West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Chuck Norris]

My opinion is primarily based on where the puck is going, not where it was. If we weren’t into this new world of NIL I would have the opinion that WL or maybe even IUP could eventually win a national championship. I don’t like it, but it’s the world of collegiate sports we’re living in now. Yes, the pendulum could swing back the other way and change the equation again, so I’d take the “never” as more tongue in cheek.

Fair enough. I just don’t see any evidence that West Liberty is anything less than they have been or will fall from the ranks of the elite, NIL or not. I suppose if they get this new coach hire wrong that could change. IUP on the other hand definitely needs to figure things out about their approach to the new landscape.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Fair enough. I just don’t see any evidence that West Liberty is anything less than they have been or will fall from the ranks of the elite, NIL or not. I suppose if they get this new coach hire wrong that could change. IUP on the other hand definitely needs to figure things out about their approach to the new landscape.

Make no mistake, Joe figured it out.

Like it or not, the Lord of the Redshirt went old school last year. He did a traditional reboot and tried to make one last run with a (largely) home-grown roster.

Everybody knew last year (relying on all true freshmen) would be painful. The key item is, however, they are all back. In this day and age, keeping them all even for a second year is a big win. Now he's added around them and they have a year of experience. Add to it his two best players sat out last season and are now go-for-launch.

I don't think he'll get 'Year 3' out of all of them. But, we'll see.

That was his choice to go old school. Joe certainly has/had the money to go full mercenary portal. It's never been his way and at his age it's not going to suddenly become his way.

Don't get me wrong, he's done some immaculately odd things the past two years with player minutes (KJ & Sarp). That said, Joe's going to be pretty good this upcoming year. This 'doing it the old way' may actually work.

As for the National Title ... IUP and WL can both without question win it. It's obviously not easy. The stars have to align. The best team isn't always the last one standing. One team wins the last game of the season. The fact IUP and WL are 0-4 in the final game is what it is. Both have had tremendous success. Both have won an awful lot of basketball games. Winning that final game would be nice but it doesn't define either program.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Interview with ben howlett

-He implied some wlu players may follow him to iu indy.
- says he has to like recruits as people regardless of their basketball skills
- no true center and everyone has to be able to shoot
- talked about drawing opponent's big man 20 ft away from goal to guard his big man who can shoot in order to negate inside height advantage.
- said key to system is brainwashing players into playing harder than they ever thought was possible.

Podcasts - WV MetroNews
https://wvmetronews.com/podcast/

Interview with Ben at 35:00 min.

Go to podcasts, then select sportsline and then select Thursday may 29.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Fyi
Interview with ben howlett

-He implied some wlu players may follow him to iu indy.
- says he has to like recruits as people regardless of their basketball skills
- no true center and everyone has to be able to shoot
- talked about drawing opponent's big man 20 ft away from goal to guard his big man who can shoot in order to negate inside height advantage.
- said key to system is brainwashing players into playing harder than they ever thought was possible.

Podcasts - WV MetroNews
https://wvmetronews.com/podcast/

Interview with Ben at 35:00 min.

Go to podcasts, then select sportsline and then select Thursday may 29.

The interesting item is luring bigs out works in D2 -- where all big men are in D2 because they have some flaws. The D1 bigs are much bigger, faster and more athletic. The D1 game has also evolved to be a near-mirror of the NBA (dunks and treys) so the bigs are more accustomed now than ever at guarding the outside.

[Columbuseer]

The interesting item is luring bigs out works in D2 -- where all big men are in D2 because they have some flaws. The D1 bigs are much bigger, faster and more athletic. The D1 game has also evolved to be a near-mirror of the NBA (dunks and treys) so the bigs are more accustomed now than ever at guarding the outside.

Good points. That is one of the many differences that makes the success of the system in D1 an open question for many of us.

The AD is fully behind the system. He called Kim Caldwell of Tenn. To ask her if it would work at men's D1. She said yes.

Crutch is convinced that it will work if one has d1 level players. He said nova scrimmaged fl. Atlantic's final 4 team and forced turnovers with their pressure.

I am optimistic that it will work because d1 level players never see full court pressure in AAU.
However, I think more d1 players will attack the rim in transition rather than pulling the ball out and they are typically very talented at finishing at the rim. If indy does not have quick d1 level players, they could give up easy points.

[boatcapt]

I'm not suggesting a radical shift in how they play basketball. I am suggesting they evaluate how to get more elite talent from a quantity conversation, which would ultimately increase their chances of winning a national title. I am also suggesting that taking that approach may require some adaptation or evolution of how they've grown accustomed to playing, coaching, and recruiting.

I firmly believe that the modern-day college athlete is focused on climbing rungs of the different levels, and not necessarily just winning basketball games. Not saying that the latter isn't a factor, and that there are not exceptions to the cultural norm now, but my personal belief is that you are limiting yourself from a quantity conversation related to elite talent by not adapting the system to some degree.

