West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[boatcapt]

Just watched the game recap of the #1 UNC vs CofC game. Both Bolon and Robinson proved that the D1 stage was not too big for them. Bolon lead CofC with 16 points in true Bollon fashon...inside and outside and flying all around the court. Robinson finished with 14 points in his smooth as silk way. CofC put a scare into the homestanding Tarheels taking a 50-43 into half time but wilted in the second half before losing 86-102.

If Bolon keeps this up, wouldn't be surprised if he get's on some NBA radars. IF that happens and he does find his way onto an NBA roster if he will be listed as out of CofC OR West Liberty??

[Columbuseer]

Dummy's observations on Shepherd wlu gane
Shepherd:
[ ] Experienced, physical team
[ ] stereotypical psac team- 4 guys over 200 lbs. Even 5-10 pg was 185 lbs
Strategy
[ ] Attack when breaking press
[ ] Wait 15 secs before starting offense
[ ] Attack boards
Tactical errors really hurt them
[ ] Playing only 7
[ ] Letting team go 1 on1 playground in 2nd half
[ ] Mental and physical fatigue - 22 turnovers and 45% ft %. Had to take pg out down 19 with 5 min as he was exhausted
[ ] 41% live ball turnovers.

WLU defense is suffocating. Keeps them in games even when shooting poorly and not dominating the boards.

[boatcapt]

I do think the second team will pick it up as the season goes on. It didn't necessarily show up in the box scores this weekend, but Alek West is the real deal. He looked REALLY good (and in just his second game in the system).

Woodward is also a beast--really good passer for a big guy. He had a few high quality assists to a cutting guard. I think the second team will be just fine.

The 3-point shooting woes are more worrisome to me. It almost seemed as though some guys hesitated taking the open looks (which is just not Hilltopper basketball). If the look is there, gotta bury it.

Furthermore, in a game with a TON of whistles (seemingly half of which were offensive fouls on drives to the hole), stronger outside shooting performance would have made that game a runaway. Instead, WLU had to keep going toward the hoop where a waiting Cal defender just took the charge.

It is early in the season and there obviously is time to change. I don't think we can go through the season with one dominant player, a second five that underperforms AND shooting sub .300 from 3.

The charging on drives also concerns me. That's a step away from the "hero ball" we broke into at times last season. The whole I'M better than you...I can take you to the hole any time I want...thing. Just because maybe you can do that...is that really in the best interest of the team? Maybe it's better to beat your guy and take a short pullup jumper or maybe pull the defense to you and kick it out the the open wing. If our guys have as high a basketball IQ as we've been told they do, I'd hope they would figure out that the best option is being willing to NOT call your number and force it to the hole.

[Scrub]

EARLY (two games) assessments:

1. Unlike WLU teams of the past, this team has one star, Bryce Butler. Team will go as far as he can carry them.

2. There is a clear drop off from the first unit to the second. Last season the bench averaged approx 47 PPG. Thus far this years iteration is averaging 25 PPG.

3. We are struggling mightily from the 3 point line. Makes last years .377 3 point shooting (which was poor) seem like a distant memory.

The good news is we are 2-0 and we still have 90% of the season to play to "fix" the above problems.

I do think the second team will pick it up as the season goes on. It didn't necessarily show up in the box scores this weekend, but Alek West is the real deal. He looked REALLY good (and in just his second game in the system).

Woodward is also a beast--really good passer for a big guy. He had a few high quality assists to a cutting guard. I think the second team will be just fine.

The 3-point shooting woes are more worrisome to me. It almost seemed as though some guys hesitated taking the open looks (which is just not Hilltopper basketball). If the look is there, gotta bury it.

Furthermore, in a game with a TON of whistles (seemingly half of which were offensive fouls on drives to the hole), stronger outside shooting performance would have made that game a runaway. Instead, WLU had to keep going toward the hoop where a waiting Cal defender just took the charge.

[boatcapt]

EARLY (two games) assessments:

1. Unlike WLU teams of the past, this team has one star, Bryce Butler. Team will go as far as he can carry them.

2. There is a clear drop off from the first unit to the second. Last season the bench averaged approx 47 PPG. Thus far this years iteration is averaging 25 PPG.

