West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

… The probability of him succeeding at WL when he couldn't even see the floor at Northern Michigan is small...

I am somewhat more optimistic due to coach lamberti’s coaching acumen (30 under 30 award as an assistant) and lattos playing with him.
he must have impressed them in open gym against wlu players, for there is no shortage of impact player still hoping for an offer from wlu. But no one bats 1000 in recruiting.

[TopperNation]

I was surprised by the stats too. I watched his hs hudl highlights and was impressed. While a redshirt, He played with lattos and he must have passed open gym test.

the possible explanation that I could come up with for the seeming contradiction is that he was stuck in the wrong system for his skill set. Anxious to watch him in person.

Maybe you're right, but I can't tell you the last time WL brought in a transfer that hadn't been all conference at their previous spot or been a impact player. The probability of him succeeding at WL when he couldn't even see the floor at Northern Michigan is small, but hey let's give the kid a chance, lol.

[Columbuseer]

Not sure about this addition - He only played in about half the games and averaged almost 2 points per game last year for Northern Michigan?!

I was surprised by the stats too. I watched his hs hudl highlights and was impressed. While a redshirt, He played with lattos and he must have passed open gym test.

the possible explanation that I could come up with for the seeming contradiction is that he was stuck in the wrong system for his skill set. Anxious to watch him in person.

[TopperNation]

Fyi
according to x new west liberty commit.
three level scorer.
Cody Schmitz 6-5 195 lb
transfer from northern Michigan
3 years to play

High school bio

• Scored 2,654 points, making him the all-time leading scorer at G-E-T and fourth leading scorer all-time in the state of Wisconsin.
• Named WBCA Division 3 First Team All-State, Coulee Conference Player of the Year, four-time Coulee Conference First Team, Badger Pro Shop All-MPC Team, Winona Daily News All-Area First Team, WDN Player of the Year, Prep Hoops Second Team All-State, and a WBCA All-Star

Not sure about this addition - He only played in about half the games and averaged almost 2 points per game last year for Northern Michigan?!

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
wlu playing in hall of fame classic Nov 7 and 8
opponents FL Southern and Washburn

https://hilltoppersports.com/news/20...e-classic.aspx

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
according to x new west liberty commit.
three level scorer.
Cody Schmitz 6-5 195 lb
transfer from northern Michigan
3 years to play

High school bio

• Scored 2,654 points, making him the all-time leading scorer at G-E-T and fourth leading scorer all-time in the state of Wisconsin.
• Named WBCA Division 3 First Team All-State, Coulee Conference Player of the Year, four-time Coulee Conference First Team, Badger Pro Shop All-MPC Team, Winona Daily News All-Area First Team, WDN Player of the Year, Prep Hoops Second Team All-State, and a WBCA All-Star

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
according to verbal commits, Enzo Khalil has committed to wlu.
6-2 190 lb 1st team all WPIAL 6A from Pittsburgh central catholic. 1000 pt scorer. Senior.

[boatcapt]

So you're looking for:

Evan French
Luke Dyer
Malik McKinney
Keene Cockburn

Those are certainly "gettable" types in the portal. But you have no room to miss. Good luck hitting on every one.

Oh, and it should be noted that each of the players mentioned above grew into the role you've assigned over the course 2-3 years in the system. That no longer exists in Portal Mania, so now you have to find polished "Senior Year" versions of those guys on Day 1. Your level of difficulty just went up by about 200%.

Those would be my priority types. Not saying we'd get all of them or that the guys we do get can't fill multiple of those rolls.

Yep...the days of player development are effectively over (hurray portal...hurray NIL...). You've got to expect players to be ready on day one because they probably aren't going to be around for day one of their second year. If you are a top tier program...coaches from other schools are going to be sniffing your players jocks probably before they show up in the fall and EVERY day from then.

[Scrub]

My priorities:

Spot-up jump shooter who knows his roll and can get to the "right" spot on every play
True PG who looks to distribute first (but with enough shooting ability to keep defenses honest)
Gritty defender who plays at 110% every second and dives for everything
A sharp elbowed inside the paint player who can run and distribute while sweeping the boards

So you're looking for:

Evan French
Luke Dyer
Malik McKinney
Keene Cockburn

Those are certainly "gettable" types in the portal. But you have no room to miss. Good luck hitting on every one.

Oh, and it should be noted that each of the players mentioned above grew into the role you've assigned over the course 2-3 years in the system. That no longer exists in Portal Mania, so now you have to find polished "Senior Year" versions of those guys on Day 1. Your level of difficulty just went up by about 200%.

[boatcapt]

So as it stands right now, WLU will have nine returning players (Coan, Butler (L and M), Muldowney, Pankey, Lattos, Williams, Montgomery and Davis) plus two incoming freshmen (Maddox Bennett and Owen Hill...That's assuming no one poaches either). Mike had 16 on last years roster so that leaves five holes to fill via late signing HS'ers, JUCO's or transfers.

Any rumors on who the five players who will be wearing the Black and Gold will be? Only four (five?) months until school starts in the fall! My priorities:

Spot-up jump shooter who knows his roll and can get to the "right" spot on every play
True PG who looks to distribute first (but with enough shooting ability to keep defenses honest)
Gritty defender who plays at 110% every second and dives for everything
A sharp elbowed inside the paint player who can run and distribute while sweeping the boards

[boatcapt]

Of the seven member "Coker Contingent" that transfered to WLU to be with Mike, only three are returning for a second season on the Hilltop.

[boatcapt]

Basically the entire Horizon League is in the Portal. It's just another rung up the ladder (stepping stone league) like the rest of us.

But, yeah, Ben got gutted.

Gutted to say the least. Seven players in the portal...losing his top five scorers...seven of his top eight three-point shooters...etc...etc...etc. So much for the "You've got to let players transfer when a coach leaves because the players had a relationship with him" crowd.

[Columbuseer]

Former Hilltoppers in portal from indy
D’Augustino ( leading scorer) - probably poached by $
Dragas ( torn meniscus 6 month rehab)
Aiden Miller (commit from point park)

————-
in addition maguire Mitchell, promising freshman is in the portal.

also Max Hurray is going to d3 Roanoke college.

D’Augustino going to Ohio univ

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Montgomery 2nd team Atlantic region as a true freshman.
https://hilltoppersports.com/news/20...an-season.aspx

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The hardest time to do a thing is the first time...after that it becomes easy. These players quit in WLU...Not surprised they have now quit on Howlett and IU Indy.

Basically the entire Horizon League is in the Portal. It's just another rung up the ladder (stepping stone league) like the rest of us.

But, yeah, Ben got gutted.