- November 8th, 2009, 11:40 pm
#283793
Liberty Flames
(Last Season: 23-12 overall; 12-6 in Big South, 3rd, lost in semifinals of Big South Tournament)
Head Coach: Dale Layer
Returning Players (with stats from 08-09 season):
G Kyle Ohman, sr. (6-4, 200) – 13.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg, 42.5 FG%, 41.5 3PT% (100 made threes), 76.8 FT% - 33.5 min/game
G Jesse Sanders, so. (6-3, 200) – 6.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 51.4 FG%, 22.6 3PT% (7 made threes), 75.9 FT% - 30.5 min/game
G Jeremy Anderson, so. (6-4, 200) – Redshirted in 08-09 – 07-08 stats: 6.8 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 41.3 FG%, 39.3 3PT% (46 made threes), 70.0 FT% - 18.8 min/game
F Tyler Baker, sr. (6-9, 215) – 4.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 43.8 FG%, 28.6 3PT% (10 made threes), 81.0 FT% - 12.3 min/game
G Johnny Stephene, so. (6-2, 200) – 3.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 43.4 FG%, 30.3 3PT% (10 made threes), 66.0 FT% - 15.3 min/game
G Bill Weaver, so. (6-4, 200) – 1.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 47.1 FG%, 0 made threes, 38.5 FT% - 6.4 min/game
G James Spencer, jr. (6-1, 190) – 0.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 50.0 FG%, 44.4 3PT% (4 made threes), 40.0 FT% - 11.5 min/game
C Carter McMasters, fr. (6-11, 210) – 1.6 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 23.1 FG%, 25.0 3PT% (2 made threes), 0 made FTs – 9.0 min/game – Played in 5 games
Players that are Gone:
G Seth Curry (6-3, 180) – 20.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg, 41.7 FG%, 34.7 3PT% (102 made threes), 83.2 FT% - 36.5 min/game
G Anthony Smith (6-5, 220) – 17.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 49.8 FG%, 37.1 3PT% (75 made threes), 65.8 FT% - 36.3 min/game
F Brolin Floyd (6-6, 212) – 6.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 46.8 FG%, 26.3 3PT% (10 made threes), 60.6 FT% - 23.6 min/game
F Austin Smith (6-9, 220) – 2.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 59.6 FG%, 0 made threes, 59.3 FT% - 8.3 min/game
G Chris Summers (6-4, 190) – 1.7 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 62.5 FG%, 50.0 3PT% (1 made three), 50.0 FT% - 4.0 min/game – Played in 7 games
Newcomers:
F Taylor Jensen, jr. (6-9, 205) – Walk-on transfer from Clearwater Christian
G David Minaya, so. (6-6, 205) – Transfer from Tennessee Tech – 07-08 stats: 3.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 30.8 FG%, 30.0 3PT% (24 made threes), 81.3 FT% - 14.0 min/game
C Joel Vander Pol, fr. (6-10, 220)
F Patrick Konan, fr. (6-5, 205)
F Antwan Burrus, fr. (6-6, 210)
G Evan Gordon, fr. (6-2, 185)
G Chris Perez, fr. (6-4, 197)
About the Flames:
To say that Liberty had an eventful offseason is an understatement. First, the Flames lost Seth Curry, the reigning Big South Freshman of the Year, as he decided to transfer to Duke. Soon after that, head coach Ritchie McKay resigns from his post at LU in order to take an assistant coaching position at Virginia. Point guard Jesse Sanders also considered transferring as well, but luckily for the Flames, new coach Dale Layer was able to convince him to stick around, which gives an otherwise volatile situation a little bit of stability. It is difficult to get a good read on what to expect from LU this season, though there are a few positives going for Layer’s program going into this new era of Liberty basketball.
The most obvious positive note is that Sanders decided to stay put in Lynchburg. As a freshman, Sanders showed a maturity at the point guard spot that you rarely see in a player so young. He was very effective at spreading the ball around and running the offense. Expect to see a bit more assertiveness by Sanders when it comes to shooting the basketball this season, and if he is able to be a weapon with his jump shot, that will be a huge weapon for the Flames. Another positive for the program is that senior Kyle Ohman brings his accurate outside shot to the court for one more season. Ohman has taken huge steps since his arrival as a walk-on three seasons ago, and now is huge scoring threat in the Big South and a solid rebounder for a shooting guard/small forward. While Sanders and Ohman will be the stars for this team, they will have a large cast of returning players and new faces to help them out in the backcourt. After missing all of last season with an injury, sophomore Jeremy Anderson brings his three-point shooting attack back to the court. Sophomore Johnny Stephene also returns, and he will compliment the outside shooting of Ohman and Anderson with a game that relies more on slashing to the basket. Expect three guards on the floor many times for LU, so newcomers David Minaya, Evan Gordon, and Chris Perez to see plenty of time on the court as well. Minaya is a transfer from Tennessee Tech and has the potential to be one of the key weapons for the Flames this year.
