West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[boatcapt]

The MEC tourney demonstrated the versatility and grittiness of wlu. This is a different team from the traditional wlu team that depended on good three point shooting.

wheeling, fairmont and Charleston all used different strategies with considerable success and wlu weathered them despite some sub-par aspects of their games.

Unlike past teams, this team has the defensive half court chops to play a 1940s era low scoring half court high post low post game. We now have 4 players who can guard a post player in Viktor, Marlon, Bryce, and Sarson. We also have lockdown defensive guards.

Wvsu is a huge challenge. If they are clicking they can dominate. Took out embry riddle. Arguably best overall collection of 1-on-1 athletes in mec.

Good thing we dont depend on good 3pt shooting because on several occasions, it has let us down. To say they are streaky is an understatement...this team can go from shooting 52% from 3 (vs Wheeling the last game of the season) to 20% from 3 (Wheeling) to 52% (Fairmont game) the next night then shooting 17% (UC game) the next night!!

[Columbuseer]

Yup. State is always scary--especially when they're actually motivated (and what's more motivating than a one-and-done scenario?). The thing I hate most about the first round games against a conference opponent (at least in the case of WLU) is that the element of surprise is off the table. WVSU knows exactly what to expect and exactly what speed it'll come at you (whereas, someone like Malone was a little caught off guard last year). It seemed like in the past, much of WLU's success in this tournament traditionally hinged on teams being unfamiliar with what they do or how fast it actually comes at you when you're in it.

possible silver lining:
If we can somehow get by wvsu, it only gives psac teams one day or so to prepare for us. Last year hillsdale coach said it was very hard to prepare for wlu with just one days rest.

[Scrub]

Wvsu is a huge challenge. If they are clicking they can dominate. Took out embry riddle. Arguably best overall collection of 1-on-1 athletes in mec.

Yup. State is always scary--especially when they're actually motivated (and what's more motivating than a one-and-done scenario?). The thing I hate most about the first round games against a conference opponent (at least in the case of WLU) is that the element of surprise is off the table. WVSU knows exactly what to expect and exactly what speed it'll come at you (whereas, someone like Malone was a little caught off guard last year). It seemed like in the past, much of WLU's success in this tournament traditionally hinged on teams being unfamiliar with what they do or how fast it actually comes at you when you're in it.

[Columbuseer]

The MEC tourney demonstrated the versatility and grittiness of wlu. This is a different team from the traditional wlu team that depended on good three point shooting.

wheeling, fairmont and Charleston all used different strategies with considerable success and wlu weathered them despite some sub-par aspects of their games.

Unlike past teams, this team has the defensive half court chops to play a 1940s era low scoring half court high post low post game. We now have 4 players who can guard a post player in Viktor, Marlon, Bryce, and Sarson. We also have lockdown defensive guards.

Wvsu is a huge challenge. If they are clicking they can dominate. Took out embry riddle. Arguably best overall collection of 1-on-1 athletes in mec.

[Layton]

Good to see the MEC tournament stay in wheeling for at least a few more years

[Scrub]

Hate to see Audrey Tingle's career come to an end. I thought the Hilltoppers had an outside chance at that last spot in the Women's field (the spot that went to IUP's women). A healthier season out of that roster (such as not having to play Concord without 3 starters back in January) picks up an extra win or two, and Coach Cooper is likely dancing.

[Scrub]

Side note: the Commish and the building operators had to be thrilled to see WLU survive that game. By the time the WLU game was over, the several thousand fans who were in the building turned into a quiet couple hundred for the Fairmont/NDC game. And if Wheeling (who just doesn't seem to draw quite as well as WLU despite also being local) had upset WLU last night, there were going to be a LOT of unsold seats and unsold beers for the next two days. With WLU surviving last night, the building operators can guarantee at least one more biggish payday. Then, even if the finals is a Charletson/Fairmont matchup, it's a decent chance those fanbases make the trip for a Sunday afternoon final. So, the Commish & building operators survived the worst case scenario and have probably salvaged enough profit to continue to justify keeping the tourney in that building.

