West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Scrub]

(You realize IUP has been to two NC games, right? They have plenty of banners of their own).

[Columbuseer]

Malik draws charges and shoots 50% from three. He and cmont are lock down guards. deadly on the drive. good judgment.

Zach has improved his defense impressively since last year. No longer just a 45% sniper and rarely commits turnovers. Hits the boards like Dyer. AD Ullom says Zach is now much more than a shooter.

I think Webb was playing not to make an offensive mistake with so many experienced teammates. Understandable for a freshman. He missed a lot of games in high school and was thrown into the fire due to yoakum injury.

Elijah is improving. When it clicks, he will become a human eraser, like keene cockburn. His minutes went down due to Viktor, emergence of sarson and of course Marlon.

Garrett shoots 45% from three. This is really his first year of college ball. Defense is improving. We recruited him hard out of high school. He will surprise next year imho.

[Columbuseer]

The Boat capsized! Down goes the Titanic!

Lol. Good one! Need more torpedos?

[Layton]

[Layton]

The Boat capsized! Down goes the Titanic!

[Columbuseer]

I'm sure all the guys you mentioned are great fellows who try really hard but at the end of the basketball day, it is about they produce in games and were they fit in the pecking order of the team. Satterfield was rail thin when recruited. I would imagine the coaches said you need to put on weight before you get here and here's a plan to do it. If he didn't (or couldn't) do that, that's a red flag. He's been in the program for a a season now...if he STILL hasn't been able to put on any weight, that's another red flag. He needs to be at about 205 before next season.

This was Watson's second season and for whatever reason, the needle is moving in the wrong direction on him. He has gone from starter last year who averaged over 10 minutes a game, was an effective rebounder (.25/min...team leader Bolon averaged .27/min) and an improving inside scorer to a bench player to start his second season who averaged 8.5 MPG (but still used in the regular rotation) to a guy who played 6 MPG and often only during bench clearing time by the end of the season. Pretty clear that his skill set (rebounder/put back scorer) is not one that WLU values much. While I'd love to see him stay and develop into an inside force, I don't think Ben see's the same value in him. The WV State game is a perfect example of this, we sure could have used an active defender/rebounder to help Kovacvic counter Moore and Jordon (who were absolutely eating our lunch). Ben chose not to play Watson.

Powell and Webb are largely clones of each other and duplications of many players we have on the roster. Do you really want them taking minutes from better versions of them we already have and will recruit this coming year, next year and the year after that?

You seem to be saying that fans of WLU need to recalibrate their expectations...that WLU is to small and too remote to ever get the elite players we need to become a NC contender. That going 29-3 is somehow our ceiling and we should just be happy we can even achieve that. If our ceiling is just being happy to make the NCAA playoffs every year then what's the point in recruiting so hard to try and improve? Why bother trying to recruit better "athletes"? Ben and company could coast in with 6 or 7 losses and make the NCAA tourney every year with out all the pressure and aggrivation.

I understand fans are disappointed in 1st round loss. But it does no good to denigrate players from behind the computer keyboard. Tell it face to face to their parents. Tell me how it is received. Lol

1. Players are turning down d1 offers to play at wlu. Ben is a tireless recruiter and has excellent judgment in the very inexact science of recruiting.
??????2. Players are getting stronger. That is a fact. New weight room is big addition.
3. Very hard to go undefeated, regardless of style of play. Even nwmsu loses. However, everyone wants the final game to occur later in March.
4. Location often plays a role in where a student decides to go to college. Parents have even told me that they were somewhat wary about the wlu location. That is reality.
5. Other schools have scholarships and good players. Wvsu had a senior laden team that was arguably one of the most athletic in d2. When on, they are very hard to beat.

[boatcapt]

Nore does finishing high in statistical categories or having a ton of potential.

The 2021-22 version of the Hilltoppers had flaws. Not the least of which was a confounding inability to shoot the 3. And we're not talking about shooting a few % points below average, we're talking about in the low teens. There was also a tendancy for the team, seemingly on mass, to revert to a street ball style that I've NEVER known WLU to play. Most night's, WLU was better than their opponents and would win inspite of these problems/tendencies. But on three occasions including against WVS, they weren't good enough to win anyway. And that's why their season is over.

