West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Scrub]

I recall being told not so long ago that there where just no bigs in DII that could play WLUs style and the few that did exist where going to be sucked up by a certain DII program in south Florida. Zero chance they were going to make the trip to WLU. Same breath I was also told that size didn't matter at all in WLUs style...a team filled with 5'10" guys was equally as capable as any collection of 6'7" players. In this era of "position less" basketball and "advanced stats", height was an irrelevant factoid that signified nothing and about as important as W/L record on determining if a team was actually "good "

New coach rolls into town and suddenly, seemingly every big in the DII country seems to be beating a path to WLU and NOT Ft Lauderdale. Also hearing urgings to use them as guards and their ability to be a two way guard. Leads me to a couple of questions:

1. Did the DII landscape just get suddenly rich with bigs who could play WLU's style?

2. If we are truly "position less" why the push to play the bigs as guards and hype their guard characteristics? Last I checked, guard was a position just like forward and, heaven forbid, even CENTER!

3. The most important stat is STILL the scoreboard and W/L!

All sarcasm aside, I suspect the actual answer is a pretty simple one. It seems as though Howlett (in true Crutch fashion) had no concern for height. That was very low on his checklist of attributes in a recruit. Lamberti, on the other hand, clearly places a higher priority on size in recruiting than Howlett or Crutch ever did.

What remains to be seen is how that plays out in this context. If placing a higher priority on size in a recruit, it might be possible that these recruits will be less well-rounded in other aspects of their game. Will the size offset those other deficiencies and the winning ways stay the same? Or do the other attributes that Howlett & Crutch prized more highly make a significant difference and WLU's tall-but-otherwise-flawed team will get exposed in other ways and win less often? Remains to be seen. Should make for an interesting season.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Bryce Butler is now an assistant coach at Hempfield high school in PA, where brother Austin is the head coach.
Congrats Bryce!

[boatcapt]

I recall being told not so long ago that there where just no bigs in DII that could play WLUs style and the few that did exist where going to be sucked up by a certain DII program in south Florida. Zero chance they were going to make the trip to WLU. Same breath I was also told that size didn't matter at all in WLUs style...a team filled with 5'10" guys was equally as capable as any collection of 6'7" players. In this era of "position less" basketball and "advanced stats", height was an irrelevant factoid that signified nothing and about as important as W/L record on determining if a team was actually "good "

New coach rolls into town and suddenly, seemingly every big in the DII country seems to be beating a path to WLU and NOT Ft Lauderdale. Also hearing urgings to use them as guards and their ability to be a two way guard. Leads me to a couple of questions:

1. Did the DII landscape just get suddenly rich with bigs who could play WLU's style?

2. If we are truly "position less" why the push to play the bigs as guards and hype their guard characteristics? Last I checked, guard was a position just like forward and, heaven forbid, even CENTER!

3. The most important stat is STILL the scoreboard and W/L!

[Columbuseer]

FYI
WLU has received a commitment for 2026 from Maddox Bennett from Dubois PA.
Had offers from Cal, IUP, Clarion, Holy Family, Edinboro, etc.


Maddox Bennett (2026) Team Wildcat HGSL
"Is a big-time play making guard for his team. He is a sniper from long range, but he is also very smooth handling the basketball. Maddox is a true 2 way guard contributing on both ends of the floor."

https://x.com/i/status/1965887629049876753

"Highlights from Pro 16 finals in Bryan, Texas! 15 points per game 7.5 rebounds per game (18-30) from three (60%) 3-1 Record"

https://x.com/i/status/1948043891585737174

BTW, Maddox just happens to be 6-8.

[Columbuseer]

This season’s Hilltoppers may be much taller. I can envision as many as 2 or 3 in a platoon that are 6-7 to 6-9.
they are not back to the basket plodders either. All of them play like tall shooting guards. Very fundamentally sound. All can shoot the three.
strong rebounders. Strong defenders.

Muldowney 6-7 230 Irish National u23 3x3 team
Lattos 6-8 230 very complete high motor player very physical.
Abdullah 6-9 200 started as a freshman at coker
Coan 6-8 190 played extensively at Coker
Burton 6-9 190 redshirted at d1 citadel

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
For those going to wlu home football games, I heard that wlu men's basketball is scrimmaging around 10 am on game day. So if you are tailgating it would be an opportunity to see the team in action. Might be the sports highlight of the day. :-)

[boatcapt]

I'm surprised he didn't hop on the Indy bus with the rest. Did Ben offer him?

Hummm...Wouldn't offering a player who has not entered the portal be tampering?????