[Scrub]

That game is what happens when teams know each other too well. It's the old adage about beating a team 3 times in one season. Wheeling knew what they had to do, had two chances earlier in the season to practice the game plan against WLU, and they darn near pulled it off.

Howlett said it in the postgame interview (paraphrase): "We were trying to drive lanes that just weren't there in the first half." Translation: too much one-on-one basketball in a crowded lane. And that may have been a panic response to the fact that the outside shots weren't falling. Players/coaches have noted before that it's hard to shoot in that building (for some reason--sightlines maybe?). So when the shots weren't falling early, instead of trusting the process, some of WLU's elite athletes were putting their heads down and trying to make difficult shots. Credit Wheeling for packing the lane and defending that well. But WLU has to be smarter with the basketball tonight if they're going to beat Fairmont.

I'll be very interested to see how WLU matches up with Fairmont minus Younkin. Younkin has been a matchup nightmare for WLU in the past few years--some of his biggest career games have come against the Hilltoppers. Fairmont without Younkin will be a different matchup entirely. Now, Mangas really stepped up in the Forward spot last night against NDC, but WLU probably matches up pretty well against a 4-guard/1-smallish-big lineup. It'll be a different look when these teams match up tonight without Younkin for sure.

And sad for that young man not to get to play down the playoff stretch of his Senior season.

[Columbuseer]

Observations West Liberty at Wheeling U MEC qtr. final 3/4/22

This game was much different than the season finale a week ago.

Wheeling Strategy

• Although they lack height and depth, WU has some very talented, experienced scorers, who can score both inside and out. They have three talented one-on-one players in the league of Patrick Robinson III. Reed, Haynes and Gentry all finished highly contested shots
• If a scoring opportunity did not present itself at the rim in transition, WU pulled the ball out on offense and did not start the offense until 15 seconds left on the shot clock in an attempt to shorten the game, slow the pace and allow the team to rest.
• Wheeling checked many of the boxes that were goals for beating WLU:
• WU goals that were not met
  • WLU got 7 more FTs 24-17. Most importantly, WLU hit 83% to only 65% for WU.
  • In the second half, WLU was getting uncontested layups from the half-court offense.

Keys to WLU Victory

• WU fatigue - WLU pressure caused a 5 second call and a timeout. WU responded by sending players sprinting down the court for long passes off the inbounds. Although successful, this approach only accelerated the onset of fatigue. The pressure and resulting fatigue paid dividends in the second half. Reed was cramping up in the second half and they were missing foul shots.
• WLU got 17 second chance points to 9 for WU.
• In the second half, WLU was still getting to the rim, but the shots were relatively open instead of being contested. It likely was an adjustment in spacing as well as fatigue on the part of WU that led to open lanes to the rim. Also, WU was denying the three-point shot, which limited help defense inside on drives or post-ups. This was a key in pulling away from a 55-55 game to a 14 point lead.

Statistic	WLU	Opponent	Advantage To:
Team	WLU	Wheeling - MEC Tourney
Date	3/4/22	3/4/2022
Score	89-81		WLU
w/l	W	L	WLU
FG	33	33	=
FGA	67	69	WU
FG Pct	49%	48%	=
3FG	3	4	=
3 FGA	15	13	=
3 FG PCT	20%	31%	WU
FT	20	11	WLU
FTA	24	17	WLU
FT PCT	83%	65%	WLU
Off Reb	15	8	WLU
Def Reb	30	22	WLU
Tot Reb	45	30	WLU
Reb Per Game	38.8	33.7	WLU
PF	17	17	=
Assist	15	10	WLU
TO	11	7	WU
Blk	1	1	=
Stl	5	7	WU
Pts	89	81	WLU
Avg Pts Per Game	100.4	80.2	WLU
Steals per Forced TO	71%	64%	WLU
Assist to TO Ratio	1.36	1.43	WU
Assist per FG	45%	30%	WLU
Points Per FGA	1.33	1.17	WLU
Points Per Possession	1.20	1.08	WLU
Num Possessions	74	75	=
OppDefReb	22	30	WLU
Off Reb Effic	41%	21%	WLU
Forced TO	7	11	WU
Game num	29	30
Two Pt FG %	57.7%	51.8%	WLU
Effective Shooting %	51.5%	50.7%	=

