West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I think Crutch is "figuring out" how to manage a team that is quite a bit different than any he has had in recent memory. Not going to say it was easy in years past but it was kind of - Insert this 3 point bomber...he's not hitting...insert this other bomber...he hits a cold spell...put in a different one...harass, harass, harass on the defensive end and always push the ball quickly into the offensive end. This years team doesn't seem as gifted from 3 point land but they have several options that can slash to the basket and can play a generally more athletic game.

If Griffin turns out to be a 15 PPG/20 minute guy, I will never again question any player decisions Crutch makes!!

-88 53.7% 36-67
3FG 37.5% 12-32 48.3% 14-29
FT 75% 18-24 79.2% 19-24
Rebounds OFF-DEF 19-28 6-34
TO 9 15
Steals 9 4

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Hopefully I am not rushing to judgment, but based on the Glenville game I saw, Griffin is not a flash in the pan. He has clearly separated himself from the other tall non-starters on offense and defense. He has confidence shooting the 3 and if you guard him close he goes aggressively to the basket. I think the WLU style has just "clicked" with him. What I like about him is that he never gives up. When someone blocks his shot underneath, he immediately gets it and puts it back up. In my experience, a shot blocker often relaxes just a bit after a block and is vulnerable to the quick put-back. He is also providing the 3rd rebounder in addition to Monterosa and Grossenbacher. I was hoping someone would step up in this area, but frankly I did not think it would be him.
Maybe it is the reverse Samson-effect. He got a buzz hair cut and suddenly he got unstoppable strength LOL!

Clay G. and the way he moves and his abnormally long arms reminds me of a young Jerry West in terms of his physical build. West had a 39 inch sleeve length. Just seems to be a similar body type. Before I am accused of blasphemy, that is where the resemblance ends of course!

I think Crutch is "figuring out" how to manage a team that is quite a bit different than any he has had in recent memory. Not going to say it was easy in years past but it was kind of - Insert this 3 point bomber...he's not hitting...insert this other bomber...he hits a cold spell...put in a different one...harass, harass, harass on the defensive end and always push the ball quickly into the offensive end. This years team doesn't seem as gifted from 3 point land but they have several options that can slash to the basket and can play a generally more athletic game.

If Griffin turns out to be a 15 PPG/20 minute guy, I will never again question any player decisions Crutch makes!!

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

What a year so far. Winning...but not in the typical way! Guess we just sit back, hold on and try not to throw up as we careen from game to game.

Griffin is indeed a surprise. Averaging over 25 minutes a game over the last four and is scoring a very respectable 14+ over that streatch. We'll see if he continues at that pace but anything north of 6 pts and 10 minutes average is way more than I think anyone could have hoped for from him. Just MIGHT be that Crutch knows a little bit more about bring in "hidden gems" than us!!!!

If Smith and Gauz can find their early season touch after returning from injuries, we could be a really good team by turney time.

Hopefully I am not rushing to judgment, but based on the Glenville game I saw, Griffin is not a flash in the pan. He has clearly separated himself from the other tall non-starters on offense and defense. He has confidence shooting the 3 and if you guard him close he goes aggressively to the basket. I think the WLU style has just "clicked" with him. What I like about him is that he never gives up. When someone blocks his shot underneath, he immediately gets it and puts it back up. In my experience, a shot blocker often relaxes just a bit after a block and is vulnerable to the quick put-back. He is also providing the 3rd rebounder in addition to Monterosa and Grossenbacher. I was hoping someone would step up in this area, but frankly I did not think it would be him.
Maybe it is the reverse Samson-effect. He got a buzz hair cut and suddenly he got unstoppable strength LOL!

Clay G. and the way he moves and his abnormally long arms reminds me of a young Jerry West in terms of his physical build. West had a 39 inch sleeve length. Just seems to be a similar body type. Before I am accused of blasphemy, that is where the resemblance ends of course!

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

What a year so far. Winning...but not in the typical way! Guess we just sit back, hold on and try not to throw up as we careen from game to game.

Griffin is indeed a surprise. Averaging over 25 minutes a game over the last four and is scoring a very respectable 14+ over that streatch. We'll see if he continues at that pace but anything north of 6 pts and 10 minutes average is way more than I think anyone could have hoped for from him. Just MIGHT be that Crutch knows a little bit more about bring in "hidden gems" than us!!!!

