[QUOTE=Columbuseer;n567475]Observations from a Dummy: The Improvement of WLU Play since Their Three Losses
I would add, the lack of ball movement allowed the other team time to rest which means they are "fresher" late in the game. Can't emphasize this too much. A (THE) key component to WLU's success over the years is wearing their opponents down with constant pressure on defense AND on offense through constant ball and player movement. When the ball sticks in "physically gifted players" hands and they take their defender to the rack, the other four defenders have time to recover. Over the course of the game, these little rests add up making it harder to achieve the WLU "Black Out" that often results in WLU taking a 5 point lead to 15 in a short period of time.
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Oh, don't worry, Columbus. You'll get no argument from me. I truly believe when Yoakum is healthy, he might actually be the best player on the WLU squad (even better than Bolon & Robinson, and that's really saying something because those two are studs). But I was just a little surprised that whomever votes for this thing didn't pass up a 3rd Hilltopper (and one who missed about 4 games with injuries) for a next-best guy to add to the first team.
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No doubt Reid is a great player who gives great effort and is a great finisher. Good rebounder too. But Yoakum exceled in more areas and was on a team where he did not have to be the main man. I think Will is a more complete player, better shooter, and takes better care of the ball. Will only played 55% of the minutes that Reid played and took a little over half (57%) of the shots that Reid attempted.
STAT. Yoakum. Reid
pts avg. 16.5 22.5 Reid had to shoulder scoring burden and took over 4 more shots per game
pts per
Minute
Played. 0.69 0.66
Min. Per
game. 23.8 34.2. Far fewer mins per game
FG% 56.2 48.5
3FG% 33.3. 21.4
FT% 75.5. 72.0
Assist to
Turnover
ratio. 0.90 0.65
TOs per min 0.073 0.078 will has fewer turnovers per minute played
Blocks
per
Game 1.0 0.93 Many of Will's blocks were difficult and stopped sure layups
Steals
Per
Game. 1.0. 1.2
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Bolon repeats as MEC POY. I thought he had a chance to get edged out by Abram in that vote, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
Robinson also a much-deserved first-team All-MEC selection.
Yoakum made first team as well (in a bit of a surprise given that he missed a handful of games and got off to a slow start). Jordan Reid from Wheeling probably has the biggest beef with being put on the 2nd team in favor of Yoakum on the first. I wouldn't have argued with Reid making first team in Yoakum's place.
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Observations from a Dummy: The Improvement of WLU Play since Their Three Losses
IMHO What led to the three losses:
Play Since the three losses: Following the three losses, it became clear to all the players that the secret to the WLU success was the style of play more than the players. They returned to the WLU style of play, based on:- Rapid ball movement
- Continuous player movement
- Giving up a good shot for a great shot
The following statistics substantiate that the WLU style of ball is superior to styles that emphasize one-on-one play.
Just look at the following statistics in the 3 losses (shaded in blue) and compare them with the games following the losses (red font):- Points per Possession
- In the three losses the values were 1.01, 1.09, 1.04, very D1 like numbers
- Since: the range was 1.13 (on abysmal shooting) to an unbelievable 1.59, with 5 games over 1.30!
- Season Average: an incredible 1.27, which compares favorably with the best past WLU teams and higher than Gonzaga (who is typically far above other elite D1 teams).
- Assists per 100 Possessions
- Three losses: 9.8, 19.3 and 8.5
- Since: 5 games over 30, 2 games over 20, and with a low of 12.8
- Season Average: 24.9
- Assists / FG Made % - indicator of how much one-on-one versus passing (although steals and layups can lower the number)
- Three Losses: 29%, 55%, 26%
- Since: 5 games over 65%, low of 35%
- Season average of 54.5%.
- Effective FG % - factors added value of 3-point shooting in the overall shooting percentage
- Three losses: 48%, 46%, 43%
- Since: 6 games over 59%
- Season Average: 56.7%, despite having a lower team 3-pt shooting % compared to past WLU teams
- Effective FG% Difference (WLU- Opp.)
