[ToTheLeft]

Also as far as recruits go..they arent all like "ehhhh" most will see this as their chance to shine...you're now replacing close to half the shots with the departures of Seth and Ant

Exactly!

We got verbals from Ovie Soko, Chris Perez and Bo Barnes, and they would have known "Look, we're losing some people and we need you guys to fill that void thats left, to step up and embrace the opportunity."

That doesn't sound like "ehhh" to me, that sounds like kids who wanna be here and are up to the challenge.

[ToTheLeft]

Also as far as recruits go..they arent all like "ehhhh" most will see this as their chance to shine...you're now replacing close to half the shots with the departures of Seth and Ant

true you can look at it that way or you can be a high schooler who lives a life of drama and doesn't want to step into something that looks like controlled ciaos... it just doesn't seem appealing...

But look that two different but relevant points so thats why i said ehhh

Name one program that isn't controlled chaos. UNC? HA! Duke? ROFL! This is college athletics with big money and high stakes, it's all chaos bro.

[Hold My Own]

Agree...if stepping up into a role that was held by a nationally recognized player does not appeal to you then I'm asking for you not to consider signing with Liberty

[ToTheLeft]

Agree...if stepping up into a role that was held by a nationally recognized player does not appeal to you then I'm asking for you not to consider signing with Liberty

HMO man, no homo or anything, but we're definitely thinking on the same wavelength here and I like it. This team is looking like it has an excellent future, and the sky isnt falling, but the sky is the limit.

[Hold My Own]

It's far from falling...seriously, if you're a donor and actually concerned about this mess...I'm asking you to stop by the basketball offices and watch them...you would never know...FF are the only people that are panicking...which is a good thing I guess b/c we dont determine wins and losses


And yes...no homo

[ALAFlamesFan]

I agree that we have to move out of the Big South at the earliest possible moment (I have been saying that since 1995) but on the other hand if there is one thing we did learn this year it is that you can get good press exposure even if you play in a conference like ours. Combine that with the one of a kind experience LU gives you and I think we can still land outstanding talent here from time to time and if we really do have a roadmap to bigger and better things for our athletic department and we can articulate that then I think we can make a pretty persuasive argument for high mid major/low major talent to come here on a regular basis. (By the way I think RMK and Coach Rocco are already proving that to be true and Coach T has been doing it for years in track and cross country)

[GoUNCA]

All this blaming the Big South is dumb. A better conference is not a reason for success. Northwestern is in the Big Ten and they have never made an NCAA tourney. Winthrop is the one who is (was?) dominating the Big South and they certainly couldn't have moved conferences. They started to lose and their bandwagon really fell apart, just look at their attendance numbers. They are the only ones who could talk about jumping conferences, but they are staying the course (kind of like what everyone is mad at Seth for not doing). John Swofford is not the reason the ACC is highly recognized, just watch an ACC tourney game that isn't Duke or Carolina (the attendance is pitiful). I won't even mention the bad attendance to the ACC's football championship game.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, your school holds you back way more than the conference does. "The Liberty Way" is similar to the "VMI way" and that is that it really is going to appeal to a small amount of people. All of the schools listed so far (UNC-CH, Duke, VT, UCONN) are all schools that are not pinned in ideologically. And I imagine it will only get worse as the nations demographics continue to change. So unless every southern baptist decides to become a flame, you really have dug yourself your own hole.

[Realist]

You guys had me feeling sorry for you about the classless crap Curry pulled.

Start acting like the conference holds you back, and it will end.

Curry acted classless, but don't start acting like it yourselves. The conference hasn't held you back, only in Women's basketball can you make that claim and no one cares about that.

[Realist]

All this blaming the Big South is dumb. A better conference is not a reason for success. Northwestern is in the Big Ten and they have never made an NCAA tourney. Winthrop is the one who is (was?) dominating the Big South and they certainly couldn't have moved conferences. They started to lose and their bandwagon really fell apart, just look at their attendance numbers. They are the only ones who could talk about jumping conferences, but they are staying the course (kind of like what everyone is mad at Seth for not doing). John Swofford is not the reason the ACC is highly recognized, just watch an ACC tourney game that isn't Duke or Carolina (the attendance is pitiful). I won't even mention the bad attendance to the ACC's football championship game.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, your school holds you back way more than the conference does. "The Liberty Way" is similar to the "VMI way" and that is that it really is going to appeal to a small amount of people. All of the schools listed so far (UNC-CH, Duke, VT, UCONN) are all schools that are not pinned in ideologically. And I imagine it will only get worse as the nations demographics continue to change. So unless every southern baptist decides to become a flame, you really have dug yourself your own hole.

