West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Layton]

Found a way to win against a quality team with a good big man. They were cooooooooold though

[Scrub]

Coaches pregame speech: Men, we can win this game! All we have to do is score more points than they do. NOW GET OUT THERE AND SCORE POINTS!!!!

See your quote from earlier, Boat. All you gotta do is score more points than the other team.

This wasn't exactly how you draw that up, but a win is a win. When I used to coach my kids' sports teams I used to have a saying after games like these: "Good teams can win ugly; bad teams find ways to lose those games." I'd like to think that's the case.

Daemen is a really solid team (despite their early-season-non-conference-gauntlet record), and they may end up making some noise in the East.

[boatcapt]

A win is a win but WOW, that was some BAD basketball.

[Layton]

[Layton]

[boatcapt]

Coaches pregame speech: Men, we can win this game! All we have to do is score more points than they do. NOW GET OUT THERE AND SCORE POINTS!!!!

[Columbuseer]

So all they need to do is shoot better? Humm...Seems like most teams that lose could say the same thing...We would have won instead of loosing by 20 if we just made six more buckets and three more 3 pointer!

You are correct. Regardless of style, points per possession determines the winner. It, in turn is heavily influenced by shooting % and turnovers. A horrendous shooting night can often result in defeat. You may disagree, but 18% from three in second half and 47% free throws is sufficiently abysmal to put victory in jeopardy for any team, especially if the opponent is shooting well. Wlu was 1.01 points per possession. For the past n seasons, their season average is around 1.25.

[boatcapt]

So all they need to do is shoot better? Humm...Seems like most teams that lose could say the same thing...We would have won instead of loosing by 20 if we just made six more buckets and three more 3 pointer!

[Columbuseer]

More wlu - nd observations
1. The offensive rebound efficiency was 34.4%, which is in the same ball park as prior games and is a very good %. (Off reb /(off reb + opponent def reb)).
We were kind of spoiled last year with Dalton, Will and Luke, who pushed that stat on some nights to an other worldly 40%. This stat was lowered at ND by terrible 18% 3 pt shooting in 2nd half, because a missed three often results in long rebounds.

2. For the most part, the drives to the rim were good shots. In listening to many interviews with wlu coaches over the years, their goal is to spread the floor and to get a good shot, whether a drive to the rim or a three.
When not hitting threes, rim runs have the advantage of drawing fouls and shorter rebounds. Of course you have to make your foul shots. We were under 50% (9-19) instead of the typical 70+%.

3. A rim run need not affect rebounding if you crash the boards behind the driver and do not impede him. It often leaves openings for put backs because the driver draws attention. The problem is that not enough folks were aggressively crashing the boards. As evidence, watch Dalton crash the boards last season from the wing on rim runs or shots by his teammates. As Coach Howlett said, offensive rebounding is mostly about desire.

Once folks get more experience playing together, I expect the stats to improve.

[boatcapt]

But again, it's hard to be in good rebounding position while standing around the perimeter watching a guy try to go 1-on-3 in the lane. It's all related. And tomorrow will be very interesting. Gotta get it fixed more quickly than last year. Andrew Sischo can be a problem for us when we're playing well let alone playing poorly.

Exactly...When four guys are standing around the perimeter, you ain't going to get many rebounds. Iso ball feeds sooo many bad things...ball stops moving...players start standing...offensive rebounds go down...second chance points go down...etc...etc...etc.

[Scrub]

If they could have rebounded the ball they'd have won by 10+

Lost the glass 45-32.

That's not hero Ball. That's just getting hammered on the glass.

But again, it's hard to be in good rebounding position while standing around the perimeter watching a guy try to go 1-on-3 in the lane. It's all related. And tomorrow will be very interesting. Gotta get it fixed more quickly than last year. Andrew Sischo can be a problem for us when we're playing well let alone playing poorly.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

However you get to 1-on-1 basketball, that is where WLU was at last game. Kind of a chicken and the egg argument...Are players playing hero ball because everyone was standing around or were they standing around because they knew the player with the ball was taking it to the rack?? Either way is not good...either the players aren't listening to the coach's instructions to MOVE or they aren't listening to the coach's instructions to MOVE THE BALL.

We'll see tomorrow if Ben can nip this in the bud or if it's going to take several games (like last year) for the players to figure it out on their own.

If they could have rebounded the ball they'd have won by 10+

Lost the glass 45-32.

That's not hero Ball. That's just getting hammered on the glass.

[boatcapt]

I hadn't seen the stats when offering initial impressions. And I like your point that the assist numbers are encouraging.

And you're absolutely right that there seemed to be stagnation on offense (not moving without the ball), which is what caused our talented guards to attempt a lot of rim runs with very little ball movement (and gave the impression of "hero ball" to a viewer seeing that stagnation).

Good stuff as always, Columbus. Appreciate your perspective.

However you get to 1-on-1 basketball, that is where WLU was at last game. Kind of a chicken and the egg argument...Are players playing hero ball because everyone was standing around or were they standing around because they knew the player with the ball was taking it to the rack?? Either way is not good...either the players aren't listening to the coach's instructions to MOVE or they aren't listening to the coach's instructions to MOVE THE BALL.

We'll see tomorrow if Ben can nip this in the bud or if it's going to take several games (like last year) for the players to figure it out on their own.

[Columbuseer]

Compensating for loss of Will Yoakum...

I am impressed by effort of Bryce Butler on defense and offense. Great effort in blocking shots and rebounds. If he does jump stops for short jumpers and reduces charging calls, he will get another 4 points per game.

but wlu needs other players to step up when Bryce sits for a rest. I see Ben Sarson maturing quickly and not committing as many ill advised fouls. Last game he got time with first platoon. Great effort on the Boards.

But we need others to step up, for it will take a committee to compensate for Will. Who will it be?
Garrett Denbow? - I see him losing more rust each game.
Austin Webb ? - just needs more experience to get more confident.
Elijah Watson? - plays with great effort. improving inside moves.
Luke Powell? - Can other facets of game improve rapidly to match his shooting?
Marlon Moore jr.? - now he plays when Viktor sits. Can he play more along side Viktor?

Until then, Wlu players have to treat each possession as gold, and take only high percentage shots and reduce turnovers.

Thoughts?

[Scrub]

I hadn't seen the stats when offering initial impressions. And I like your point that the assist numbers are encouraging.

And you're absolutely right that there seemed to be stagnation on offense (not moving without the ball), which is what caused our talented guards to attempt a lot of rim runs with very little ball movement (and gave the impression of "hero ball" to a viewer seeing that stagnation).

Good stuff as always, Columbus. Appreciate your perspective.