- Three losses: -9%, -11%, -20% (opponent shot better than WLU)
- Since: 4 games over 17% better, only 1 game shooting worse (-8%)
- Season Average: 7.4% better than opponent
WLU Statistics in Games after their Three Losses (Losses shown in blue background; important stats are shown in red font)WEST Lib Stats 3fgm 3fg % Reb. Off Points per Possession Assists per 100 Possessions Assists / FG Made % Offensive Rebound Efficiency % Effective FG % Effective FG% Difference (team- Opp.) FGA % Diff ((team FGA-Opp.FGA)/Opp.) Forced Turn overs Forced Turn overs % of Opp. Possession NDC 5 33.3% 19 1.31 18.7 36.8% 46.3% 52.6% -5.4% 37.5% 18 24.3% at Alderson Broaddus 11 42.3% 23 1.50 29.3 52.2% 59.0% 62.0% 15.1% 27.7% 23 28.8% at Fairmont St. 10 27.8% 23 1.08 19.1 56.7% 40.4% 43.2% -3.8% 20.9% 19 21.3% Frostburg 14 43.8% 13 1.38 32.0 68.9% 36.1% 66.7% 31.2% 13.0% 25 26.3% at Concord 5 21.7% 10 1.01 9.8 28.6% 31.3% 48.4% -12.9% 18.9% 22 27.8% W.VA. STATE 14 31.1% 18 1.09 19.3 54.8% 34.6% 45.8% -9.1% 33.9% 20 22.0% at UC 7 31.8% 18 1.04 8.5 26.1% 43.9% 43.4% --10.8% 3.4% 11 15.7% GSC 12 38.7% 9 1.18 31.3 73.8% 25.0% 60.8% 20.4% 1.3% 16 16.8% A-B 14 41.2% 14 1.38 37.6 69.6% 42.4% 67.1% 6.4% 41.1% 24 29.3% WVWU 16 41.0% 16 1.19 31.2 70.7% 39.0% 59.0% 23.0% 5.1% 21 23.6% Wheeling 13 46.4% 19 1.47 37.0 65.2% 47.5% 61.8% 9.2% 46.6% 18 22.8% at NDC 6 22.2% 11 1.14 12.8 34.5% 25.6% 46.4% -7.7% 11.3% 14 17.9% at Frostburg 14 36.8% 21 1.47 25.3 47.8% 50.0% 63.1% 19.4% 33.3% 19 22.1% at D&E 11 26.2% 21 1.13 25.0 65.4% 42.9% 44.4% 1.8% 31.5% 13 19.4% Fairmont State. 17 63.0% 9 1.59 32.9 54.2% 34.6% 76.4% 17.9% 13.8% 12 15.4% at Wheeling 10 31.3% 17 1.30 22.0 40.9% 42.5% 60.5% 6.6% 26.6% 16 19.8% WLU
Reg Season179 36.0% 261 1.27 24.9 54.5% 40.3% 56.7% 7.4% 21.9% 291 22.1% Last edited by Columbuseer; 03-04-2021, 12:22 AM.
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WLU Stats End of Regular Season
Following the three losses, WLU started playing WLU ball, which entails ball movement, player movement and sharing the ball. As a result, the key stats started improving dramatically.
Here are the regular season averages:- For reference, Gonzaga, who also shares the ball and is typically much better than elite dribble drive D1 teams, averages 1.24 to date.
- Offensive rebounding % - 40.3% is amazing and is a key to winning on a cold shooting night, for one must get more FG attempts through offensive rebounding and turnovers
- Defense held opponents to only 0.97 points per possession and only 30% from three
Statistic West Liberty Regular Season Opponents Regular Season POINTS 1695 1280 FGM 609 444 FGA 1231 1010 FGPCT 49.5% 44.0% 3FGM 179 109 3FGA 497 357 3FGPCT 36.0% 30.5% FTM 298 283 FTA 385 414 FTPCT 77.4% 68.4% REBOUND OFFENSIVE 261 169 REBOUND DEFENSIVE 471 387 REBOUND TOTAL 732 556 ASSISTS 332 198 TURNOVERS 195 291 BLOCKS 57 32 STEALS 160 99 Num Possessions 1334 1314 Points per Possession 1.27 0.97 Assists per 100 Possessions 24.9 15.1 Assists / FG Made % 54.52% 44.59% Assist to Turnover Ratio 1.70 0.68 Turnovers per 100 Possessions
(< better)14.6 22.1 Opponent Defensive Rebounds 387 471 Offensive Rebound Efficiency % 40.3% 26.4% Effective FG % 56.7% 49.4% Effective FG% Difference (team - Opp.) 7.4% -7.4% FGA % Diff ((team FGA- Opp. FGA) / Opp. FGA) 21.9% -18.0%
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The WLU pressure has a cumulative effect that eventually wears down an opponent, which in turn reduces their movement offensively and defensively, while also reducing the FG %. This effect had started to manifest itself in the last 4 minutes of the half.
In the second half, WLU increased the intensity and pace of the game even further. One could see 2 or 3 WU players lagging back in transition, while the WLU players zoomed ahead of them to start their offense. WU was a step slow, leading to assists and easy baskets. It was becoming a track meet, which WLU loves!