Double true.

[PAmedic]

I think its been a real issue for us in FB. And for once I'm not stirring the pot REALIST. Without a team, that's not even on the radar for you guys- but its been a real problem for 2 years now on our part.

Our sports year really revolves around FB and hoops. Lately, baseball is becoming a big part, but honestly- its FB and MBB.

[ToTheLeft]

You guys had me feeling sorry for you about the classless crap Curry pulled.

Start acting like the conference holds you back, and it will end.

Curry acted classless, but don't start acting like it yourselves. The conference hasn't held you back, only in Women's basketball can you make that claim and no one cares about that.

I agree... if anyone had the claim that the BSC was holding them back in basketball is was the 'Throp dynasty... maybe we can cry about football and womens basketball but that's about it. We lost to freaking Presby guys, what makes you think we'd compete with VCU ODU GMU and the CAA every year, much less the ACC like some of you crazies think is in the cards for us. We might be able to handle ourselves, but we're just fine in the Big South. This is a pretty tired discussion, anyways.

[ALAFlamesFan]

You guys had me feeling sorry for you about the classless crap Curry pulled.

Start acting like the conference holds you back, and it will end.

Curry acted classless, but don't start acting like it yourselves. The conference hasn't held you back, only in Women's basketball can you make that claim and no one cares about that.

I agree... if anyone had the claim that the BSC was holding them back in basketball is was the 'Throp dynasty... maybe we can cry about football and womens basketball but that's about it. We lost to freaking Presby guys, what makes you think we'd compete with VCU ODU GMU and the CAA every year, much less the ACC like some of you crazies think is in the cards for us. We might be able to handle ourselves, but we're just fine in the Big South. This is a pretty tired discussion, anyways.

Ok, then I don't want to hear anymore about that "crazy" guy who said he wanted us to be like Notre Dame...

although if ND keeps up this pace in football they might want to join the BSC to get a few wins...

[ToTheLeft]

You guys had me feeling sorry for you about the classless crap Curry pulled.

Start acting like the conference holds you back, and it will end.

Curry acted classless, but don't start acting like it yourselves. The conference hasn't held you back, only in Women's basketball can you make that claim and no one cares about that.

I agree... if anyone had the claim that the BSC was holding them back in basketball is was the 'Throp dynasty... maybe we can cry about football and womens basketball but that's about it. We lost to freaking Presby guys, what makes you think we'd compete with VCU ODU GMU and the CAA every year, much less the ACC like some of you crazies think is in the cards for us. We might be able to handle ourselves, but we're just fine in the Big South. This is a pretty tired discussion, anyways.

Ok, then I don't want to hear anymore about that "crazy" guy who said he wanted us to be like Notre Dame...

although if ND keeps up this pace in football they might want to join the BSC to get a few wins...

So you want to be in the Big East? You think just by joining the Big East we'll be a better school?

We couldn't beat DePaul this year, and they went WINLESS in the Big East. You have to BUILD a program, it doesn't just appear. For only being 38 years old as a SCHOOL we aren't doing too bad... time to take a different perspective here... Our school is younger than Joe Paterno's Tenure at his school.

[Ed Dantes]

All this blaming the Big South is dumb. A better conference is not a reason for success.

Our conference is our Emmanuel Goldstein. We need something upon which to direct our two-minutes of hate.

[GoUNCA]

All this blaming the Big South is dumb. A better conference is not a reason for success.

Our conference is our Emmanuel Goldstein. We need something upon which to direct our two-minutes of hate.

At least it isn't on homosexuals or people not like you for a change.

[ALAFlamesFan]

TTL- I don't think we disagree that much about this. We have to build a program. In several sport we already have. Part of building that program is looking for the opportunity to move up in conference affiliation. We might not be ready yet but some thought VaTech wasn't ready to move to the ACC when they did but you have to pounce on the opportunity when it comes to you that is all I am saying... It should be a goal of every program with our aspirations as stated by our founder.

That is not "crazy".

[rueful]

All this blaming the Big South is dumb. A better conference is not a reason for success.

