. Expect him to play this year.

- Pankey is very athletic with high bball iq, with pg skills to go along with great scoring. In all star game, he acquitted himself quite well against a u. Michigan signee. Plays above the rim. Good defender. Great vision and shares the ball. He can take over a game. Not intimidated by the veterans, great scorer inside and outside. Expect him to play this year.

- Kisner is very athletic, great 3 pt shooter. What surprised me is his grace and speed with the basketball. He might be the fastest big with the ball in his hands. The ball seems like a part of his body as he runs in transition. He surprises bigs with his ability to block shots. His ceiling is very high. He just needs time to develop. There is a log jam with 5 bigs, so I would not be surprised if he redshirts to get stronger.

The freshmen are adjusting, learning that many moves that worked in hs don't work against quicker, older veterans with active hands. Normal period of adjustment.

Wlu could have 3 rotations of guards. That will put extreme pressure on guard oriented opponents.

[IUP24]

Certainly did not help. Graziano had a terrible game against mo st. Louis, forcing shots. But he played amazingly well against wlu. He was a big factor along with yoakum.

some wlu players will be the target of psy-ops by opposing teams. They need to be prepared, control their emotions and not take the bait.

That starts with the head coach.

[Columbuseer]

WL should have won the whole thing last year. Stay cool in final and they'd have beat Nova. The stupid flagrant/ejection cost them the national title.

Certainly did not help. Graziano had a terrible game against mo st. Louis, forcing shots. But he played amazingly well against wlu. He was a big factor along with yoakum.

some wlu players will be the target of psy-ops by opposing teams. They need to be prepared, control their emotions and not take the bait.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I am not sure "staying the same" logically follows. I think the data only shows wlu does not go through the rebuilding years that one would expect from losing great players.
Like wlu, neither does nwmsu, iup, mercyhurst, etc.

Does The term "better" mean deeper runs in ncaa or better w-l record? Both depend on matchups and when/if you have to play those teams that have once in a coaching career roster.

Personally, I thought Nova had a tougher road to the finals.
Imho, if wlu had yoakum, rather than Nova se, then wlu wins the final, despite the fact Nova had 4 D1 level players. But Butler played 4 yrs, Yoakum and Bolon were at wlu for 5 yrs , so I have no problem with them leaving.
Had Butler stayed, we would likely make a deep run this season, especially with the addition of the gifted Fergus, all region and the best d2 player in NY metro. He is a super quick, high wire act, who shares the ball.

Butler is gone, but I look for players to take a big step up. Korte and Woodward will surprise folks, as just 2 examples.

The success will be determined by how well they blend and adapt to the system. But the talent is there across all 14 players. Looking forward to seeing how it plays out.

WL should have won the whole thing last year. Stay cool in final and they'd have beat Nova. The stupid flagrant/ejection cost them the national title.

[Columbuseer]

Sooo...we don't get better when they leave, we stay about the same. Question is, would we have been better if the transfers had not left? Would Butler not have been good if Yoakim had not been injured then transfered?

I am not sure "staying the same" logically follows. I think the data only shows wlu does not go through the rebuilding years that one would expect from losing great players.
Like wlu, neither does nwmsu, iup, mercyhurst, etc.

Does The term "better" mean deeper runs in ncaa or better w-l record? Both depend on matchups and when/if you have to play those teams that have once in a coaching career roster.

Personally, I thought Nova had a tougher road to the finals.
Imho, if wlu had yoakum, rather than Nova se, then wlu wins the final, despite the fact Nova had 4 D1 level players. But Butler played 4 yrs, Yoakum and Bolon were at wlu for 5 yrs , so I have no problem with them leaving.
Had Butler stayed, we would likely make a deep run this season, especially with the addition of the gifted Fergus, all region and the best d2 player in NY metro. He is a super quick, high wire act, who shares the ball.

Butler is gone, but I look for players to take a big step up. Korte and Woodward will surprise folks, as just 2 examples.

The success will be determined by how well they blend and adapt to the system. But the talent is there across all 14 players. Looking forward to seeing how it plays out.

[boatcapt]

Each year that we had lost an all American or dominant player, I used to wonder how will we ever replace them?

2012 Alex Falk, AA leads us to 34-2
2013 Cedric Harris AA emerges and we go 31-4
2014 Seger Bonifant AA emerges and we are 28-4
2016 Dan Monterosa AA emerges and we are 28-4
2018 Dalton Bolon AA emerges with Will Yoakum and we are 28-5
2021 - Will Yoakum is hurt but Bryce Butler AA emerges and we are 29-3
2022 - Bryce Butler AA leads a very unselfish team and we are 33-4.
2023 - which players will emerge?

It never ceases to amaze me how wlu seems to find ways to compensate for the loss of elite players. In 2023, will it be a transfer, a veteran, or a younger player who emerges?
Should be an interesting year.

Sooo...we don't get better when they leave, we stay about the same. Question is, would we have been better if the transfers had not left? Would Butler not have been good if Yoakim had not been injured then transfered?

[Columbuseer]

Seems like only in the Hilltop can you get better by subtracting All Americans!!

If we were a NC final team with the scrubs Butler, McKinney and Canady on the floor, ANYTHING less than a NC with this team is coaching malfeasance!!! Cast the rings and print the NC T-Shirts because it's OVER!!

Each year that we had lost an all American or dominant player, I used to wonder how will we ever replace them?

2012 Alex Falk, AA leads us to 34-2
2013 Cedric Harris AA emerges and we go 31-4
2014 Seger Bonifant AA emerges and we are 28-4
2016 Dan Monterosa AA emerges and we are 28-4
2018 Dalton Bolon AA emerges with Will Yoakum and we are 28-5
2021 - Will Yoakum is hurt but Bryce Butler AA emerges and we are 29-3
2022 - Bryce Butler AA leads a very unselfish team and we are 33-4.
2023 - which players will emerge?

It never ceases to amaze me how wlu seems to find ways to compensate for the loss of elite players. In 2023, will it be a transfer, a veteran, or a younger player who emerges?
Should be an interesting year.

[Columbuseer]

Wlu fans Fyi in case you missed it.
Coach Howlett named MEC male coach of year across all sports.
https://hilltoppersports.com/sports/mens-basketball

[boatcapt]

Seems like only in the Hilltop can you get better by subtracting All Americans!!

If we were a NC final team with the scrubs Butler, McKinney and Canady on the floor, ANYTHING less than a NC with this team is coaching malfeasance!!! Cast the rings and print the NC T-Shirts because it's OVER!!