West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Dirtybird]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

The year at the juco uses a year of eligibility...yes or no?

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Most JUCO programs are two year deals. So, as a sophomore there would be many committed to schools for their junior year. A lot go JUCO just for their first year and then leave.

Think of schools like Harcum, Lackawanna, etc.


Tallahassee isn't going to be a cakewalk for Hill. They have lots of players.

They may get offers during their final season. What I'm talking about is a player who hasn't even started his first school year at a JUCO having an actual D1 offer. Don't think I've ever heard of a player having an actual D1 offer before they even step through the door at their new JUCO program! Probably more likely one of the Albany coaches said, we like you, give us a call after the season. Guess if you see yourself as a D1 player, that counts as an "offer"...Offer to talk!!

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Most JUCO programs are two year deals. So, as a sophomore there would be many committed to schools for their junior year. A lot go JUCO just for their first year and then leave.

Think of schools like Harcum, Lackawanna, etc.


Tallahassee isn't going to be a cakewalk for Hill. They have lots of players.

Tallahassee is just as u said. Very few sophomores. Place to play while sitting out transfer year.
I share your concern regarding hill. Roster loaded with bigger, stronger ex d1 guards.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I don't know how JUCO recruiting works but I find it a bit odd that a player can be on a JUCO team while at the same time having an offer from a D1...or DII for that matter. If that can happen, what would prevent a D1 program from "stockpiling" future recruits at a JUCO? Say for example that Duke had an AA caliber senior PG and a top tier Junior backup this coming year but there is a REALLY good PG coming out who want's to go to Duke. Instead of having him come in and get splinters on the bench, Duke could "encourage" him to go to a particular JUCO that just happens to run an offense/defense similar to Duke, stocked with Duke friendly coaches and other potential Duke players in the same situation as him while at the same time promising this player a scholly the following year.

Most JUCO programs are two year deals. So, as a sophomore there would be many committed to schools for their junior year. A lot go JUCO just for their first year and then leave.

Think of schools like Harcum, Lackawanna, etc.


Tallahassee isn't going to be a cakewalk for Hill. They have lots of players.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

One limiting factor to this trend is that one has to sit a year to go from D2 to D1. Not many D1 schools are going to invest a scholarship in that scenario and wait a year for their return on investment.
Just speculating, but I wonder if the Albany offer is contingent on a successful season at Tallahassee Community College, which would involve Hill earning a starting position from among the plethora of D1 transfers that they have recruited.

I don't know how JUCO recruiting works but I find it a bit odd that a player can be on a JUCO team while at the same time having an offer from a D1...or DII for that matter. If that can happen, what would prevent a D1 program from "stockpiling" future recruits at a JUCO? Say for example that Duke had an AA caliber senior PG and a top tier Junior backup this coming year but there is a REALLY good PG coming out who want's to go to Duke. Instead of having him come in and get splinters on the bench, Duke could "encourage" him to go to a particular JUCO that just happens to run an offense/defense similar to Duke, stocked with Duke friendly coaches and other potential Duke players in the same situation as him while at the same time promising this player a scholly the following year.

[Layton]

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I just hope it doesn't become a trend on this level.

One limiting factor to this trend is that one has to sit a year to go from D2 to D1. Not many D1 schools are going to invest a scholarship in that scenario and wait a year for their return on investment.
Just speculating, but I wonder if the Albany offer is contingent on a successful season at Tallahassee Community College, which would involve Hill earning a starting position from among the plethora of D1 transfers that they have recruited.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

And he'll never let anyone forget it! 10 years from now he'll still be dropping that "fact" on the girls at the local bar! He'll probably blur the line between his D1 and DII experience..."I lead the nation in 3 point shooting and was a big time D1 star."

I just hope it doesn't become a trend on this level.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

His new team would likely lose to his old team. But ... his Twitter handle can now say he's D1. That's what it's all about.

And he'll never let anyone forget it! 10 years from now he'll still be dropping that "fact" on the girls at the local bar! He'll probably blur the line between his D1 and DII experience..."I lead the nation in 3 point shooting and was a big time D1 star."

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

It will be interesting to see if it is a commit-able offer. Yahel is a fine young man and a great offensive player. The open issue for me is whether he can defend the physically stronger and bigger guards that are prevalent in d1. Imho defense was his biggest area for improvement at wl.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

His new team would likely lose to his old team. But ... his Twitter handle can now say he's D1. That's what it's all about.

[Layton]

[Columbuseer]

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Alessondro and Butler as this years version of Yocum and Hill?? I like it!!!

Bolton with two eyes being twice as good a last year's one eye version?? That's kind of scary for WLUs opponents!!

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Soooo...Bolon and Yocum are probably going to be our top 2 scorers, but who is going to be our biggest surprise this coming season? Obviously a lot of hype for Boswell and he should be a shoe in for major contributions, but who is the under the radar guy that will either step up or come in and contribute larger than expected?

My money is on either Patrick Robinson the xfer from Holly Family or redshirt freshman Jon Alessandro.

Really tough question, Boat. Like you said, we expect some folks to be good. Frankly, in the past, players that I thought were career role players have stepped up and totally impressed me with their contributions.

You have some strong candidates. What is hard to predict is to know how quickly transfers as well as frosh adjust to rapid decision making required by the WL style and the tremendous effort that is required, regardless of of how much talent and athletic ability they have.

In terms of surprise factor, I would think that having a freshman make a significant contribution would be a big surprise, just like Yahel Hill last year. Using this criterion and based on high school highlights, I think Bryce Butler might be a significant surprise. In high school he seemed to have very good decision making skills and a high basketball IQ. Ditto for Evan Conley, but I wonder if he might need a redshirt year to get stronger, as did Yoakum in his freshman year.


This seems strange to say this, but I think Bolon is going to take his game to the next level on defense as well as his increased strength in his nside offensive game. He was nominated for MVP of the summer league (won by a pro), after being more of a sixth man last year.I think his ability to dominate a game in many facets besides offensive rebounding and 3 pt shooting will surprise many fans. Becoming a very complete, dominant player.