[boatcapt]

Watson was extremely raw when he came to wlu. Great student, great character. Sky is the limit with him as he has the physical tools. Just needs time to develop.

Webb - incredibly high basketball iq and valedictorian of his class. Would have redshirted except for yoakum's injury in preseason. Gym rat. Just needs time to get stronger and adjust to the college game.

Powell just needs to work hard on his defensive technique, as he never was asked to play that in high school. Great shooter who just needs to become more complete player.

Satterfield is a matchup nightmare. Just needs to hit the weights for college game. He is 6-7 with shooting guard skills.

I think the future is very bright. Of course there may be transfers, but the coaches don't run players off who are trying.

Fans need a reality check about West Liberty, wv. It is a frontier outpost location relative to Ft Lauderdale. Players come there to play for Ben and his style, in spite of its location. But the location can be an obstacle for some elite players.

Suggesting significant changes in philosophy for a 29-3 team whose regular season losses were by a total of 4 points followed by an OT loss strains credibility.

I'm sure all the guys you mentioned are great fellows who try really hard but at the end of the basketball day, it is about they produce in games and were they fit in the pecking order of the team. Satterfield was rail thin when recruited. I would imagine the coaches said you need to put on weight before you get here and here's a plan to do it. If he didn't (or couldn't) do that, that's a red flag. He's been in the program for a a season now...if he STILL hasn't been able to put on any weight, that's another red flag. He needs to be at about 205 before next season.

This was Watson's second season and for whatever reason, the needle is moving in the wrong direction on him. He has gone from starter last year who averaged over 10 minutes a game, was an effective rebounder (.25/min...team leader Bolon averaged .27/min) and an improving inside scorer to a bench player to start his second season who averaged 8.5 MPG (but still used in the regular rotation) to a guy who played 6 MPG and often only during bench clearing time by the end of the season. Pretty clear that his skill set (rebounder/put back scorer) is not one that WLU values much. While I'd love to see him stay and develop into an inside force, I don't think Ben see's the same value in him. The WV State game is a perfect example of this, we sure could have used an active defender/rebounder to help Kovacvic counter Moore and Jordon (who were absolutely eating our lunch). Ben chose not to play Watson.

Powell and Webb are largely clones of each other and duplications of many players we have on the roster. Do you really want them taking minutes from better versions of them we already have and will recruit this coming year, next year and the year after that?

You seem to be saying that fans of WLU need to recalibrate their expectations...that WLU is to small and too remote to ever get the elite players we need to become a NC contender. That going 29-3 is somehow our ceiling and we should just be happy we can even achieve that. If our ceiling is just being happy to make the NCAA playoffs every year then what's the point in recruiting so hard to try and improve? Why bother trying to recruit better "athletes"? Ben and company could coast in with 6 or 7 losses and make the NCAA tourney every year with out all the pressure and aggrivation.

[Columbuseer]

I note that if the players don't get it, don't listen to their coaches and on mass have relapses after a year of having the coaches in their ear on a daily basis, MAYBE they never will.

Ben will not do ANY retooling because he doesn't think any needs to be done. I believe Watson transfers...While he shot .429 from 3, he didn't take NEARLY enough 3 tries (only 7 in 17 games) to warrant a roster spot. Coupled with Kovacavic leaving, MAYBE Ben is forced to bring in a transfer "big"...but just as likely he'll bring in another 6'3" "silky shooter" type with a "high basketball IQ." We love them and can never seem to get enough (why limit yourself to 10 on your roster when you can have 11...or even 12!!). Heck, Satterfield is 6'7" so we probably don't really need to bring in a big...I mean, the only thing they are good for is the opening jump ball! As long as Satterfield can make, and is willing to take, 3's, he'll be fine...he's a little light at 185 pounds but that just means he'll be quicker on the perimeter!

Other transfer candidates include Powell and Web...Also think there will be one surprise transfer.

Watson was extremely raw when he came to wlu. Great student, great character. Sky is the limit with him as he has the physical tools. Just needs time to develop.

Webb - incredibly high basketball iq and valedictorian of his class. Would have redshirted except for yoakum's injury in preseason. Gym rat. Just needs time to get stronger and adjust to the college game.