These discussions are not about proving any methodology is right. It's about finding ways to evolve and win the last game. That's really all that matters. If all the Elite Eight trips never amount to anything for them, then did it all really matter? I recognize you can't take away the success over the long haul, but I would argue that the real answer to that question is, "no."

I would point out that WLU has changed the type of player they bring in. This was a unilateral shift that was not driven by substandard results. Coach(s) assessed we needed greater athletic ability to "get over the hump" and win a NC. If that was the goal, I would say they have failed (if you can call being a perennial Elite 8 performer failing). Buuuttt...What bring in higher athletic ability athletes did do was increase the interest in poaching them!

I am of the opinion that perhaps we need to take a step back in our recruiting. I'm not advocating that we have a team made up of 12 6'1" spot up 3 PT shooters but maybe we don't need need 12 above the rim court runners who can hit a fair share of 3's who would be highly priced in the portal either. Maybe a mix would be better to giving a degree of continuity while reducing the number of players who are going to leave after one or two years

I think the WLU Style has shown that you can win with a group of dedicated "athletes" AND it can win with a collection of gym rat spot up jump shooters. Just maybe you can win just as well AND be a bit more stable (ie fewer transfers) by melding the two.

[boatcapt]

Fyi
Interview with ben howlett

-He implied some wlu players may follow him to iu indy.
- says he has to like recruits as people regardless of their basketball skills
- no true center and everyone has to be able to shoot
- talked about drawing opponent's big man 20 ft away from goal to guard his big man who can shoot in order to negate inside height advantage.
- said key to system is brainwashing players into playing harder than they ever thought was possible.

Podcasts - WV MetroNews
https://wvmetronews.com/podcast/

Interview with Ben at 35:00 min.

Go to podcasts, then select sportsline and then select Thursday may 29.

At least as of now, one week after Howlett left, no WLU players have jumped into the portal. Hoffman and Butler need to be having daily contact with each returning player and insure they feel loved. Need to get each one back on the Hilltop this summer working camps and other "jobs." Monitor them on a daily basis! Worst thing they can do is go weeks without contact...because know Ben (or others) are reaching out dangling "D1 dreams" in their face!!

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
podcast with ben from earlier this week.

https://youtu.be/Qc0TYvxh_II?feature=shared

He mentioned bringing some players from wlu to help in transition.

the wlu job posting probably needs to be open for at least a week. Once closed, the interviews and decision needs to be done promptly.

The assistant coaches are doing everything that they can to secure the roster. Some players may have decided to go to Indy. Others may be waiting on the head coach decision.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

At least as of now, one week after Howlett left, no WLU players have jumped into the portal. Hoffman and Butler need to be having daily contact with each returning player and insure they feel loved. Need to get each one back on the Hilltop this summer working camps and other "jobs." Monitor them on a daily basis! Worst thing they can do is go weeks without contact...because know Ben (or others) are reaching out dangling "D1 dreams" in their face!!

I'd surely think Butler will join Ben's staff.

He'd probably make at least double. D2 assistants make a hair above minimum wage.

[boatcapt]

I'd surely think Butler will join Ben's staff.

He'd probably make at least double. D2 assistants make a hair above minimum wage.

It's possible but as of right now, Butler still works for WLU. Typically, if a new HC is going to bring "his guys" from the old college to the new one, it's a pretty quick process measured in days not weeks.

If I were looking for a principal Assistant Coach, I'd probably be looking at someone with a bit more experience like say a Nick Smith from Nova.

[Columbuseer]

Rumor is 4 or 5 wlu players going to indy.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Rumor is 4 or 5 wlu players going to indy.

I'd fully expect 4-5 of 'his' guys to go with him. It happens.

As the saying goes, the cemetery is full of irreplaceable dead people. The show goes on.

[boatcapt]

Rumor is 4 or 5 wlu players going to indy.

One wonders why they haven't put their names in the portal yet? As these things go, when a coach leaves, most players that want to follow him are in the portal in hours of the announcement. Here we sit over a week after Howlett left and no additional WLU players have entered the portal.

[Columbuseer]

One wonders why they haven't put their names in the portal yet? As these things go, when a coach leaves, most players that want to follow him are in the portal in hours of the announcement. Here we sit over a week after Howlett left and no additional WLU players have entered the portal.

Howlett was officially named on 5/27/25.
He and his staff are looking at everyone in the portal. Howlett has stated in interviews that he will be bringing some players from wlu to jump start the transition.
Just speculation, but current wlu players are likely either staying at wlu or going to iu indy. They don't want to have legions of other coaches contacting them so they are refraining from entering the portal. They have 30 days.

[IUP24]

One wonders why they haven't put their names in the portal yet? As these things go, when a coach leaves, most players that want to follow him are in the portal in hours of the announcement. Here we sit over a week after Howlett left and no additional WLU players have entered the portal.

There's also a process that exists for them to file in the portal. That generally takes about 48 hours and has to be done through the school where they are currently enrolled. Consider he was "officially" hired mid-week, we have a weekend now, if it's going to happen, I would suspect it'll be this upcoming week.