West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Was losing by 30+ in Round 1 what Crutch would have done? They were down. IUP choked, too.

Fairmont didn't make the tourney. I'd say they regressed last year, too.

New year, my man. Last year is over.

Nobody cares if power teams win division titles. That's expected. March is the only result that matters.

No. He said they would be down this coming year because of the "new" coaches. I also recall a poster predicting that WLU was destined to join the PSAC when the MEC imploded and that called a transfer from WJ to WLU "Benedict Arnold." Both of those are pretty negative toward WLU and they happened well after the ESU game last year.

WLU did not play to their usual level last year, but I'd hardly say they regressed. They still lost 2 regular season games, won the conference and made the tourney. Not a bad year for a first year HC who was effectively replacing most of the starting lineup.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Hummm...I seem to remember a poster coming on and saying WLU and Fairmont would have down years because they replaced their coaches last year and the new ones couldn't possibly be as good as the old ones. Also predicted that the conference as a whole would be down.

Was losing by 30+ in Round 1 what Crutch would have done? They were down. IUP choked, too.

Fairmont didn't make the tourney. I'd say they regressed last year, too.

New year, my man. Last year is over.

Nobody cares if power teams win division titles. That's expected. March is the only result that matters.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Save being a dickhead until at least March. Enjoy your season. There hasn't been one negative thing on this board about WL since the Shippensburg game. Not one. From anybody.

Hummm...I seem to remember a poster coming on and saying WLU and Fairmont would have down years because they replaced their coaches last year and the new ones couldn't possibly be as good as the old ones. Also predicted that the conference as a whole would be down.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I'm sure that makes you very happy as we might lose one or both of these games. Of course if we win both and then step through the rest of our in conference schedule like we have in the past, it just about sows up the Regional Tourney.

Save being a dickhead until at least March. Enjoy your season. There hasn't been one negative thing on this board about WL since the Shippensburg game. Not one. From anybody.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I'm sure that makes you very happy as we might lose one or both of these games. Of course if we win both and then step through the rest of our in conference schedule like we have in the past, it just about sows up the Regional Tourney.

They won't lose either of them. Not down there, anyway. Concord and VSU are my only concerns. WL may or may not be a concern for us in 5 months as you say. Until then ... combined we have one tourney win in the past two years so there are other things to worry about.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Kutztown was picked 4th in the East (one spot low in my opinion). They have some good guards but not much under the basket. I'd take WL in this one by 15-20. I could see it being a game for 20-25 minutes.

West Chester is much more well-rounded -- the majority back from last season. They have some nice post players and experienced guards.

So, yes, it's a tremendous step up from the typical jabronies usually brought up to the Hilltop this time of year.

I'm sure that makes you very happy as we might lose one or both of these games. Of course if we win both and then step through the rest of our in conference schedule like we have in the past, it just about sows up the Regional Tourney.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Kutztown was picked 4th in the East (one spot low in my opinion). They have some good guards but not much under the basket. I'd take WL in this one by 15-20. I could see it being a game for 20-25 minutes.

West Chester is much more well-rounded -- the majority back from last season. They have some nice post players and experienced guards.

So, yes, it's a tremendous step up from the typical jabronies usually brought up to the Hilltop this time of year.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

We may have to be patient as some of the wlu talented players are young.
It will be interesting to see how Kutztown manages the press as the coach experienced it several years ago in the regional.

Everyone (usually fans of other programs) have wanted WLU to schedule harder games. I doubt this is because they are concerned with WLU's preparedness for the playoffs in FIVE months. No, I think they are hoping that WLU would take a few early season losses which would perhaps lower their seeding and give them a better chance of hosting regionals. Guess we'll see if WLU fell for it starting tonight. 0-2 would be a tough hole to dig out of.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Heading to the Hilltop tonight for the opener...Looking forward to a super competitive game, as opposed to year's past where they've opened up with perennial patsy Cheyney, or some version of them. Kutztown and West Chester are tough openers.

Will post my thoughts tomorrow on this year's version tomorrow.

My prediction is that they win the mountain east conference (again), with Fairmont and ND being up there as well.

I think this will be a better pressing team...I see more quickness on this squad...

We may have to be patient as some of the wlu talented players are young.
It will be interesting to see how Kutztown manages the press as the coach experienced it several years ago in the regional.

[IUP Extra Mile]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Heading to the Hilltop tonight for the opener...Looking forward to a super competitive game, as opposed to year's past where they've opened up with perennial patsy Cheyney, or some version of them. Kutztown and West Chester are tough openers.

Will post my thoughts tomorrow on this year's version tomorrow.

My prediction is that they win the mountain east conference (again), with Fairmont and ND being up there as well.

I think this will be a better pressing team...I see more quickness on this squad...

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

FYI
Here is attempt to provide link to oct 19 sports line with Howlett.
You may have to scroll across to select oct 19 show with brad Howe

Interview about 13:40 from end of show so u have to fast forward after you bring up
the oct 19 show

http://wvmetronews.com/channel/sportsline/?jwsource=cl

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I've never seen a WLU practice but I've heard it is rather unorthodox. Not a lot of line drills or half court set play instruction. Players are told how to execute the offense/defense then thrown to the wolves in these no holds bared high intensity "scrimmages." I would imagine that every practice is basically a "tryout" with the "best" players vying to be among the final 10 in the final game. Something like that only works when you have a full team of players that are hungry and effectively equally capable. Almost like throwing a football in the middle of your five linebackers and saying "The starter needs to bring me the ball." Good way to find out who your alpha dog is!!

[Columbuseer]

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I agree on Hill. Questions I have on Greely are:
1. Can he play the uptempo style with the required intensity at his current weight? In D1, post players were not expected to run the floor as hard as WLU.
2. Can he defend in the open court outside of the post? Many D1 post guys focus on inside defense primarily.

THAT is a question for even the most svelte of players!!! I've been told by a number of former players that there are quite a few possible recruits that show up on the Hilltop that watch a practice and about half way through, say, uhhhhh...this ain't for me. and walk off. That's kind of why I'm leary of putting much expectations in freshmen...WLU's offensive and defensive styles are pretty intense and you just can't tell who will be up to the task and who will be overwhelmed.

Both good questions on Greely. But even if he can't do those things for an extended period of time, I can still see a place for him on those nights when the opposing team has a big that is eating our lunch inside. Doesn't happen very often, but it does happen.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Interesting question...I think Hills could have the biggest impact BUUUTTTT...It depends on how he performs in camp and if WLU has any holes to fill. I kind of see it as unless his camp play demands he get big minutes OR Arnold or Dyer are not playing well (or are injured), we MIGHT be better served redshirting him and letting him compete for the starting PG job with Dyer next year with a year in the Topper system under his belt.

Dark horse in the "most impact" contest is Nick Greely. He will probably be the primary back up "big" so should garner significant playing time. Don't think he'll be a big scorer but if he has the ability to pull down rebounds, block shots and play strong D, he could be every bit as important as a scorer.

Probably just the pre-season kool-aid talking, but I'm starting to get pretty bullish on this coming years Toppers. We don't seem to have any glaring holes like we have the last couple of years. Sure, replacing an All-American and two very productive Seniors is never easy but given what WLU has had to replace seemingly every year for the last few years, that should be relatively easy.

I agree on Hill. Questions I have on Greely are:
1. Can he play the uptempo style with the required intensity at his current weight? In D1, post players were not expected to run the floor as hard as WLU.
2. Can he defend in the open court outside of the post? Many D1 post guys focus on inside defense primarily.