West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Thanks Boat. I was too lazy to recheck it. The memory is starting to get fuzzy. Getting old is way overrated LOL,

Of the newcomers, who do you think will make the greatest impact or be the greatest surprise?
My guess is RS frosh Will Yoakum from Delaware Hayes near Columbus. Saw him play in high school. He is like a gazelle in the open court with the ball being a part of his body as he glides in from the wing to dunk over people. He just needed to put on muscle.

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.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Not to quibble, but WLU held a whopping TWO point lead in the MEC Coaches Pre Season Poll!!!

Thanks Boat. I was too lazy to recheck it. The memory is starting to get fuzzy. Getting old is way overrated LOL,

Of the newcomers, who do you think will make the greatest impact or be the greatest surprise?
My guess is RS frosh Will Yoakum from Delaware Hayes near Columbus. Saw him play in high school. He is like a gazelle in the open court with the ball being a part of his body as he glides in from the wing to dunk over people. He just needed to put on muscle.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Fairmont was #2 in mec poll by only 1 point to wl!
The d2 bulletin preseason poll is out. Bellarmine is #1.
Wl is #6. Nova southeastern is #8 !!

Not to quibble, but WLU held a whopping TWO point lead in the MEC Coaches Pre Season Poll!!!

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Like hearing that! If he is back 100%, we are a much better team. Solid starting depth at PG and a freshman with serious potential (on paper). WLU always has shooters and we appear to have a couple of Big s that can play within the system. Never know how the "chemistry thing" will turn out but I'm feeling pretty good about our prospects for the coming season.

[Layton]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

If you missed it, Coach Howlett was on sportsline last night and said Brady has looked as good as he did before and is definitely playing

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Don't they start every year at No. 1?

It will be interesting if the coaches vote them No. 1 in the MEC poll ahead of Fairmont State?

Fairmont was #2 in mec poll by only 1 point to wl!
The d2 bulletin preseason poll is out. Bellarmine is #1.
Wl is #6. Nova southeastern is #8 !!

[WVIAC-F-EVER]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Saw somebody had a question about NCAA D1/D2/D3 Red shirt Rules

NCAA D1 football now allows a football student to play in 4 games anytime and still be a red-shirt.

NCAA D2 Basketball allows for a freshman qualifier in their first two semesters of college to play in the 3 annual exemptions before the season starts...

NCAA D2 Basketball allows a freshman, sophomore, junior of senior, the opportunity to play in One alumni game, one fundraising activity, or one celebrity sports activity provided the event is exempted from the institution`s maximum number of contests or dates of competition as permitted in the particular sport per Bylaw 17

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

New commit https://www.hudl.com/v/29nBYH

Thanks for info.
Wow. Very complete player.deep 3 range, slasher, good ball handling in traffic. good moves around basket. Great understanding of game. Unselfish. 3.96 gpa 1260 sat.

Great addition.

[Layton]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

New commit https://www.hudl.com/v/29nBYH

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Hill will have an opportunity to earn his minutes in preseason practice and in early games. Produce and he will be on the court. WLU shows no aversion to playing and even starting true freshmen over more senior players if they earn it. I'd be more than happy with him as the starting PG because that would mean he beat out two proven performers.

Good points. That is one of the many things I like about Wlu basketball. Everyone has to earn their minutes every day in practice through hustle and effort and results.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I would not be surprised to see hill get big minutes. Very athletic, skilled, smart player. Broke damon stringers career scoring record at Cleveland heights. They had Solon on the ropes until last 4 minutes of tourney game ( Solon went to d1 finals).

Hill will have an opportunity to earn his minutes in preseason practice and in early games. Produce and he will be on the court. WLU shows no aversion to playing and even starting true freshmen over more senior players if they earn it. I'd be more than happy with him as the starting PG because that would mean he beat out two proven performers.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

The most important thing is that Arnold returns to full health! But from a WLU basketball prespective, having him back at 100% would be a huge bonus. Would give us a PG rotation of Arnold, former starting PG Dyer as the principle back up with freshman Yahel Hill getting in-game seasoning as the #3 PG and occasional 2 guard.

I would not be surprised to see hill get big minutes. Very athletic, skilled, smart player. Broke damon stringers career scoring record at Cleveland heights. They had Solon on the ropes until last 4 minutes of tourney game ( Solon went to d1 finals).

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I sure hope not.

WLU's coaches watched the Ship v Kutz game from last year so they know how the beat Kutztown.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

So Sleva plays for Kutztown now??

I sure hope not.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I have heard he is practicing with the team and looking good. Heard he worked out hard during summer.
Going to be some tears of joy flowing among fans when he is introduced on nov 9.

The most important thing is that Arnold returns to full health! But from a WLU basketball prespective, having him back at 100% would be a huge bonus. Would give us a PG rotation of Arnold, former starting PG Dyer as the principle back up with freshman Yahel Hill getting in-game seasoning as the #3 PG and occasional 2 guard.