Marlon was controlling the boards and getting quick outlet passes in transition. Everyone was making the extra pass. One instance: Patrick had beaten his man yet again and could have made a layup, despite being challenged by a big. Instead, he executed a beautiful wrap around bounce pass to the other side of the rim to Elijah for a dunk.
The effort of WLU was a key factor in this game, for WU has good shooters who were hitting their shots. But fatigue from the pressure has a way of lowering shooting percentages and increasing turnovers.
Summary of Stats- WLU won 107-88, but it was a more challenging game than the score appears.
Areas for improvement
Some of the turnovers and missed shots were due to lack of situational awareness.- Both WLU and WU threw the ball out of bounds because the passer was running down the court while the recipient was stationary at a 90% angle to their direction of movement. They neglected to adjust for the fact that when the ball is released, it is still moving forward at the same speed as the passer. The result is that the ball is too far in front of the recipient and goes out of bounds. You must practice aiming behind the stationary recipient to compensate for this Law of Motion.
- On a rebound, a player had an easy layup. Instead, he brings the ball behind his head to gather himself for a statement dunk. The shorter player behind him easily blocks the ball. Not the right time or place (lack of situational awareness)
- not goodare good
Statistic West Liberty at Wheeling POINTS 107 88 FGM 44 31 FGA 81 64 FGPCT 54.3% 48.4% 3FGM 10 7 3FGA 32 23 3FGPCT 31.3% 30.4% FTM 9 19 FTA 13 26 FTPCT 69.2% 73.1% REBOUND OFFENSIVE 17 10 REBOUND DEFENSIVE 26 23 REBOUND TOTAL 43 33 ASSISTS 18 13 TURNOVERS 12 16 BLOCKS 1 1 STEALS 8 7 Num Possessions 82 81 Points per Possession 1.30 1.09 Assists per 100 Possessions 22.0 16.0 Assists / FG Made % 40.91% 41.94% Assist to Turnover Ratio 1.50 0.81 Turnovers per 100 Possessions
(< better)14.6 19.8 Opponent Defensive Rebounds 23 26 Offensive Rebound Efficiency % 42.5% 27.8% Effective FG % 60.5% 53.9% Effective FG% Difference (team-Opp.) 6.6% -6.6% FGA % Diff ((team FGA-Opp. FGA)/Opp. FGA) 26.6% -21.0%
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2021 WLU signee Austin Webb Update
South Point Pointers (15-4) won the sectional championship 52-47 over Coal Grove. Austin had 17 points. They are 4th seed in district and head to district semis on Tuesday against 5th seed Adena.
https://www.herald-dispatch.com/spor...8843bf6e3.html
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FYI WLU National D2 stat ranking (through midnight Feb 24)
NCAA ranks the 312 D2 schools in 31 national statistics, of which only 26 are relevant to the WLU style (see note below).
WLU ranks:- #1 in Scoring Offense
- #2 in Assist to turnover ratio, Rebound Margin, Scoring margin, Total Rebounds / game
- top 5 in 9 categories
- top 10 in 15 categories
- top 20 in 21 categories
- top 28 in 24 of the relevant 26 categories
Note: The WL style is incongruous with some statistics, such as fewest fouls, personal fouls per game, fewest turnovers, turnovers per game, scoring defense, etc., which leaves only 26 relevant stats for WLU.Date Stat Rank Value 2/25/2021 Scoring Offense 1 105.9 2/25/2021 Assist to turnover ratio 2 1.72 2/25/2021 Rebound Margin 2 11 2/25/2021 Scoring margin 2 26 2/25/2021 Total Rebounds per game 2 45.93 2/25/2021 Assists per game 3 20.9 2/25/2021 Turnover margin 3 6.1 2/25/2021 Total Assists 4 314 2/25/2021 Turnovers forced per game 4 18.33 2/25/2021 Offensive rebounds per game 5 16.27 2/25/2021 Steals per Game 6 10.1 2/25/2021 Defensive Rebounds per game 7 29.67 2/25/2021 Total steals 7 152 2/25/2021 Three-point FG per game 8 11.3 2/25/2021 Total Rebounds 12 689 2/25/2021 Free Throw Made 16 289 2/25/2021 3-point FG attempts 17 465 2/25/2021 FG percentage 18 49.09 2/25/2021 Free Throw Percentage 19 77.69% 2/25/2021 Three Point FG Defense 19 30.50% 2/25/2021 Total three-point FG Made 20 169 2/25/2021 Free Throw Attempts 23 372 2/25/2021 Total Blocks 27 56 2/25/2021 Blocked shots per game 28 3.7
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- WLU won 126-96, and the lead was 39 with 4 minutes left, when we relented. WLU played without Will Yoakum, who is injured.
