West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Chevydude89]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Fairmont st lost twice to west lib last year. Tonite wlib escaped a loss to hang on like they are good at on a not so good shooting nite. But another win and continue to roll with a W

[cavsfan94]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

WLU defeats Shepherd 67-64

[MrAugustana]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Slowing down WLU is about the only route to beating the Toppers. But even there it depends on WLU shooting poorly from outside. That doesn't happen very often.

If you slow the game down but WLU drills 3 pointers, you lose by 30 with a game score of roughly 100-70.

I you run with the Toppers you lose 135-100.

Try to trade 3's with WLU and you lose 135-90.

If you slow the game down on BOTH ends with constant defensive pressure on the ball coming up and then pack a zone in while at the same time taking the full shot clock to kick it inside to your big's to get WLU's big in foul trouble, you might have a chance. BUUUUTTTT...few teams are capable of doing that over an entire game.

No matter how I try to set this up or frame it, I'm sure some WLU fans will take it the wrong way, but I promise I'm asking a legitimate question and not just trying to come in and talk trash.

With this breakdown in mind, out of curiosity, what have teams done the past several years in the post-season to top the Toppers? I have watched 8-10 regular season games for WLU at different times, but they usually win those handily, and I've seen at least one regular-season loss where an off shooting night did them in (maybe Fairmont last year?...did Fairmont beat them?...I can't remember now), but what kinds of things were Stonehill, Metro State, Central Missouri, Lincoln Memorial, etc. able to do that average schools don't seem to be able to do against the Hilltoppers? Or did all of those games fall into the strategy you broke down above?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I'm going to tune in tomorrow for the Fairmont vs Wheeling game. I see Wheeling's ranking but haven't heard much about them so far.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Slowing down WLU is about the only route to beating the Toppers. But even there it depends on WLU shooting poorly from outside. That doesn't happen very often.

If you slow the game down but WLU drills 3 pointers, you lose by 30 with a game score of roughly 100-70.

I you run with the Toppers you lose 135-100.

Try to trade 3's with WLU and you lose 135-90.

If you slow the game down on BOTH ends with constant defensive pressure on the ball coming up and then pack a zone in while at the same time taking the full shot clock to kick it inside to your big's to get WLU's big in foul trouble, you might have a chance. BUUUUTTTT...few teams are capable of doing that over an entire game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

"I am actually surprised that more teams don't try to slow it down vs West Liberty."


I totally agree. You've seen the few times Joe and Crutch have played IUP has tried to do everything possible to slow it down. In the 2014 IUP win down there they slowed it down to the point you could see it was frustrating the WL players. Even that double-OT game the year before (WL win) both stayed under 100 points. Two instant classics.

It baffles me teams try to get in to that run-n-gun with them. You may see some stay close for a bit but then you look up and they're panting and down 30 points. It would be interesting to hear some other MEC points of view (if there were any other MEC basketball posters).

Anyway ... pretty exciting week. The games on the Pick 'Em started to get a lot harder. Time to see some early contenders and pretenders.

[FlyHawk98]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I'm telling you guys, Monteroso is the real deal.

When he was in high school he used to come up and play pick up games with the team for fun. He more than held his own back then. He's also only a JR on the basketball floor according to the roster.

The last two games were NOT an anomaly for him.

[IUP Extra Mile]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

That was an ugly first half. Great game plan by lemoyne and players were patient against press. Rare to see any team miss so many easy shots in first half. Also spacing was a little off that slowed our ball rotation on offense. Great adjustment in 2nd half to attack basket and get fouled. wlu also ratcheted up the pressure. When lemoyne came out for 2nd half warm-up I knew they were done. They were not even close on their warmup shots. Sign their leg were heavy. The cumulative effect of wlu pressure on mental and physical fatigue is hard to withstand for entire game.

I am actually surprised that more teams don't try to slow it down vs West Liberty. Belein also did this at WVW when he was there. I'm not saying that any of these teams would win anymore, but it gives them a fighting chance. Look at the past 7-8 years, teams that try and run with WL lose. Point blank...It's like 95% winning percentage. Teams that lower the possessions, and take good shots, have a BETTER chance..not saying they'll win, but they have a better chance. And WL at some point probably gets frustrated and takes a few bad ones, and you never know. I marvel at the coaches that try and run with them...that's not coaching, that's having fun...there's a difference. Kudos to Lemoyne for the effort.

Are Monteroso's past two games a sign that he has shaken off the rust, and will become this teams leading scorer? Or were they an anomaly?

Didn't see the livestream, but saw in Box score Meininger played a min--that's good. But what is up with Clay, Fr?.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

That was an ugly first half. Great game plan by lemoyne and players were patient against press. Rare to see any team miss so many easy shots in first half. Also spacing was a little off that slowed our ball rotation on offense. Great adjustment in 2nd half to attack basket and get fouled. wlu also ratcheted up the pressure. When lemoyne came out for 2nd half warm-up I knew they were done. They were not even close on their warmup shots. Sign their leg were heavy. The cumulative effect of wlu pressure on mental and physical fatigue is hard to withstand for entire game.

[FlyHawk98]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

At least we played defense lol.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Geeeez...Talk about doing everything you can to lose a game! WLU 76 Lemoyne 53 final. We shot 34% and 28% from 3 in the first half and scored only 27 points. Better in the second (52%, 62% and 49 points) to get a win by over 20 but this ain't going to work against a truly good team.

BAD game by everyone except Monteroso (9/15 shooting and 6/8 from the charity stripe).

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

WLU lands it's first two recruits for next year:

Marlon Moore, 6'5", 215, Forward from St Benadictine HS OH. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VuequOCv0s

Keegan Saben, 6'3", 195, Combo Guard from Centerville HS OH. http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6168444/...eead5d90e87601

I like Saben...traditional WLU type guy who has good outside stroke and can handle the ball. Particularly like Moore...not a typical WLU type as he seems to work inside first. That said, he does have a nice little jumper! Imagine him at 230!!

One player to go to replace our three graduating Seniors.

[boatcapt]

Re: Brandon Smith - wlu emerging secret weapon?

I see Smith as the critical 6th man and spot starter at shooting guard and front court. He is proving to be a very steady producer who can do everything well. I'd be comfortable with him as a starter but I think right now, he's more valuable at the 6th man. There is usually a "shake up" that occurs in the WLU starting line up when the starting 5 get a little complacent and the Toppers lose a game that they shouldn't. If that happens this year, Smith would probably be moved into the starting 5 due to his versatility.

[Columbuseer]

Brandon Smith - wlu emerging secret weapon?

I don't think Monterosa is a secret weapon any longer...lol

With each game I am increasingly impressed by Brandon Smith.
1) great shooter - I expected that given that he hit 45% of 3s two years ago before his injury.
2) when he goes inside he does great spin moves off the dribble while remaining on balance ( like hoehn).
3) He keeps his focus on the basket and makes the shot after contact (like Dennis).
4) great stroke on foul shot.

If he works on anticipating shots and getting better position to rebound in order to become a force on the boards (ala Hester) he could push for major minutes.

Comments?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

He tried to fix Le Moyne with band-aids. He took a whole class of used parts. There is some talent on the roster but not nearly enough for this game. WL by 33.