[Columbuseer]

I'm surprised he didn't hop on the Indy bus with the rest. Did Ben offer him?

Yes, if Dante were interested, Indy would have welcomed him. Coach Lamberti may have recruited him out of hs.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Good points. He has significantly improved in all aspects of his game.

I'm surprised he didn't hop on the Indy bus with the rest. Did Ben offer him?

[Columbuseer]

I think his final season will be his best. I could see him at 12+ points per game and the team leader in both steals and assists.

Good points. He has significantly improved in all aspects of his game.

[boatcapt]

I think his final season will be his best. I could see him at 12+ points per game and the team leader in both steals and assists.

Fifth year Senior and only returning player with game experience at WLU. Being the leader should not be a maybe, it should be a requirement.

[Topper_Hopper]

I think his final season will be his best. I could see him at 12+ points per game and the team leader in both steals and assists.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
bio Dante Spadafora rs sr. 6-0 160 lbs

Dante is leading by example in guiding the transition of so many new players on this year's team. His motor is running at 9000 rpm all the time. Fearless rebounder for his size as he has great anticipation. He is drilling threes from a deep range, reverting to his 44+% of the 23-24 season. He is also attacking the basket more frequently.
He has great vision and attacks the defense at speed, but under control. He has gained additional muscle and strength.
He is equally comfortable at shooting guard or point guard.

2025-25 (Junior): MEC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. …Played in 33 games with 31 starts....... averaging 24.1 minutes per game.... Scored 323 points (9.8 ppg.) with 127 rebounds (3.8 rpg.) had 100 assists (3.0 apg.) led the team in steals with 62 (1.8 spg.). Scored a career-high 29 points against Glenville State Feb.19, 2025. Had a career-high eight assists against Point Park Jan. 23, 2025. Pulled down a career-high eight rebounds twice against Bluefield State Nov.9, 2024 and against Concord March, 8 2025.............. Has 129 career - three's.


2023-24 (Sophomore): MEC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. …Played in 31 games, averaging 17.6 minutes per game. …Scored 267 points (8.6 ppg.) with 72 rebounds (2.3 rpg.). …Shot 45 percent (74-165) from the floor, 44 percent (59-133) from the 3-point arc and 85 percent (60-71) from the foul line.…12 double-figure scoring games. …Career-high 28 minutes at Charleston (12/6/23). …season-high 17points vs. Shippensburg (11/10/23). …Career-high 5 3FGs vs. Salem (1/24/24). …season-high 5 steals vs. Notre Dame (11/21/23). …season-high 5 rebounds vs. Fairmont State (2/17/24)

2022-23 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in 34 games, averaging 9.5 minutes per game. …Scored 91 points with 42 rebounds and 43 assists. …Shot 35 percent (25-72) from the floor, 35 percent (18-52) from the 3-point arc and 72 percent (23-32) from the foul line. …Career-high 12 points and 4 3FGs vs. Davis & Elkins (1/25/23). …Career-high 6 assists and 4 steals vs. Concord (2/11/23). …Career-high 5 rebounds at W.Va. Wesleyan (1/28/23)

2021-22 (Freshman): Redshirted at West Liberty due to injury

High School: Electrifying 4-time All-Pennsylvania guard led Our Lady of Sacred Heart to unbeaten state championship season as a senior. …Averaged nearly 20 points per game with 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 4.7 steals. …1,700+ career points

Off the Court: …He is majoring in Business Administration

[Columbuseer]

Fyi bio Xavier Harris jr. 6-2 180 lbs

He is solidly built, pass first point guard. He does not commit many turnovers and looks for open teammates rather than scoring.

Prior to WLU: Played at Coker University during the 2024-25 season........ Played in 29 games averaging 24 minutes, 6.5 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 2.9 apg....... Scored a season-high 18 at Emmanuel Ga. Nov.9, 2024. averaged 32% from three and a very good 3.4 assist to turnover ratio.

Played at Western Colorado University during the 2023-24 season....... Played in 28 games averaging 5.6 ppg. 1.8 rpg. and 1.6apg. ..... Scored a season-high 15 points vs. Texas A&M International Nov.17, 2023.

High School: Played at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, AZ. ......... He was a first team all-conference selection, and team MVP.

Off the court: He will major in Business Innovation.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Machi Chester appears to have committed to Henry Ford Community College a d2 junior college in Michigan.
He took a scary, horrific fall in a scrimmage against Cal PA in pre-season that kept him out for a long time before he was cleared to practice. A very nice young man. I wish him well.