West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

FYI
Team Single Game Advanced Stats
Red cell indicates 20% below D1 median value, green cell is above 90^th percentile D1 value (where D1 data available)
D1 values are used for comparison because similar D2 stats are not readily available.

WLU at WV Wesleyan 2/7/26 game 22
Statistic	WV Wesleyan	WLU	WLU Season Avg	WLU Season Totals	2024 D1 Median Value For Comparison
FGM	28	37	763	726	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
FGA	64	78	1560	1482	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
FTM	17	23	397	374	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
FTA	25	31	530	499	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
Three Point FGM	8	13	234	221	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
three Point FGA	32	40	676	636	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
Off REB	6	15	257	242	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
Def REB	27	33	565	532	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
Total REB	33	48	822	774	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
Personal Fouls	23	20	435	415
Assists	19	27	420	393	d1 median 13.7 90th percentile 16.5
Turnovers	21	14	274	260	d1 median 11.6 90th percentile 10.2
Blocks	2	4	53	52	d1 median 3.4 90th percentile 4.7
Steals	6	14	273	259	d1 median 7.0 90th percentile 8.7
Turnovers Forced	14	21	451	430	d1 median 12.4 90th pctile 14.6
Points off Turnovers	11	31			N/A
Points in the Paint	36	48			N/A
Second Chance Points	2	15			N/A
Fast Break Points	19	26			N/A
Bench Points	30	44			N/A
Points	81	110	2157	2047	D1 median 74.9 90th pctile 81
Games Played	21	22	22	22
Number of Possessions	90	91	78	1720	median 70.7 90th pctile 74.6
Pts per Possession	0.90	1.21	1.19	1.19	median 1.034 90th pctile 1.134
Effective Possession Ratio EPR =(Possessions + Off. Rebounds - Turnovers) / Possessions	0.83	1.011	0.990	0.990	median .953 90th pctile .994
Offensive Rating - pts/100 possessions	90	121	119	119	median 103.4 90th pctile 113.4
Shooting Efficiency (FGM +0.5*3ptFGM) /FGA	50.0%	55.8%	56%	56%	median 50.5% 90th pctile 55.4%
True Shooting % (0.5*(PTS*(FGA+(0.44*FTA)))	54.0%	60.0%	60%	60%	median 54.2% 90th pctile 58.9%
FT %	68.0%	74.2%	75%	75%	median 71.9% 90th pctile 77.9%
FG%	43.8%	47.4%	49%	49%	median 44.1% 90th pctile 47.9%
3PT%	25.0%	32.5%	35%	35%	median 33.3% 90th pctile 37.4%
2PT%	62.5%	63.2%	60%	60%	median is about 47.8% 90th pctile 50.8%
Turnovers Per Game	21	14	12	12	median 12.1 90th pctile 10.4
Turnover Margin (+ is good)	-7	7	20	7.7	D1 median 0.6 90th percentile 3
Turnover %	23.3%	15.4%	351%	15%	typicall D1 is 15% to 20%
Forced Live Ball Turnovers % of total Forced Turnovers	42.9%	66.7%	60%	60%	estimate: median(steals)/median(turnovers)
Points per Opponent Turnover	0.79	1.48	N/A	N/A	N/A
Assists % of FG Made	67.9%	73.0%	54%	54%	median 51.6% 90th pctile 59.8%
Assist to Turnover Ratio	0.90	1.93	1.51	1.51	median 1.087 90th pctile 1.487
Defensive Rebound %	64.3%	84.6%	69%	69%	median 72.3% 90th pctile 75.9%
Offensive Rebound %	15.4%	35.7%	30%	30%	median 28.1% 90th pctile 33.7%
Scoring Margin	-29	29	13	-278	Median 3 pts, 90th pctile 11 pts.

[Columbuseer]

FYI

A Dummy’s Observations on WLU at WV Wesleyan (WVW) 2/7/26 WLU 110 – WVW 81

WV Wesleyan (WVW) Preview
WVW is a private school with about 950 undergraduate students. To remain afloat, they are accepting 95% of applicants and do NOT require ACT or SAT tests for admission. WVW comes into the WLU game at 2-18, and are losing by 20 points a game. They are mediocre shooters, averaging 42% FG and 33% on about 23 3FG attempts per game. However, they have some elite 3FG shooters in Jean-Baptiste 51%, Macijauskas 41%, Litton 37% and Cirovic 34%. Besides shooting, they are turnover prone at 16.5 turnovers per game. They only average 12.6 assists per game, led by Janciauskas at 2.9 assists per game. Their vulnerabilities appear to be turnovers and lack of quality depth, even though no one plays over 24 minutes a game and 10 players average over 12.6 minutes.

