West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

Is the Hinds injury serious?

No. Unfortunate, as he will lose valuable conditioning and practice time.

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First time I have seen Dante play.
I think fans are really going to enjoy watching Dante Spadafora. His motor runs at the red line all the time.
In transition, he races up court at breakneck speed, yet somehow under control, turning it into a 3v3 game. Opponents are confused, concerned he may make a rim run, which leaves guys unguarded for an open 3 and an assist from Dante. What an aggressive, unselfish, point guard.

[Layton]

Black won 126-122.
They adjusted lineups with Chaz hurt and gold only had 6 guys. So they put Bryce and Ben together .

Gold
Ben Sarson
Bryce Butler
Vidan Dronjak
Zac Rasile
Austin Webb
Steve Cannady


Black
Alek West
Michael Sampson
Malik McKinney
Dante Spadafora
Cmont Montague
Grant Barnhart
Finley Woodward


Injured dnp
Chaz Hinds

- great balance among first 10 guys. Imho only clearcut starter is Bryce.
- imho an opponent with only 2 quality guards is in deep trouble. Wlu has 6 shutdown guards that they can send in waves. Hard to withstand 40 minutes of this pressure.

Is the Hinds injury serious?

[Columbuseer]

Black won 126-122.
They adjusted lineups with Chaz hurt and gold only had 6 guys. So they put Bryce and Ben together .

Gold
Ben Sarson
Bryce Butler
Vidan Dronjak
Zac Rasile
Austin Webb
Steve Cannady


Black
Alek West
Michael Sampson
Malik McKinney
Dante Spadafora
Cmont Montague
Grant Barnhart
Finley Woodward


Injured dnp
Chaz Hinds

- great balance among first 10 guys. Imho only clearcut starter is Bryce.
- imho an opponent with only 2 quality guards is in deep trouble. Wlu has 6 shutdown guards that they can send in waves. Hard to withstand 40 minutes of this pressure.

[Layton]

Did anyone go to the scrimmage

[Columbuseer]

FYI
Brad Howe , co-host of wvmetronews sportsline, interviews Coach Howlett about the new transfers and transfer portal. He still wants to recruit high school guys and not rely solely on portal.
Players leaving does not bother him (apparently there is no shortage of good players who want to play this style).
https://twitter.com/i/status/1579969250709602306

[Columbuseer]

FYI
Brad Howe , co-host of wvmetronews sportsline, interviews Coach Howlett about Bryce Butler's 3v3 experience on team USA. They won America's region championship in under 23 3v3. Some insights on his game. He is like another coach on the floor.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1579968780192604171

[Columbuseer]

FYI
podcast interview with coach Howlett- first 15 mins.
- Bryce and Malik have taken game to another level.
- Cannady picking up concepts and makes great decisions - he and malik are very fast
- Alec West very smart and adjusting very quickly. Can play 1-4.
- Fin Woodard may contribute this year.

https://youtu.be/in_Ie7HHnYI

[Columbuseer]

If WLU truly plays position less basketball with every player being interchangeable, why would they need to purposely split-up Butler/Sarson and Woodard/Hinds? ;-)

Obviously, that is a question for Coach Howlett, if you want a definitive answer. It has been that way in the prior practices. Hope u can make homecoming practice on oct 22 at 10 am as he doesn't mind answering fans' questions.

My speculation is that it is to maximize individual development due to competitive 1 on 1 matchups, in terms of size and skill etc. Imho, playing against Butler has really accelerated development of Sarson. Imho Butler has raised his game to another level, even though he is already an all-american.

They still play positionless offensive basketball. All four guys can effectively dribble, shoot, pass and rebound in the fast-paced wlu style. They play effectively both inside and outside and are very good 3 pt shooters.

[boatcapt]

FYI
Black and Gold basketball game Sat Oct 22 10 am ASRC.
Opportunity to view and assess this year's team in person.
Don't know the rosters. If it is like prior practices, Butler and Sarson will be on opposing teams, as will Woodard and Hinds.

If WLU truly plays position less basketball with every player being interchangeable, why would they need to purposely split-up Butler/Sarson and Woodard/Hinds? ;-)

[Columbuseer]

FYI
Black and Gold basketball game Sat Oct 22 10 am ASRC.
Opportunity to view and assess this year's team in person.
Don't know the rosters. If it is like prior practices, Butler and Sarson will be on opposing teams, as will Woodard and Hinds.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Must be the Off season...This year's Toppers are the best team in the history of Topper basketball! They are a combination of top tiered athletes, combined with high IQ players from 1-15, 3-point drainer and gifted high motor defenders that will just run every opponent out of the gym with a cacafany of turn overs...heady assists...and strategic blackouts surrounded by a blizzard of 3 pointers from EVERY point on the floor and from EVERY player on the floor! We are assured of a seat in the NC game...unless we play NW in the Elite 8!!!!

Can't wait to hear the IUP assessment about how this is their best team...EVER! Top to bottom.. BEST bigs 1-4...BEST guards...In the history of guards...and a collection of "gifted scorers" who can make ANY shot...from ANYWHERE on the court!!!

Should be a GREAT Regional Final!! All other teams aught to just phone it in!!!!!

IUP has questions this year. You won't be hearing that assessment from me, anyway.

[boatcapt]

Must be the Off season...This year's Toppers are the best team in the history of Topper basketball! They are a combination of top tiered athletes, combined with high IQ players from 1-15, 3-point drainer and gifted high motor defenders that will just run every opponent out of the gym with a cacafany of turn overs...heady assists...and strategic blackouts surrounded by a blizzard of 3 pointers from EVERY point on the floor and from EVERY player on the floor! We are assured of a seat in the NC game...unless we play NW in the Elite 8!!!!

Can't wait to hear the IUP assessment about how this is their best team...EVER! Top to bottom.. BEST bigs 1-4...BEST guards...In the history of guards...and a collection of "gifted scorers" who can make ANY shot...from ANYWHERE on the court!!!

Should be a GREAT Regional Final!! All other teams aught to just phone it in!!!!!

[Columbuseer]

From top to bottom, this might be the quickest, most athletic wlu team ever. These players have great vision, high basketball iqs and are unselfish. Despite the large number of transfers, they play like they have been together for several years due to their vision, always looking to make extra pass for the wide open look for a teammate. Numerous players are deadly from three- one hit 8 in a row during a game.

[Columbuseer]

The improvements to strength and conditioning facilities appear to be paying dividends.
One example is Austin Webb. He has gotten much stronger. He appears to have added several inches to his vertical elevation. In the press, he is adept at baiting opponents to try to lob over him near midcourt. With his long arms and elevation, he intercepts what appear to be "safe" passes over the top of the backcourt pressure. His shooting has improved too. Playing against Sampson and West can only help him develop.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
As of June 30 2021, wheeling u had 466 full time undergrads, of which 186 were women.
Does not look promising.
Great rivalry could be in jeopardy.


have to search for wheeling in DOE site below.
https://ope.ed.gov/athletics/#/institution/search