- Points Per Possession - 1.59 - This is highest I have ever seen for a game. Only 7% of D1 teams average over 1.0.
- Assist to Turnover Ratio - 3.25 - This would have put the team at #8 nationally in the individual assist to turnover rankings!
- Effective FG% (weights 3 pt. shots) - 76.4%
- Assists per 100 possessions - 32.9
- Assists / FG Made - 54%
WLU put continuous, python-like pressure on FSU on both defense and offense. They were extremely aggressive in attacking them without respite. It was required, for FSU is well-coached and has at least 3 All-Conference level athletes.- Rapid outlet passes to half court on missed shots
- Long inbounds passes after an FSU score for layups
- Near instantaneous transition from defense to offense, resulting in fast breaks. Everyone was sprinting down the floor.
- Treating every offensive possession like gold, making extra passes to teammates, and making FSU work very hard on defense. Eventually, it led to wide open looks. Just one example: Owen gets the ball in corner and has an open shot; instead, he passes it to Patrick on the wing; Patrick then fires a bullet under the basket to a cutting Bryce Butler for a layup; all within the space of 3 seconds.
- The rapid passing and ball rotation exhausted FSU, where they were a second late on the close-out, enabling Dalton, Zach, Malik, Bryce, Patrick, and Owen to drill threes. Zach was the newcomer to the three-point party, but I expect him to be a regular attendee (as his Ohio record of 485 threes in high school may never be broken and he is only the 2nd person to score over 3,000 points in Ohio, behind Jon Deebler).
- The avalanche of threes forced the defense to spread out to defend, which left defenders on an island against Malik and Patrick for open drives to the rim against tired legs.
After scoring 70 points in the first half, one naturally expected WLU to cool off in the second half. They did not. They kept playing WLU ball with the same intensity.
For the second straight game, WLU got a 10 second call against the opponent. That is a very difficult accomplishment, especially against a good team who only turned the ball over 12 times.
Areas for improvement
This is difficult to identify after this game.- Only had a couple of out-of-control drives and low percentage shots, which is a huge improvement.
FYI here are the statsStatistic West Liberty FAIRMONT ST. POINTS 126 96 FGM 48 31 FGA 74 65 FGPCT 64.9% 47.7% 3FGM 17 14 3FGA 27 34 3FGPCT 63.0% 41.2% FTM 13 20 FTA 13 22 FTPCT 100.0% 90.9% REBOUND OFFENSIVE 9 9 REBOUND DEFENSIVE 26 17 REBOUND TOTAL 35 26 ASSISTS 26 15 TURNOVERS 8 12 BLOCKS 1 1 STEALS 6 7 Num Possessions 79 78 Points per Possession 1.59 1.23 Assists per 100 Possessions 32.9 19.2 Assists / FG Made % 54.17% 48.39% Assist to Turnover Ratio 3.25 1.25 Turnovers per 100 Possessions
(< better)10.1 15.4 Opponent Defensive Rebounds 17 26 Offensive Rebound Efficiency % 34.6% 25.7% Effective FG % 76.4% 58.5% Effective FG% Difference (team - Opp.) 17.9% -17.9% FGA % Diff ((team FGA - Opp. FGA) / Opp.) 13.8% -12.2%
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Originally posted by Columbuseer View PostQuiz:
you are a top 25 team.
You have the following stats:
48% FG, 41% three FG, 91% FT, 12 turnovers, 15 assists and 7 steals.
Do you win by:
a) 12
b) 20
c) 30
d). Other
if you answered c, you are incorrect.
The correct answer is YOU LOSE BY THIRTY!
That is, when you are playing against WLU basketball, composed of elite athletes playing unselfishly at 100% effort.
That was a 40 minute display of the highest level of basketball against a top 25 opponent that i have ever seen.
Even if you follow another team, it might be enjoyable to watch on mountaineast.tv replay.
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Quiz:
you are a top 25 team.
You have the following stats:
48% FG, 41% three FG, 91% FT, 12 turnovers, 15 assists and 7 steals.
Do you win by:
a) 12
b) 20
c) 30
d). Other
if you answered c, you are incorrect.
The correct answer is YOU LOSE BY THIRTY!
That is, when you are playing against WLU basketball, composed of elite athletes playing unselfishly at 100% effort.
That was a 40 minute display of the highest level of basketball against a top 25 opponent that i have ever seen.
Even if you follow another team, it might be enjoyable to watch on mountaineast.tv replay.
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We were wrong, IUPalum. Will Yoakum was seen on crutches at tonight's game.
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