WV Wesleyan (WVW) Game Plan
The WVW strategy seemed to be:

• PASSED – In the half court offense, rotate the ball rapidly and do not let the ball stick in order to get an open look shot.
• PASSED – Pack the defense inside and invite WLU to shoot from outside. WVW came out with various zone defenses. WLU shot 40 threes, which are more threes than is desirable. This helped WVW rest and slowed the game down as WLU took some time to get an open shot. Later, after WLU started cracking the zone defense, WVW went to man-to-man.
• PASSED – Play tight half-court defense. Fatigue, despite frequent subbing, ultimately caused them to get a step slow on defense in the last 4 minutes of the first half and the last 9 minutes of the second half.
• PASSED–Take the open three and try to score when WVW has numbers advantage after breaking the press. with WLU. This strategy worked in the first half. WLU only had a 4-point lead with 4 minutes left in the half, before WVW faded late in the first half from fatigue.
• FAILED – Shoot above their 3 FG average. Early in the game, Litton and Jean-Baptiste could not miss from three, making threes in transition after breaking the press. However, this was not to last. WLU tightened up their defense on Jean Baptiste, and WVW started missing open 3FG looks in transition, WVW finished shooting only 25% on 8-32 3FG.
• FAILED – Substitute frequently to reduce fatigue. They played starters far too long in the first half; four players played 7.47 minutes in the first half before going to the bench. At the 11-minute mark of the first, one starter played the rest of the first half and a second player played 8 minutes. The seeds of fatigue had been sown, resulting in a 11-point lead at the half. Three players played over 30 minutes for the game.
• FAILED –Win the rebounding stats. WLU won the rebounding battle 48-33 and won offensive rebounds 15-6.
• FAILED – Limit turnovers. WVW collapsed against the WLU pressure, committing 21 turnovers, of which 14 were steals. WLU scored 31 points off turnovers to only 11 for WVW.
• FAILED –Keep the WLU score under 80. WLU scored 110 points on 91 possessions. WLU attempted more FG, 78-64

Keys to the WLU Game
From the opening tip, as usual, WLU was playing with great intensity. On offense, WLU was very patient in rapidly passing the ball, until they got an open look. WLU’s offensive rating was an outstanding 120 (points per 100 possessions) compared to just 90 for WVW. WLU’s effective shooting % was 55.8% to 60% for WVW (90^th percentile d1 is 55.4%). Their true shooting % was 60% for WLU to 54% for WVW (90^th percentile d1 is 59%).

• IMHO, the difference in the game was West Liberty’s pressure forcing turnovers and creating fatigue. Fatigue lowered the shooting percentages of WVW, caused turnovers, allowed WLU to get easy scores in the second half., and caused tired WVW players to commit reaching fouls.
• WLU forced 21 turnovers on 23% of WVW’s possessions, of which 67% were live ball turnovers on 14 steals. WLU scored 1.48 points per opponent turnover, compared to 0.79 for WVW. WLU scored 31 points off turnovers to just 11 for WVW.
• WLU shared the ball very well. WLU had 73% of goals from assists. 90^th percentile for D1 is 59.8%.
• WLU was subpar from three, averaging 32 % for the game, despite getting many open looks. However, 4 players shot 40% or greater from three.
• WLU has quality depth. WLU played many different combinations of lineups, with no apparent drop-off in production. WLU averages 96 points per game, but their leading scorer averages only 13 points per game. Eight different players have been the leading scorer in games this season.

Areas for Improvement for WLU

• Initially, WLU was slow in getting the ball to the elbow which is a gap in the zone. This game was good experience against the zone. In the second half, WLU performed much better against the zone.
• WLU players need to be aware of opponents playing the passing lane to intercept a casual pass.

[Scrub]

That was certainly a surprising result after a very game Senators squad kept it a 4-point game when WLU visited Elkins back in January. I hope it's a sign that the Hilltoppers are growing and improving.