[timbertopper]

Doubtful. They weren't even in the top 10 in the recent regional rankings. Strangely, WVSU was in the top 10 regional rankings and they're playing the pigtail game in the conference tourney today as a 7 seed (didn't even earn a bye in the conf. tourney). Not sure about all that. But WLU women have a LOT of work to do in the conference tourney to make the big dance.

New rankings just came out and the WLU women popped in at No. 9 this week. In fact, they're probably No. 8 at this writing as No. 8 Seton Hill got smacked by a sub-500 Pitt-Johnstown team on Monday and is already out of the PSAC Tournament. If West Liberty beats Fairmont State tomorrow and (probably) Charleston on Saturday, I think they're in.

[Columbuseer]

Marlon Moore Jr. Is honorable mention MEC!How could a player who is 8th on team in minutes per game (15.2 mins) make honorable mention all MEC?

• He provides leadership experience in the second platoon.
• At 6-5 he disrupts opponent's offense by defensively dominating all conference centers and power forwards much bigger than he. He is legendary at wlu as "Mr. March" as he thrives on elite competition.
• This is not a one-time great season.
  • In 2020 he took over the MEC finals with 23 pts, 5 blocks, 2 steals, 75% from three and 57%from two.
  • In 2021 regional he disrupted Malone, Charleston and Hillsdale with intimidating double-double performances while play opponent's best inside player.
  • He has continued his dominant performances in 2021-2022.
• Incredibly productive in 15.2 mins per game with 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds. That extrapolates to 25 pts and 14 rebounds in a 40 minute game.
• Incredible rebounder with rapid outlet passes to near mid court to start the fast beak
• Complete player- Can score from three, dribble drive and from the post
• Free safety role in press. Athletic skills allow him to play near mid court court and still prevent passes over the top of the press.
• Very quick leaper who plays much taller.

[Scrub]

Doubtful. They weren't even in the top 10 in the recent regional rankings. Strangely, WVSU was in the top 10 regional rankings and they're playing the pigtail game in the conference tourney today as a 7 seed (didn't even earn a bye in the conf. tourney). Not sure about all that. But WLU women have a LOT of work to do in the conference tourney to make the big dance.

[Layton]

As a side note: I thought Audrey Tingle got robbed on the women's side. That's to take nothing away from Re'Shawna Stone--she's an absolute star who, in any other year, is an obvious POY. But Tingle's season was historic on a national level, so how does her own conference not vote her POY?

[Layton]

[Columbuseer]

Patrick Robinson III repeats as 1st team MEC!

• leading scorer 20.1
• Leads in steals
• Amazing 2.39 assist to turnover ratio
• Close 2nd on team in assists
• 3rd on team in rebounding
• Incredibly strong finisher after contact
• Nearly unguardable 1-on-1
• Has dramatically improved his defense this year
• Sees the whole floor and shares the ball even though he has prodigious offensive scoring skills

Robinson, a silky-smooth 6-3 southpaw guard from Chesterfield, N.J., leads the Hilltoppers in scoring (20.1 ppg.) and steals (63) while shooting better than 50 percent (205-of-402) from the floor and nearly 80 percent (121-of-157, .771) from the charity stripe. A Holy Family, Pa. transfer, he's scored over 2,000 points in his collegiate career with nearly 1,600 of them coming in Black and Gold. He has reached double-figures in every game this season with 15 20-point games. He's posted season-highs of 30 points vs. East Stroudsburg, 8 rebounds at Concord and 7 assists at Alderson Broaddus.