West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

He's at that weird size. He's 6'5" or so (depending what day of week it is) but pencil thin. Not sure he has good enough guard skills and probably too small to play underneath at this level unless he puts on some serious bulk.

I think he's more in the 6'3" range to be honest. There are media photos of him and IUP's freshman Malik Miller standing beside each other and Malik is taller. Miller is 6'4".

I could still see IUP going after him. Humphries and Miller are very close friends.

All I want for XMAS is one 6'9", 245 lb. power forward. Just one. Doesn't even have to start ... just a banger off the bench.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[QUOTE=IUPbigINDIANS;1993271]Humphries numbers are probably a little hard to judge ... most of those JUCOs play glorified street ball with very little (compared to what we're used to seeing) set offenses, etc.

That said if that 8.6 doesn't increase he may be back on the Hilltop. He won't have D1's lining up for him -- as I'm sure we has told by the underworld of JUCO and AAU. [QUOTE]

I was concerned when we started coranating him as a star and starter from day one before he even bounced a basketball in a WLU practice. Would he have had a place in the lineup at WLU? Sure, but probably not as a starter. He would have been a valuable 6th or 7th man this year and perhaps a spot starter. Next year he possibly would have moved into the starting lineup.

I don't think he EVER comes to WLU. Crutch prefers players with 4 years of elgability...followed distantly by D1 xfers and then DII xfers with proven performance. I'm sure he has brought in a JUCO player at some point in the past but I can't think of one at the moment.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Fairmont State 134
Davis & Elkins 110

Quite a defensive battle last night ...

244 points scored in 40 minutes ... wow.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Humphries numbers are probably a little hard to judge ... most of those JUCOs play glorified street ball with very little (compared to what we're used to seeing) set offenses, etc.

That said if that 8.6 doesn't increase he may be back on the Hilltop. He won't have D1's lining up for him -- as I'm sure we has told by the underworld of JUCO and AAU.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Lot's of panic on this site over 1 loss. As for the recruiting, it's easy to forget that Chuckie Humphries 6-6 (think rebounding) was a part of this class and did not qualify late------ and enrolled at Polk State JC in Florida. Finding a replacement that late in the cycle at any NCAA level is not easy. Bo Justice (3pt shooter) also transferred out late to Valdosta State. Finally WLU has lost to FSU 3 of the last 4 years and took what is probably their best team down to the wire on their home court . WL will be fine.

peaking of both:

Humphries is averaging 8.6 ppg on 35% shooting (31% from 3 pt range).
Beau Justice is averaging 13.7 ppg on 48% shooting (41% from 3).

[Layton]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Picks up commit from will yoakum 6'5 SG from Delaware Ohio http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4882627/will-yoakum

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Not sure if you're just throwing out a general number, but WL has never shot 50% as a team for a season. Generally around 39-41%. This year 3pt fg% is statistically down about 5 percentage points at 36%, although we are making about 11 per game vs. 12 pg last year. It's early, so these numbers could go either way.

50 was a bit of a stretch but we are currently sitting at 36.3%. Only once in the last 8 seasons have we finished below 40% from 3 (that being 39.7% in 13-14). What has me really concerned is the 29%, 15% and 25% from three we've shot in the last two games and earlier against WCU. Granted, the sample size is small, but absent the Urbana game were we shot 60%, WLU is shooting 33% from three range which would be almost a 10% dip from a typical WLU team. That is a HEALTH drop in production particular for a team that relies so heavily on the three point ball to be effective. There is time to turn things around but the fact that the last two games have been sub-30% doesn't inspire confidence.


Nova Southeast is not a squad to take lightly even though they are 2-4. One of those W's came over #20 So Conn and they also took #9 Barry to the wire before losing by 6.

[DownLow55]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

This tells you everything you need to know about WLUs "inside game" - WLUs leading offensive rebounder yesterday was our back up PG...All 5'9"es of Brady Arnold had 3 offensive rebounds compared to the 2 that our 6'9" "big man" had. The reason teams dont respect our inside game is because we dont have one. Years past when we were shooting 50% from 3, that didnt matter...but now that we are shooting 30%, it means a whole lot!

Not sure if you're just throwing out a general number, but WL has never shot 50% as a team for a season. Generally around 39-41%. This year 3pt fg% is statistically down about 5 percentage points at 36%, although we are making about 11 per game vs. 12 pg last year. It's early, so these numbers could go either way.

[IUP Extra Mile]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Agree with alot of the aforementioned theories and reasoning...(even mine, up there) They are really operating with out any inside game what so ever...Gross provides great DEFENSIVE rebounding and shot blocking, but won't go in the paint...and over the last 4-5 years, they've some pretty good offensive rebounders...Cockburn, Hester, Morrow... but this team is one and done, so far.

Agree with Down Low....they had a 7 pt lead in each half, and couldn't hang on...on the road...they will be fine...Maybe with the iron 7, they aren't pressing as much bc of fatigure, foul trouble, etc..