[Columbuseer]

FYI
Team Single Game Advanced Stats

• Red cell indicates 20% below D1 median value, green cell is above 90^th percentile D1 value (where D1 data available)

WVU vs Davis & Elkins 2/4/26 Game 21
Statistic	Davis & Elkins	WLU	WLU Season Avg	WLU Season Totals	2024 D1 Median Value For Comparison
FGM	28	45	35	726	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
FGA	60	88	71	1482	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
FTM	12	10	31	374	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
FTA	16	13	24	499	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
Three Point FGM	6	11	11	221	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
three Point FGA	17	34	30	636	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
Off REB	3	11	12	242	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
Def REB	29	26	25	532	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
Total REB	32	37	37	774	N/A - sensitive to number of possessions
Personal Fouls	12	16	20	415
Assists	15	22	19	393	d1 median 13.7 90th percentile 16.5
Turnovers	25	10	12	260	d1 median 11.6 90th percentile 10.2
Blocks	6	6	2	52	d1 median 3.4 90th percentile 4.7
Steals	5	15	12	259	d1 median 7.0 90th percentile 8.7
Turnovers Forced	10	25	20	430	d1 median 12.4 90th pctile 14.6
Points off Turnovers	4	26	N/A		N/A
Points in the Paint	40	66	N/A		N/A
Second Chance Points	8	9	N/A		N/A
Fast Break Points	10	26	N/A		N/A
Bench Points	36	66	65		N/A
Points	74	111	97.5	2047	D1 median 74.9 90th pctile 81
Games Played	21	21	21	21
Number of Possessions	89	93	82	1720	median 70.7 90th pctile 74.6
Pts per Possession	0.83	1.20	1.19	1.19	median 1.034 90th pctile 1.134
Effective Possession Ratio EPR =(Possessions + Off. Rebounds - Turnovers) / Possessions	0.75	1.011	0.990	0.990	median .953 90th pctile .994
Offensive Rating - pts/100 possessions	83	120	119	119	median 103.4 90th pctile 113.4
Shooting Efficiency (FGM +0.5*3ptFGM) /FGA	51.7%	57.4%	56%	56%	median 50.5% 90th pctile 55.4%
True Shooting % (0.5*(PTS*(FGA+(0.44*FTA)))	55.2%	59.2%	60%	60%	median 54.2% 90th pctile 58.9%
FT %	75.0%	76.9%	75%	75%	median 71.9% 90th pctile 77.9%
FG%	46.7%	51.1%	49%	49%	median 44.1% 90th pctile 47.9%
3PT%	35.3%	32.4%	35%	35%	median 33.3% 90th pctile 37.4%
2PT%	51.2%	63.0%	60%	60%	median is about 47.8% 90th pctile 50.8%
Turnovers Per Game	25	10	12	12	median 12.1 90th pctile 10.4
Turnover Margin (+ is good)	-15	15	20	8.1	D1 median 0.6 90th percentile 3
Turnover %	28.1%	10.8%	15%	15%	typicall D1 is 15% to 20%
Forced Live Ball Turnovers % of total Forced Turnovers	50.0%	60.0%	60%	60%	estimate: median(steals)/median(turnovers)
Points per Opponent Turnover	0.40	1.04	N/A	N/A	N/A
Assists % of FG Made	53.6%	48.9%	54%	54%	median 51.6% 90th pctile 59.8%
Assist to Turnover Ratio	0.60	2.20	1.51	1.51	median 1.087 90th pctile 1.487
Defensive Rebound %	72.5%	89.7%	70%	70%	median 72.3% 90th pctile 75.9%
Offensive Rebound %	10.3%	27.5%	32%	32%	median 28.1% 90th pctile 33.7%
Scoring Margin	-37	37	17	-359	Median 3 pts, 90th pctile 11 pts.

[Columbuseer]

FYI

A Dummy’s Observations on WLU vs Davis & Elkins 2/4/26
WLU 111 – D&E 74

Davis & Elkins (DE) Preview
DE has 683 students (as of 2023). DE comes into the WLU game with a 7-13 record and 4-7 in MEC. They have lost some games recently due to injured players. DE seemed to be using one of the common recruiting templates to challenge WLU – tall, long, and/or quick athletic players who can shoot the three and attack the rim in transition. They have depth, as 8 players play >= 18 minutes a game. Okoroji and Starks both shoot >=40% from three. Evans (6-7 15.5 ppg), Gray (6-7 16.5 ppg) and Adamczyk (6-0 11.8 ppg) are double figure scorers, with Roach (6-2) and Okoroji (6-5) at least 8 ppg. They have the potential to be a dangerous team in March.