3. We are struggling mightily from the 3 point line. Makes last years .377 3 point shooting (which was poor) seem like a distant memory.

The good news is we are 2-0 and we still have 90% of the season to play to "fix" the above problems.

[boatcapt]

Dalton Bolon is back for another season at College of Charleston. He is starting through two games and is the teams leading scorer.

Pat Robinson is also at CofC. As the teams 6th man, he is the third leading scorer.

Will Yoakum is starting for Nova Southeastern and is the teams number 2 scorer through 3 games.

Garret Denbow is starting at Anderson Univ (SAC). Leading scorer albeit through 1 game.

Luke Denbow is also starting at Anderson. Scored 10 pts and dished 3 assists in 17 min.

[boatcapt]

Thanks. Great info. If they can be patient, like bolon , dyer, and yoakum were in redshirting, it can really help them.

It is a big step up from wv class A ball to wlu, although Barnhart is getting more comfortable. A coach's son, he understands the game, but needs to get stronger.

Dronjak has the tools, but he needs to get stronger and adjust to the much more physical play at wlu, compared to Euro ball. He has great shooting mechanics.

the remaining 12 are really talented. Imho one won't see much difference in the platoons, once they gain experience over the course of the season.

There in lies the rub. Apparently not a lot of D1 interest in a 6'6", 195 pound Serbian who was a little raw inside. Wonder if there is a D1 market for a 6'6", 205 pounder with great shooting skills and a year of running the WLU practice crucible?

[Layton]

Nice first win hope they fix the leaky roof soon

[Columbuseer]

Saw an article today in which Howlett announced who he was planning to redshirt. Article said both Barnhart and Drojnak are redshirting. So, he'll go into the season with his traditional 12 (or, I guess, 11 until/if Hinds is ready). Two rotations of 5 and 1-2 extras.

Thanks. Great info. If they can be patient, like bolon , dyer, and yoakum were in redshirting, it can really help them.

It is a big step up from wv class A ball to wlu, although Barnhart is getting more comfortable. A coach's son, he understands the game, but needs to get stronger.

Dronjak has the tools, but he needs to get stronger and adjust to the much more physical play at wlu, compared to Euro ball. He has great shooting mechanics.

the remaining 12 are really talented. Imho one won't see much difference in the platoons, once they gain experience over the course of the season.

[Scrub]

Saw an article today in which Howlett announced who he was planning to redshirt. Article said both Barnhart and Drojnak are redshirting. So, he'll go into the season with his traditional 12 (or, I guess, 11 until/if Hinds is ready). Two rotations of 5 and 1-2 extras.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
terrance pankey and garrison kisner have signed their LOI to attend west liberty.

[Columbuseer]

Westminster from PA? An intra-squad would have been much more exciting.

Yes you are correct. Based on first hand observation, even the intrasquad open gym games to 100 are closer and more intense on both sides than either Findlay or ashland also. They just need to play someone new with an alternate style (lol). WLU usually has last scrimmage against a d3 team, where the folks farther down the depth chart (10-14) or folks who are returning from injury get extended playing time.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

So true. Hope he has no regrets. He just did not have the body for a d1 guard. Shooting % fell off a cliff too.

BTW, more info on Sunday westminister scrimmage. they tried to run with wlu. Wlu 141 - 81 victory.
Webb hit 9 threes on 75% shooting.

Westminster from PA? An intra-squad would have been much more exciting.

[Columbuseer]

And it's a shame that the "bright lights" of D1 take a kid like Hill away from WLU. He could play in front of 1,200 people here on the Hilltop, play 23 minutes, score 26 points, and make the NCAA tournament. All of those are things (with the exception of 300 more bodies in the too-big arena) are not going to happen at Cleveland State.

So true. Hope he has no regrets. He just did not have the body for a d1 guard. Shooting % fell off a cliff too.

BTW, more info on Sunday westminister scrimmage. they tried to run with wlu. Wlu 141 - 81 victory.
Webb hit 9 threes on 75% shooting.

[Layton]

We have quite a few guys playing D1 this year