West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

What's the buzz out of Fairmont and other top MEC schools? The two WJ guys got snubbed on all those preseason AA teams. Moseh is one of the best players in the country. Jolle, too, IMO, got snubbed.

Could ND make a legit run? Vorhees is a monster. Enough around him?

I recall Shepherd made some big strides last year and returns most of the team.

Very curious to see Gannon open with WJ. I was shocked Gannon got picked second in the West. Always interesting to see a fast team play Gannon and its 45 ppg pace. GU lost by 1 point down there two years ago. Gannon has a couple studs but not nearly enough to hang with WJ.

The Slippery Rock vs Shepherd rematch will also be a good one. Rock kind of beat them up last year.

WL vs Cheyney, however, won't be real interesting to watch ... probably 130-60. Seton Hill will be a better test. They have Trevor Blondin back after missing last year. He's a very good player. They also have a monster inside but if they can't slow the game down he'll be tapped by the half.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Looking at this team, I think this will be a surprising year...I just don't know weather it will be surprisingly good or surprisingly bad. WLU has the parts to be very, very good BUUUTTT a good portion of that potential is unproven and they have some holes that could bite them big time (lack of size and now no proven PG). I think a lot will depend on how well they shoot the three as a team...We shot 359 last season and we struggled...in years that we have been really good, we've shot in the 410 range. Our lack of size this year almost demands that we shoot well from three range.

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I think Smith will play a big role throughout the season abd could break out and become a starter. But right now, I just see others as a tick better...or perhaps more appropriately, more upside. That's why I didn't include him in my "two deep." But if Coach H does things like Crutch, about 12 players will get roughly the same number of minutes (except Monty) for the first half of the season.

I don't agree on Watson. Sure, he is a good player and has a real chance to be a big contributor, but I just don't see him as a PG. Sure, he can handle the ball but from what I've gleened through videos, stats and game reports on him at Lincoln and in HS, he's never filled the PG position (I'm sure there have been brief times were he's triggered the offense during a given game). Tough enough for a Senior to transfer from a bad college program to a top tier one and be productive right out of the gate...almost unheard of for that same person to additionally have a position change to a position that is responsible for triggering the entire offense...particularly when that player has never played that position. Dyer has been a PG all through HS and has a year in the WLU system as a redshirt. If he's not ready now, good chance he never will be. Just my feeling, if Watson is the starting PG ahead of Dyer, that would be a bright red flag that we have some SERIOUS problems this year.

I see your point re watson. Great shooting guard. Very quick release on the Trey. Maybe dyer and saben at pg? The way they share the ball the pg does not hold the ball as much as other teams imho so it may not be such a critical position.

Wlu has more and more great shooters who are also slashers: Monty, Griffin, Watson, saben, yoakum, smith ( although probably affected by his prior injury), bolon.
Makes it risky for opponent to aggressively defend the Trey. Example was ferris state versus msu. Msu player went airborne on 3 pt ball fake and fell on his head.

Also allows wl to draw fouls on the slash.
This year should be interesting.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I love your perspective Boat, but we disagree...I think Jordan Watson gets the start at PG..for reasons you mentioned..Dyer is a Redshirt FR...
Also see Dalton playing SG or SF, not PG...
There's no doubt Brandon Smith will be in the 2-deep...Senior, crafty, heady...he'll be in there...
Otherwise, I think Allen will play much bigger than he is...He's built!

Interested to finally see French in action...much ballyhooed recruit (like they all are) and hasn't really played in 2 years..

First Game Starters (not who starts in March, but now)
Watson
Monty
Allen
Griffin
Smith

I think Smith will play a big role throughout the season abd could break out and become a starter. But right now, I just see others as a tick better...or perhaps more appropriately, more upside. That's why I didn't include him in my "two deep." But if Coach H does things like Crutch, about 12 players will get roughly the same number of minutes (except Monty) for the first half of the season.

I don't agree on Watson. Sure, he is a good player and has a real chance to be a big contributor, but I just don't see him as a PG. Sure, he can handle the ball but from what I've gleened through videos, stats and game reports on him at Lincoln and in HS, he's never filled the PG position (I'm sure there have been brief times were he's triggered the offense during a given game). Tough enough for a Senior to transfer from a bad college program to a top tier one and be productive right out of the gate...almost unheard of for that same person to additionally have a position change to a position that is responsible for triggering the entire offense...particularly when that player has never played that position. Dyer has been a PG all through HS and has a year in the WLU system as a redshirt. If he's not ready now, good chance he never will be. Just my feeling, if Watson is the starting PG ahead of Dyer, that would be a bright red flag that we have some SERIOUS problems this year.

[IUP Extra Mile]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

16 days and counting until the first game of the Howlet era of WLU basketball. Heading into the season, here is my projection of the "two deep" for game one:

PG Luke Dyer, Dalton Bolon
SG Dan Monteroso, Jordan Watson
SG Nate Allen, Kegan Saben
SF James Griffin, Marlon Moore
SF Evan French, Eric Meininger

That's 55+ points in returning college level scoring. Assuming a 100 PPG average and assuming no dramatic increases in production, that will require 45 points coming primarily from French, Moore, Saben, Dyer and Bolon plus others that work their way into the lineup on an ad hoc basis (Such as Brandon Smith, Tyler Primmer and Joe Ochoa).