Like what smith is bringing...and monteroso..(Good call Flyhawk--you said he was a stud....32 pts on Fairmont on 13-16 shooting is all you need to know)

Get Meiney and Clay back...and they'll be in the convo for hosting...but the stinkin' Atlantic region is BEASTLY....Kutztown, Ship, IUP, Fairmont, WJ and WL....all 6 could win the region.... Where are those Midwest posters who talk about our top heavy region...

[FlyHawk98]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Our guys missed a lot of layups that even I could make. We also had a few unforced turnovers and ill advised shots that might as well have been turnovers.

Truth is, we still have some inexperience playing on the floor. Losing Seger is most likely hard to overcome from a mental standpoint. Meaning, we have yet to find who will replace him from a leadership standpoint.

It will all workout, and I think we might learn/get better from a close loss such as this. We know we have an excellent coaching staff who will coach these guys up. There is no doubt this team will get better as the season progresses.

[DownLow55]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

We are really missing Clay and Eric without them we have no depth. Griffin and Primmer don't play he's still red shirting the two freshman French is out for the year so that leaves you with 7 yes SEVEN players trying to win games plus their poor shooting won't win you many games. Even then kirkbride doesn't give you very good minutes most of the time I didn't realize how bad of a spot we are in right now does anyone know when we might get those two back. As good as crutch is I think he really crapped the bed this recruiting cycle and it's showing now

Lot's of panic on this site over 1 loss. As for the recruiting, it's easy to forget that Chuckie Humphries 6-6 (think rebounding) was a part of this class and did not qualify late------ and enrolled at Polk State JC in Florida. Finding a replacement that late in the cycle at any NCAA level is not easy. Bo Justice (3pt shooter) also transferred out late to Valdosta State. Finally WLU has lost to FSU 3 of the last 4 years and took what is probably their best team down to the wire on their home court . WL will be fine.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

This tells you everything you need to know about WLUs "inside game" - WLUs leading offensive rebounder yesterday was our back up PG...All 5'9"es of Brady Arnold had 3 offensive rebounds compared to the 2 that our 6'9" "big man" had. The reason teams dont respect our inside game is because we dont have one. Years past when we were shooting 50% from 3, that didnt matter...but now that we are shooting 30%, it means a whole lot!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

My 'outsider view' from watching a few games now is opponents aren't respecting the inside game and because of it ... doing a much better job contesting the trey ball.

Shepherd did a pretty good job defensively on WL. That close game wasn't all poor shooting. The Rams forced a lot of those bad shots.

I totally agree on Dennis. He needs cut loose. It's like he's playing on egg shells and with a leash on.

It's still fairly early. My guess ... this is just some growing pains with adjusting to new roles. Fairmont started lights out last year, too. But, you're on to something with the offensive rebounding. That needs fixed.

It's going to be a big one at the KCAC on Dec. 19 - just stinks it's over break. Fairmont does have the look of an extremely good team. It showed a lot coming back yesterday and in the last 5 minutes of the Wheeling game.

All of this said, it sounds like WL still could have (should have?) won yesterday.

[Layton]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

We are really missing Clay and Eric without them we have no depth. Griffin and Primmer don't play he's still red shirting the two freshman French is out for the year so that leaves you with 7 yes SEVEN players trying to win games plus their poor shooting won't win you many games. Even then kirkbride doesn't give you very good minutes most of the time I didn't realize how bad of a spot we are in right now does anyone know when we might get those two back. As good as crutch is I think he really crapped the bed this recruiting cycle and it's showing now

[IUP Extra Mile]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I'm not putting this mini-slump (Loss to Fairmont, close call vs Shepherd) all on the 3 pt percentages....9 / 30 yesterday is not terrible. 6-41 vs Sheperd is flat out terrble. They gave up far too many O rebounds / 2nd chance pts to Fairmont. Fairmont had 15 O Boards!..Over the years, this has been a bugaboo for the Hilltoppers...they let teams have too many chances. Also, the offense seemed stagnant too often yesterday. Personally, I don't think anyone in d2 can stay in front of David Dennis consistently, yet, he's chucking 3's...Too many 3's. He's option #7 from 3 pt range...

Monteroso can create, B Smith is solid and crafty.. Hoehn has been up and down this season...one good, one bad, etc..(and his 3 pt attempt with 20 secs left in the half yesterday was a KILLER...should've taken last shot, instead, FSU gets 5 pts in 20 secs) A sr should know better... Defintely miss Seger who could get shot off vs anyone when needed... I do think missing Meiney and Clay is impacting, but no excuse...

Also, Fairmont beat WL fair and square yesterday, but I still can't see them going anywhere in the E8...and that sounds like sour grapes, but it shouldn't. I'm pretty objective, and I think they turn it over, and shoot inconsistently. I know they beat #1 and #4 teams in the country this week, so I know I shouldn't say that they aren't worthy, but it's my feeling that they can be a team that gets upset, maybe we say that...But they made the plays yesterday, and WL didn't...