Davis & Elkins (DE) Game Plan
The DE strategy seemed to be:

• PASSED – Shoot their average. They shot slightly above their average, helped by some hot shooting in the last 5 minutes of the game, when they were down by almost 40 points.

Stat	Season Avg	WLU Game Stat
FG %	46%	46.7%
3 FG %	33.7%	35.3%
FT %	73.3%	75%

• PASSED– Use their height and athletic ability to get the ball inside and attack the WLU defense in the half-court offense. They had 40 points in the paint.
• PASSED – Refrain from attacking the rim unless a layup were available; instead, set up the offense.
• FAILED – Limit the turnover margin. DE had 25 turnovers while forcing 10 WLU turnovers.
• FAILED – Limit fatigue by subbing frequently. DE players play far too long before a sub, especially given that they were playing their 3^rd game in 5 days. In the first half, there were 7 instances where a player played > 5.5 minutes before getting a rest. There were instances of players playing 10.8 and 12.5 minutes before a sub in the first half. They were physically exhausted by the 15-minute mark of the second half and had to sub more players.
• FAILED – control the boards. WLU outrebounded DE 37-32. WLU won offensive rebounds 11-3.

Keys to the WLU Game
WLU’s offensive rating was an elite 120 (points per 100 possessions) compared to poor 83 for DE (D1 90^th percentile is 113).'

WLU forced 25 turnovers, while committing only 10 turnovers. WLU scored 26 points off turnover to just 4 for DE. It illustrated how extreme fatigure affects cognition and decision-making. Some D&E passes were bizarre passes to no one in particular.

WLU played with great effort, subbing frequently, and putting severe mental stress on DE. DE fatigue made them a step slow on defense, allowing easy scores by WLU.

A key factor was bench scoring. WLU had 66 bench points to just 36 for DE. In addition, WLU had an outstanding 59.2% True Shooting %, compared to 55% for DE. 90^th percentile in D1 is 58.9%.

WLU only had assists on 48% on the FGs. However, this is misleading, for WLU was intercepting the ball and scoring layups on turnovers. They were sharing the bell extremely well.

Areas for Improvement for WLU
Like Charleston, DE was quick to exploit size mismatches inside. However, WLU has improved in this aspect since the Charleston game.

[Columbuseer]

Former Hilltopper Dalton Bolon just set a new world record for most 3-point shots made in 24 hours - 10,703!
He made 73% of his shots, so he actually attempted over 14,700 shots, which is one shot approximately every 6.8 seconds.
He did it to raise money for his WLU friend Trevor Cherry, who is battling stage 4 cancer. Dalton raised $23k to date.
The attached instagram link shows how you can donate.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUMqdoBjMbU/

[boatcapt]

It was extra-frustrating the year IUP pulled it off with WLU's own Shawn Dyer at the helm.

Dyer always seemed a bit to concerned with his game and scoring for my liking. He could shoot, no doubt about that...but as they say, his hands where a bit sticky. If he got the ball, pretty good chance he was going to jack up a shot. That's probably why he only started about a quarter of the games he play d on the Hilltop.

But when he was hot, he was a sight to be hold!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It was extra-frustrating the year IUP pulled it off with WLU's own Shawn Dyer at the helm.

The team that beat WL that night would beat this year's IUP team by 40 points. They are on different planets, roster-wise and mentality-wise. Daddy would put up 40 and 20 against IUP this year.

Consider Brandon Norfleet was the 4th or 5th option on that team, and they were nasty defensively.

That was a great game. I was there. Two great teams. And, yes, IUP had them visibly frustrated that night. Most teams cannot do that to WL or modern Gannon.

[boatcapt]

This really the best philosophy to beat that system.

1) Inbound the ball as quickly as possible after WL/Gannon/etc. score.
2) Get it over half court as quickly as possible.
3) If an easy lay up is given, you take it.
4) If no easy lay up then you peal out and set up the half court offense.
5) By no means do you ever get in a rat race with this system. That's what this system wants.