Critical early season questions:

1. How will the team react to the loss of their long time HC?
2. Is Dyer up to the challenge of being the starting PG for a nationally prominent DII program?
3. Will a "well rested" Monteroso equal an even more productive Monteroso?
4. How will WLU cover for their lack of size?
5. Which freshmen will redshirt?
6. Will Ben Howlet be a Crutchfeld clone or will he coach differently?

Interesting "factoid." People say WLU has two "returning starters." Not true. WLU actually has four players with NCAA starting experience...Monteroso, Griffin (WLU and D1 Marist), Meininger, and Watson (at DII Lincoln) plus a fifth player with D1 playing experience in Allen (D1 NC Central). How many other programs have four returning players with starting experience?

I love your perspective Boat, but we disagree...I think Jordan Watson gets the start at PG..for reasons you mentioned..Dyer is a Redshirt FR...
Also see Dalton playing SG or SF, not PG...
There's no doubt Brandon Smith will be in the 2-deep...Senior, crafty, heady...he'll be in there...
Otherwise, I think Allen will play much bigger than he is...He's built!

Interested to finally see French in action...much ballyhooed recruit (like they all are) and hasn't really played in 2 years..

First Game Starters (not who starts in March, but now)
Watson
Monty
Allen
Griffin
Smith

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

16 days and counting until the first game of the Howlet era of WLU basketball. Heading into the season, here is my projection of the "two deep" for game one:

PG Luke Dyer, Dalton Bolon
SG Dan Monteroso, Jordan Watson
SG Nate Allen, Kegan Saben
SF James Griffin, Marlon Moore
SF Evan French, Eric Meininger

That's 55+ points in returning college level scoring. Assuming a 100 PPG average and assuming no dramatic increases in production, that will require 45 points coming primarily from French, Moore, Saben, Dyer and Bolon plus others that work their way into the lineup on an ad hoc basis (Such as Brandon Smith, Tyler Primmer and Joe Ochoa).

Critical early season questions:

1. How will the team react to the loss of their long time HC?
2. Is Dyer up to the challenge of being the starting PG for a nationally prominent DII program?
3. Will a "well rested" Monteroso equal an even more productive Monteroso?
4. How will WLU cover for their lack of size?
5. Which freshmen will redshirt?
6. Will Ben Howlet be a Crutchfeld clone or will he coach differently?

Interesting "factoid." People say WLU has two "returning starters." Not true. WLU actually has four players with NCAA starting experience...Monteroso, Griffin (WLU and D1 Marist), Meininger, and Watson (at DII Lincoln) plus a fifth player with D1 playing experience in Allen (D1 NC Central). How many other programs have four returning players with starting experience?

[WVFanatic]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Prayers up to Brady and his family

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

The link mentioned there could be some form of possible fundraiser or something. I'm not on Twitter and don't check WL's web site. If they do something please share it on here.

[boatcapt]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Terrible news but he is talking about redshirting and coming back for next season. If it is cancer, there are many forms that will allow for a full recovery after his treatment. His age and physical condition are certainly pluses in whatever treatment he will have to endure on his road to recovery as will a positive mental attitude. By all accounts in addition to the first two, he has the third in spades!!

[Layton]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Official word is he has an illness but I know he's at a cancer hospital, still I can't confirm what exactly it is but here is the article from WL

http://hilltoppersports.com/news/201...er-senior.aspx

[Columbuseer]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Anyone know what's wrong with Brady? It doesn't sound good

https://twitter.com/wluhoops/status/922495819135164416

Edit: I believe he has some form of cancer, wow that's terrible

Brady will be in my prayers. He was a favorite player. I loved his determination to win. I am sure he will attack cancer with the same grit that he displayed in running down and stopping fast breaks from behind. That attitude is going to make him a huge success in his career after basketball. Get well soon
Brady!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Terrible to hear ... best wishes toward Brady and his family.

[DownLow55]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Anyone know what's wrong with Brady? It doesn't sound good

https://twitter.com/wluhoops/status/922495819135164416

Edit: I believe he has some form of cancer, wow that's terrible

Praying for this young man. Life is fragile and things like this always put basketball, sports, etc. into perspective. Again... praying for Brady's full recovery in defeating this disease.

[Layton]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

Anyone know what's wrong with Brady? It doesn't sound good

https://twitter.com/wluhoops/status/922495819135164416

Edit: I believe he has some form of cancer, wow that's terrible

[CardinalAlum]

Re: West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

I noticed Wheeling Jesuit has 24 players in its team photo/roster. Obviously that's double everybody else. Do they have a freshman team or something?

I believe there's a JV team but I have no clue how many games they play or who they play. I know in the past they've played against nearby NAIA and D3 schools like Point Park and Marietta, but I have no clue.

A roster size of 24 is about average for us. A few years ago there were over 30 people on the roster. Sure the majority of them only played JV, but they still gave it their all every single day hoping to get called up to varsity.