Powell just needs to work hard on his defensive technique, as he never was asked to play that in high school. Great shooter who just needs to become more complete player.

Satterfield is a matchup nightmare. Just needs to hit the weights for college game. He is 6-7 with shooting guard skills.

I think the future is very bright. Of course there may be transfers, but the coaches don't run players off who are trying.

Fans need a reality check about West Liberty, wv. It is a frontier outpost location relative to Ft Lauderdale. Players come there to play for Ben and his style, in spite of its location. But the location can be an obstacle for some elite players.

Suggesting significant changes in philosophy for a 29-3 team whose regular season losses were by a total of 4 points followed by an OT loss strains credibility.

[IUPalum]

The one constant that comes with losing is the reappearance of the secondary style argument. Lol

wlu has highest % wins of any d1 or d2 team over the last 13 years.
Ben has highest % of wins of any coach with 5 years or more experience.
st. Crutch has proven that the wlu philosophy is not a fluke at nova se.

[Columbuseer]

The one constant that comes with losing is the reappearance of the secondary style argument. Lol

wlu has highest % wins of any d1 or d2 team over the last 13 years.
Ben has highest % of wins of any coach with 5 years or more experience.
st. Crutch has proven that the wlu philosophy is not a fluke at nova se.

[IUPalum]

The Boat capsized! Down goes the Titanic!

[boatcapt]

Love your take Boat...I can guarantee you Ben is not staying put with this roster, he will be bringing in a few different pieces. I've spoken to Ben numerous times and he is not one to stay put as he knows that getting knocked out in round one is not going to cut it. West Liberty will have atleast 2 players leave and be replaced. I just saw Ben's comments after the game and he already stated he is changing the roster!

There's changing and there's rearanging the deck chairs. If he gets rid of some underperforming pieces and simply replaces them with newer versions of the same, that's not really changing. If he replaces the under performing pieces and brings in players with an intent on installing a different or secondary style, that's a true change. Guess we'll see.

[TopperNation]

Love your take Boat...I can guarantee you Ben is not staying put with this roster, he will be bringing in a few different pieces. I've spoken to Ben numerous times and he is not one to stay put as he knows that getting knocked out in round one is not going to cut it. West Liberty will have atleast 2 players leave and be replaced. I just saw Ben's comments after the game and he already stated he is changing the roster!

[boatcapt]

Congrats to WVSU. They played extremely hard.

IMHO Difference in game (have not seen stats)

• WLU lost the rebounding battle
• WLU attempted too many difficult passes, resulting in turnovers
• WLU did not turn enough forced turnovers into points

IMHO, there are no sweeping changes needed in the roster. Players just need to learn to move with purpose without the ball and not let the ball stick. The coaches exhort them to do that, but they have relapses. When a team does that, it distorts the defense and creates openings for three-point snipers and much easier shots inside too that won't get blocked.

The players need to watch NWMSU move the ball. Hudgens, the national player of the year will drive but refuse to take a difficult, contested shot. Instead he kicks it out to a teammate for a three. They wear down opponents offensively with their passing and movement without the ball.

I note that if the players don't get it, don't listen to their coaches and on mass have relapses after a year of having the coaches in their ear on a daily basis, MAYBE they never will.

Ben will not do ANY retooling because he doesn't think any needs to be done. I believe Watson transfers...While he shot .429 from 3, he didn't take NEARLY enough 3 tries (only 7 in 17 games) to warrant a roster spot. Coupled with Kovacavic leaving, MAYBE Ben is forced to bring in a transfer "big"...but just as likely he'll bring in another 6'3" "silky shooter" type with a "high basketball IQ." We love them and can never seem to get enough (why limit yourself to 10 on your roster when you can have 11...or even 12!!). Heck, Satterfield is 6'7" so we probably don't really need to bring in a big...I mean, the only thing they are good for is the opening jump ball! As long as Satterfield can make, and is willing to take, 3's, he'll be fine...he's a little light at 185 pounds but that just means he'll be quicker on the perimeter!

Other transfer candidates include Powell and Web...Also think there will be one surprise transfer.