You have to beat them with advanced stats! ;-) If you didn't have a higher Effective Shooting Percentage or a higher Layups Over Replacements Replacement but you scored more than WLU, can you REALLY claim victory??!! I mean, if your team is not in the 90th Percentile of D1 teams, do you really even deserve to win??!! Hahahaha

Seriously though, that's a good list. I would add that the HC needs to be willing to sub early and often. A WLU game is a game of attrition where they are trying to exhaust you for the last 2 mins of the game. Coach needs to realize that and keep his top players as fresh as possible for that late game push. I've seen more than one WLU opponent "win" the first 3/4 if the game only to run out of gas down the stretch and loose a squeeker.

[IUPalum]

It was extra-frustrating the year IUP pulled it off with WLU's own Shawn Dyer at the helm.

2015

[Scrub]

IUP had success a few times earlier in Joe's career and even had success 3 years ago in the region final but unfortunately, that IUP team couldn't make a shot and Brice Butler couldn't miss on that night.

It was extra-frustrating the year IUP pulled it off with WLU's own Shawn Dyer at the helm.

[IUPalum]

Absolutely. When teams smartly pull it out and start to set up an offense, it's so frustrating to the system (the players, coaches, and even fans). Drives us crazy.

The problem is that takes unbelievable discipline from the players, and many can't stick with the game plan. But the teams that have been able to exercise that discipline have definitely been rewarded with wins. Dwaine Osborne's UC teams were very good at this and pulled off multiple wins against the system (just ran into a buzzsaw in Gannon in the tourney is Osborne's last year). And the Glen Abram iteration of WV State was good at it too. Abram was so smart with the basketball, and it frustrated WLU to no end.

IUP had success a few times earlier in Joe's career and even had success 3 years ago in the region final but unfortunately, that IUP team couldn't make a shot and Brice Butler couldn't miss on that night.

You are very correct it takes great discipline. IUP's current team has zero chance. Joe insists on taking their time on the inbound and that rat race once the ball is in. Total opposite of what they should do. This is why Gannon has thumped the last couple years.

[Scrub]

This really the best philosophy to beat that system.

1) Inbound the ball as quickly as possible after WL/Gannon/etc. score.
2) Get it over half court as quickly as possible.
3) If an easy lay up is given, you take it.
4) If no easy lay up then you peal out and set up the half court offense.
5) By no means do you ever get in a rat race with this system. That's what this system wants.

Absolutely. When teams smartly pull it out and start to set up an offense, it's so frustrating to the system (the players, coaches, and even fans). Drives us crazy.

The problem is that takes unbelievable discipline from the players, and many can't stick with the game plan. But the teams that have been able to exercise that discipline have definitely been rewarded with wins. Dwaine Osborne's UC teams were very good at this and pulled off multiple wins against the system (just ran into a buzzsaw in Gannon in the tourney is Osborne's last year). And the Glen Abram iteration of WV State was good at it too. Abram was so smart with the basketball, and it frustrated WLU to no end.

[IUPalum]

This really the best philosophy to beat that system.

1) Inbound the ball as quickly as possible after WL/Gannon/etc. score.
2) Get it over half court as quickly as possible.
3) If an easy lay up is given, you take it.
4) If no easy lay up then you peal out and set up the half court offense.
5) By no means do you ever get in a rat race with this system. That's what this system wants.

[Scrub]

You're right, Columbus. That was a heck of a basketball game. And UC really came in with a solid gameplan and nice blueprint to get out with a win. They did not attack after breaking the press (which almost always frustrates a WLU team that wants to keep the pace going up-and-down). They rebounded very strongly. And in a departure from their first meeting, they chose to sub 5-for-5 to match WLU's depth. A few teams have tried that years ago (I recall Glenville trying it once, and I feel like maybe D&E did once). But typically when teams try it, the deficit builds when the "second team" is on the floor. Most teams just aren't prepared to go 10 deep on their benches at this level. In the second half, it honestly felt like UC's second unit was more effective than their first. Clearly they have the depth to pull it off.

Great game plan and a really game effort from the Golden Eagles. Hats off to their new coach who really had them ready for this one. Heck of a basketball game to watch, and could be scary if a third (or 4th) meeting were to materialize.