Topic: NHR: Wheeling Jesuit vs. West Liberty...

[backontrack]

Looking forward to watching this tomorrow on ASN...it's rare that #1 plays #2 at any level...so, who are the best players to be watching???...

[overherd1]

West liberty's leading scoring is a guy named Bonifant...averages about 25 a game.  They also have a young man from Parkersburg, think his name is Hoehn who contributes a lot.  Not sure about Wheeling Jesuit's players.  It should be a good game, Jesuit beat them earlier in the year.

[FlyHawk98]

Very excited about this too.

Bonifant is one of the best pure shooters you will ever watch. He averages over 50% from 3 point range for his CAREER. He is a legit pure shooter, and is about 6'7''. Has really expanded his game last year or so, just a great player to watch in my opinion.

Devon Hoen is the kid from Parkersburg. Very athletic guard, quick off the dribble and of course he can shoot. Hoen has been hurt and hasn't played the last few weeks. Still not sure if he will be playing against Jesuit or not. West Lib is a much better team when he is on the floor. Junior Guard that has played significant minutes since his FR year and started last 2 years.

David Dennis- Freshmen Guard and this kid is a STUD. He's another one of those "How did he fall through the D1 cracks" kind of kid. Gets up and down the floor great, and handles the ball very well. Still just can't believe West Lib got him. Most likely because he is only 6'1'' but I think we would be tickled to have him here at Marshall.

Grossenbacher is another kid from Parkersburg. He transferred to West Liberty from Wofford. He is West Lib's "big man." Listed at 6'8'' 230 lbs, but of course he is athletic and can shoot the 3 decent. Not as good of a shooter as previous West Lib big men, but he can play down low a little better than previous ones imo. 



Bonifant would be the leading scorer at Marshall imo. I was hoping he would do what Browning did and transfer in when DD got the job, but it never happened. Hoen and Dennis would both play significant minutes here at Marshall, but Bonifant is the one we could really use. Imagine Loop on a hot streak that never goes cold....as well as being 6'7''.


I do not personally think this is a NC type team for West Liberty, but this is also the first year I have not watched EVERY single game. To me, there just seems to be something missing. It might be from starting/playing a few Freshmen guards. It might be because Hoen has battled injuries all year and they have never got into a rhythm. I just can't seem to put my finger on it.

This will be a packed house and a great game to watch. MEC has great D2 basketball with three teams ranked in the top 5 of the country.

#1 Wheeling Jesuit
#2 West Liberty

#5 Fairmont State

Concord was receiving votes, but not sure if they still are or not.

[overherd1]

West Liberty is fun to watch and Bonifant is really good.  I did notice that Hoehn played in there game last night, so it appears he is back as West Liberty makes another run.  The MEC conference is a good basketball conference and their tournament in Charleston next weekend will be entertaining.

[goherd50]

I watched the Wheeling Jesuit - Fairmont game a couple of weeks ago when visiting family in Wheeling.  Fun game to watch.

During warm-ups I was sure that Jesuit would get killed.  Fairmont has some very athletic guys in the 6'6" to 6'8" range.  One guy had a couple of dunks that he had to duck to keep from hitting his head on the rim.  Jesuit on the other hand looked a pick-up team at the Y.  Scraggly beards, goofy looking. 

That is until the game started.  They played harder and more fundamentally sound.  Really boxed out well and out rebounded the more athletic Fairmont team.  Very close game that Jesuit won.  Their point guard has an Amish looking beard and just doesn't look like a basketball player, but he plays hard and smart.  He and their other starting guard are both very good shooters. Can't recall any names.

[overherd1]

I've watched the Amish looking guy for a couple of years at the MEC tournament....you are right he is good.  You are also right that they don't look like a bball team....looks can be deceiving.

[wltopper]

I watched the Wheeling Jesuit - Fairmont game a couple of weeks ago when visiting family in Wheeling.  Fun game to watch.

During warm-ups I was sure that Jesuit would get killed.  Fairmont has some very athletic guys in the 6'6" to 6'8" range.  One guy had a couple of dunks that he had to duck to keep from hitting his head on the rim.  Jesuit on the other hand looked a pick-up team at the Y.  Scraggly beards, goofy looking. 

That is until the game started.  They played harder and more fundamentally sound.  Really boxed out well and out rebounded the more athletic Fairmont team.  Very close game that Jesuit won.  Their point guard has an Amish looking beard and just doesn't look like a basketball player, but he plays hard and smart.  He and their other starting guard are both very good shooters. Can't recall any names.

LOL...agree on Jesuit and the eye test (beards, hair, etc.)  Two senior guards are Justin Fritts (Mr. Ohio Basketball hs senior year) and Eric Siefert.  These two are heady/experienced and are the main reasons WJU is having a banner year.  With that said, I look for West Liberty to take them down tomorrow. 

Flyhawk...what you probably can't put your finger on are a couple of things about West Liberty this year.  Players 6 through 10 are not as talented or experienced this year as in the past.  When you lose to upper-class guards Lococo (6-3) and Smith (6-4) for the year due to injuries-- you end up playing some kids that need some additional time in the system.  Loss of these two role players had a bigger impact than most realize.  Also the team is not as athletic as teams of the past with the exception of David Dennis.  And don't forget former WV player of the year Bubby Goodwin would have been a senior--- but didn't fit the "team first" philosophy of the Hilltoppers and left the program. 

It's pretty amazing that WL is in position to win another championship despite the league being stronger and WL not quite as talented.  The games in the Conference and NCAA tourney should be very competitive this year with 3 WV teams having a good shot to get to at least the Elite 8.

[marcbuff]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Hilltoppers ! The ONLY Hilltoppers that matter. ;)

[rvntx]

Just watched West Liberty win.........Good game. Could definitely, tell this was not D1 basketball.

[The Right Stuff]

If Bonifant could the Herd's leading scorer with Kelly on the team that would really be something. 8)

TRS
MU 71

[FlyHawk98]

Well Bonifant is the all time NCAA leader across all divisions for 3 pointers made, as well as percentage for season, and percentage for his career.

He makes around 53% of his 3 point attempts for his CAREER. On a team that is like Marshall, they take a lot of 3's.

He's also 6'7''

Now don't get me wrong. No one can match Kelly's athletic ability and what he brings to the floor. I'm not saying Bonifant is necessarily better or anything like that. In Marshall's style of play, I think it is very reasonable to think Bonifant could lead the team in scoring.

If nothing else, he would be a major contributor and a major upgrade from Loop.

[marcbuff]

Agree Fly Hawk. I was amazed that Crutchfield is the College Basketball ALL TIME Winingest Coach by %.  ;)