Our conference is our Emmanuel Goldstein. We need something upon which to direct our two-minutes of hate.

At least it isn't on homosexuals or people not like you for a change.

huh?

im not saying we need to move conferences because its holding us back in basketball. its across the board. Im not even saying right now, but in several years, it will be much more apparent. Might as well start making those plans now, getting our feelers out there.

The difference with seth. seth made it seem like this is where he wanted to be, he loved it here, couldnt be happier. Then he bolts. I dont think anyone is stupid enough to say that Jerry's vision for LU athletics was to be the Notre Dame for Evangelicals, and we could accomplish that in the big south.

[ToTheLeft]

TTL- I don't think we disagree that much about this. We have to build a program. In several sport we already have. Part of building that program is looking for the opportunity to move up in conference affiliation we might not be ready yet but some thought VaTech wasn't ready to move to the ACC when they did but you have to pounce on the opportunity when you comes to you that is all I am saying... It should be a goal of every program with our aspirations as stated by our founder.

That is not "crazy".

And I am sure we are looking to move... but this "We have to get out now or we will never succeed" business isn't practical. Not saying you said that, just saying that seems to be the though. I have been ticked about the big south and how weak it is, too, but...

There is more than likely going to be a conference forming soon made up of teams formerly of the CAA south... if and when that happens I would say we are very likely to hop on board... and that would be an improvement.

[rueful]

and i dont think we need to be in the ACC.

[ToTheLeft]

and i dont think we need to be in the ACC.

Well there isnt much else out there. Our choices, geographically are

ACC
Big East
MAC?
CUSA?
CAA (which is way too full, and like i said we are better off waiting til it splits...)
SoCon

[FlameNForest]

We lost to freaking Presby guys, what makes you think we'd compete with VCU ODU GMU and the CAA every year, much less the ACC like some of you crazies think is in the cards for us. We might be able to handle ourselves, but we're just fine in the Big South. This is a pretty tired discussion, anyways.

A better conference with better competition tends to bring in better recruits and bring out the best in players.

Remember how VT wasn't going to be able to compete with those big ACC teams? I think VT has done quite well for themselves in the ACC.

I'm definitely not saying we should go to the ACC, but a better 1-AA conference should've been actively pursued a decade ago, and I don't think we'd have too much trouble trying to compete wtih the VCU's, JMU's, GMU's ODU's etc once we got established in a conference like that.

Of course I know you have to be wanted by a conference, but over the last 10-15 years, I don't think we've really pursued it.

[clemsonlu]

Not sure whether the conference holding us back can be measured by wins and losses on the field. I think what separates us from the rest of the teams in the conference is facilities and our vision for growth. Our end goal is not be be affiliated with the Big South, CAA or any other FCS conference. We want to be competing with the big boys. It has been stated from the top down for years.

We have by far the best facilites and arguably the best campus in the conference, and are continuing to grow. Looking at some of the gyms in our conference takes me back to my high school days.

We have positive momentum in our AD which is a tribute to AD Barber and his coaches. IMO now is the time to exploit that momentum and push forward. I submit that the BSC needs Liberty more than Liberty needs the BSC. Almost every big time school came from a lower level conference. What truly separates us from the big boys is indeed in small part tradition, which will be overcome, but also alumni support. WE as alumni have to pack the VINES, and WILLIAMS stadium every event and demand expansion by donating money and stipulate that it be used to build the AD rather than pay for Convocation speakers. An active alumni base will leverage decisions and support from the AD and school administration.

[jcmanson]

The Big East is always hiring, maybe we can join them

[jcmanson]

and i dont think we need to be in the ACC.

Well there isnt much else out there. Our choices, geographically are

ACC
Big East
MAC?
CUSA?
CAA (which is way too full, and like i said we are better off waiting til it splits...)
SoCon

You forgot the A-10

[rueful]

and i dont think we need to be in the ACC.

Well there isnt much else out there. Our choices, geographically are

ACC
Big East
MAC?
CUSA?
CAA (which is way too full, and like i said we are better off waiting til it splits...)
SoCon

Which is part of the dilemma. We are by no means ready to be in a ACC, Big East, SEC, and most likely we never will be. But the big south really is the joke of the NCAA. I think if the CAA split and was teams who were interested in 10 years moving up or something and we could get in, that would be ideal