If Smith and Gauz can find their early season touch after returning from injuries, we could be a really good team by turney time.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketballat Cl

FINAL (in OT):
West Liberty: 108
Glenville St.: 105

Not a WLU fan, but I'm kinda shocked at this result and how close it was.

i made the trip to glenville for the game. The 60 miles from Parkersburg are not for the faint of heart in winter. took 1.5 hours even though roads were clear. It is not in the middle of nowhere, because the middle of nowhere has more people! Very poor, depressed area (grew up in WV so I am familiar with poverty)

Waco Center is $27M showcase. looks like 3000 seat d1 arena.
Some observations on the game.
Bottom Line: Glenville has athletic team, who had a great mix of inside-outside game going and who played as a team for the most part. WLU had some dry spells shooting that coincided with Glenville getting hot. Made for an exciting game that made the horrendous drive more palatable.

1. Glenville has a nice mix of athletes, who played as a team, for the most part. Their plan was to attack the basket off the press and they had finishers. Very athletic at all positions.
2. They had a 6'5 player (morris) who required Grossenbacher's attention. But they also had another 6-5 guy in Davis, who was great attacking from the corner either down the baseline or to the lane. He was great using his body and scored at will around the basket as well as the 3 ball. He and Monterosa were terrorizing each other at their respective offensive ends of the court.
3. WLU had 17-18 point leads in both 1st half and 2nd half.
4. As WLU tried to get help on Davis, it left guys open for the 3 when they rotated the ball quickly. An lo and behold, Glenville actually started thinking and rotating the ball. And suddenly those open guys started nailing 3s. That is what got them back in the game.
5. What Glenville does not have is that 40 minute team focus - IMHO that cost them the game. One example, no. 15 nailed a 3 at the top of key at a critical juncture. He stops, throws his hands toward the sky and yells, instead of getting back on defense. It was only 2 seconds that he was stationary, but that was all it took. WLU threw a pass from out of bounds to Grossenbacher who was sprinting down the court on the defense to offense transition. No. 15 was two steps slow and Grossenbacher got fouled on the layup attempt. 2nd example, in OT and down by 6, Glenville had to foul. They did not deny the ball to Hoehn, who is a 90+% FT shooter. No way he should have touched the ball on the in bounds pass.
6. WLU starters logged heavy minutes. Everyone at least 35 minutes. Dennis had 44. Very limited subbing. My guess is that some players did not match up well with Glenville's team.
7. Griffin is becoming an inside outside force and is rebounding well. Very aggressive and effective. Much like Monterosa in style. 4 WLU players had over 20 pts (Monterosa, Griffin, Hoehn, Dennis), with grossenbacher having about 14 points.
8. Glenville did something I did not understand. in the 2nd half, when they were shooting foul shots, they conceded the rebound on a missed FT by having their other 4 players walk back to the defensive end of the court. Were they tired? I don't know. Had not seen that before. Any thoughts on why?

[cavsfan94]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

FINAL (in OT):
West Liberty: 108
Glenville St.: 105

Not a WLU fan, but I'm kinda shocked at this result and how close it was.

[FlyHawk98]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

West Lib 94

Charleston 62

West Lib had 5 guys score in double figures again. Game was over pretty early and the toppers were in cruise control for most of the game.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I like your assessment Columbus. This version of the Toppers is a bit different than past ones which is a little scary. To your assessment, I would add that Crutch is learning how best to utilize this years teams strengths and weaknesses as well. Were not hitting 3's at as high a % as in the past and that is disconcerting to me. But as you correctly point out, we seem to be playing better D than in the past and we overall seem a bit more athletic...both these things should pay dividends when/if we make the tourney.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I understand your concern. However, I think this team has the potential to be one of their strongest teams by March, but they could lose some along the way. I think the reason for some of the close games is that the "blending" of this team has been much more challenging and time consuming than most years for the following reasons:

1) Injuries - Lost a great shooter who played as a true freshman in Evan French. Clay G, who started the first game of the season has been out and is just working his way back. Smith is coming back from a year long layoff. So that is probably worth 5% on the team 3 pt shooting stats.
2) New players starting in Monterosa
3) New Player in Griffin, who needs time to adjust to the style.
4) Shooting a little less accurately from 3 - 35.2% versus 40.9% last year.
5) All of the teams in the MEC have improved - The "WLU effect" - rising tide lifts all boats
6) Dennis is struggling at the foul line - flat arc and not enough rotation. If he fixes that, it will present a dilemma for opponents who choose to foul him. Probably worth 4-5 points a game

WV State has beaten some decent teams. I did not expect a easy game. I listened to the game (ugh - spoiled by video). It would have been a 20 point win if the Bauer kid from Xenia, who is a great shooter, did not go nuts in the last 4 minutes.

Good signs for this team -
1) Defensive skills - they have the athletic ability to guard people aggressively and get turnovers without fouling. They are winning when they are getting out-shot. That did not use to happen. Grossenbacher and monterosa are shot-blocking threats
2) With the WV State game, Griffin is starting to really come on. Taking it to the rack and hitting the 3, ala monterosa.
3) Clay hopefully will be full strength by February - it is really tough for a frosh to see playing time, much less start as he did at the beginning of the year.
4) Monterosa may become an unstoppable force


Stat 2016-2017 2015-2016
FG % 48.9% 49.8%
3 PT 35.2% 40.9%
FT 73% 73%
Rebounds 40.7 42.5
Turnovers 8.7 11.2
Opponent's TO 17.1 14.7

[IUP Extra Mile]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Yes, you're spoiled ... 10-1 is 10-1.

From my own observations (if you value that for anything), I'd grade Ship and Fairmont as a tie for No. 1 right now. Ship has, my opinion, the best player in the Region in Sleva and a great outside game. Fairmont has D1 athleticism and size.

The next wave, in no order, would be IUP, WL, Wheeling and Kuztown -- with East Stroud gaining speed fast.

ND needs a big win to vault up to Tier 2.

Tier 3 is a jumbled mess right now.

That's actually an impressive top 6 for the region--3 MEC, and 3 PSAC...and CIAA nowhere to be found.... There could be some wars in that regional, and I think you're right, it's early, but have trouble seeing those 6 not get in... The last spot remaining could go ND OH / Charleston / SRU / ESU....bc the CIAA has to get one auto bid...

Shaping up to be very competitive...it's not WL vs Field or WL and IUP vs Field like some recent ones...

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Yes, you're spoiled ... 10-1 is 10-1.

From my own observations (if you value that for anything), I'd grade Ship and Fairmont as a tie for No. 1 right now. Ship has, my opinion, the best player in the Region in Sleva and a great outside game. Fairmont has D1 athleticism and size.

The next wave, in no order, would be IUP, WL, Wheeling and Kuztown -- with East Stroud gaining speed fast.

ND needs a big win to vault up to Tier 2.

Tier 3 is a jumbled mess right now.

[IUP Extra Mile]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

West Liberty beat WV State 100-93.

Lead was pushed out to around 18 points early in the second half. WV State came back to at least make the game entertaining in the last 3-4 minutes.

West Lib had 5 guys score in double figures with Grossenbacher leading the way with 24.

It's been a weird season for the hilltoppers...4th in the country, only loss to #2 Fairmont, but I can't figure out if I'm a "spoiled" fan, who is so used to 20 point wins, and thinks this rendition of the hilltoppers is their least powerful of the past 5 years...or maybe I just figure 10-1 is good, wins are good, and leave it alone...I don't like all the close games, to be honest...I thot WV State would be a 30 pt win...it was 20 late, but ended up close...Someone slap me if I'm "that" spoiled fan, who expects a final 4 every year....

Is this team capable of winning the region?

[FlyHawk98]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

West Liberty beat WV State 100-93.

Lead was pushed out to around 18 points early in the second half. WV State came back to at least make the game entertaining in the last 3-4 minutes.

West Lib had 5 guys score in double figures with Grossenbacher leading the way with 24.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Charleston's (9-1) upcoming week: Wheeling Jesuit, West Liberty and Fairmont.

Time to see if that 9-1 is for real.

That's just a brutal, brutal week.

[Chevydude89]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Hilltoppers back into action tonite after a long break. Several games tonite i see.