One of the biggest differences between Layer and McKay is that while McKay was comfortable playing 4 or 5 guards at time, Layer is known for being a coach that enjoys working with the big guys, so expect to see a lot more emphasis on post play and interior defense than under the old regime. That being said, two of the ‘big guys’ that will get a lot of the frontcourt minutes are just as likely to shoot the ball from the perimeter as they are to score from the paint. Senior Tyler Baker and freshman Carter McMasters can be match-up nightmares due to their height and ability to stretch defenses. Baker has had an injury plagued career, but has shown flashes of what he can do when given an open look from outside. McMasters played a few games last season before an injury sidelined him and forced him to take a redshirt year. McMasters will be asked to shoulder a bit more of the load inside than what is expected of Baker, but he can also be a weapon from outside. A trio of freshmen will also help the Flames up front. Center Joel Vander Pol is perhaps the most intriguing newcomer, primarily because he is the only true post player on the roster and Layer may lean on him early if he proves he is prepared to handle college competition. Forwards Patrick Konan and Antwan Burrus are a pair of athletic wings that have bigger builds than most college newcomers, so when Layer is looking to have a bigger, athletic, or more physical line-up on the floor, expect to see Konan and/or Burrus out there.
I honestly will not be surprised if Liberty finishes anywhere from about third place all the way to seventh. So I have decided to put the Flames right in the middle of the pack. Mixing all of the newcomers along with only a few key returnees will ensure that there will be growing pains for this program, especially with a new head coach. And there is also no doubt that losing the scoring ability of Curry and Anthony Smith will hurt the Flames at time. However, Liberty was often one dimensional on offense last season (heavily reliant on the three-point shot) and often lacking on the defensive end. With Layer at the helm, expect a bit more balance on offense (though the Flames will still shoot plenty of three pointers due to the make-up of the roster) and more emphasis on defense. The changes in style could help offset some of the personnel losses, and with solid point guard play from Sanders, do not expect a big drop off for Liberty.
My Prediction:
18-13 overall, 11-7 in conference – 5th place finish – lose in first round of Big South Tournament
(Last Season: 23-12 overall; 12-6 in Big South, 3rd, lost in semifinals of Big South Tournament)
Head Coach: Dale Layer
Returning Players (with stats from 08-09 season):
G Kyle Ohman, sr. (6-4, 200) – 13.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg, 42.5 FG%, 41.5 3PT% (100 made threes), 76.8 FT% - 33.5 min/game
G Jesse Sanders, so. (6-3, 200) – 6.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 51.4 FG%, 22.6 3PT% (7 made threes), 75.9 FT% - 30.5 min/game
G Jeremy Anderson, so. (6-4, 200) – Redshirted in 08-09 – 07-08 stats: 6.8 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 41.3 FG%, 39.3 3PT% (46 made threes), 70.0 FT% - 18.8 min/game
F Tyler Baker, sr. (6-9, 215) – 4.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 43.8 FG%, 28.6 3PT% (10 made threes), 81.0 FT% - 12.3 min/game
G Johnny Stephene, so. (6-2, 200) – 3.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 43.4 FG%, 30.3 3PT% (10 made threes), 66.0 FT% - 15.3 min/game
G Bill Weaver, so. (6-4, 200) – 1.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 47.1 FG%, 0 made threes, 38.5 FT% - 6.4 min/game
G James Spencer, jr. (6-1, 190) – 0.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 50.0 FG%, 44.4 3PT% (4 made threes), 40.0 FT% - 11.5 min/game
C Carter McMasters, fr. (6-11, 210) – 1.6 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 23.1 FG%, 25.0 3PT% (2 made threes), 0 made FTs – 9.0 min/game – Played in 5 games
Players that are Gone:
G Seth Curry (6-3, 180) – 20.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg, 41.7 FG%, 34.7 3PT% (102 made threes), 83.2 FT% - 36.5 min/game
G Anthony Smith (6-5, 220) – 17.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 49.8 FG%, 37.1 3PT% (75 made threes), 65.8 FT% - 36.3 min/game
F Brolin Floyd (6-6, 212) – 6.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 46.8 FG%, 26.3 3PT% (10 made threes), 60.6 FT% - 23.6 min/game
F Austin Smith (6-9, 220) – 2.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 59.6 FG%, 0 made threes, 59.3 FT% - 8.3 min/game
G Chris Summers (6-4, 190) – 1.7 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 62.5 FG%, 50.0 3PT% (1 made three), 50.0 FT% - 4.0 min/game – Played in 7 games
Newcomers:
F Taylor Jensen, jr. (6-9, 205) – Walk-on transfer from Clearwater Christian
G David Minaya, so. (6-6, 205) – Transfer from Tennessee Tech – 07-08 stats: 3.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 30.8 FG%, 30.0 3PT% (24 made threes), 81.3 FT% - 14.0 min/game
C Joel Vander Pol, fr. (6-10, 220)
F Patrick Konan, fr. (6-5, 205)
F Antwan Burrus, fr. (6-6, 210)
G Evan Gordon, fr. (6-2, 185)
G Chris Perez, fr. (6-4, 197)
About the Flames:
To say that Liberty had an eventful offseason is an understatement. First, the Flames lost Seth Curry, the reigning Big South Freshman of the Year, as he decided to transfer to Duke. Soon after that, head coach Ritchie McKay resigns from his post at LU in order to take an assistant coaching position at Virginia. Point guard Jesse Sanders also considered transferring as well, but luckily for the Flames, new coach Dale Layer was able to convince him to stick around, which gives an otherwise volatile situation a little bit of stability. It is difficult to get a good read on what to expect from LU this season, though there are a few positives going for Layer’s program going into this new era of Liberty basketball.
The most obvious positive note is that Sanders decided to stay put in Lynchburg. As a freshman, Sanders showed a maturity at the point guard spot that you rarely see in a player so young. He was very effective at spreading the ball around and running the offense. Expect to see a bit more assertiveness by Sanders when it comes to shooting the basketball this season, and if he is able to be a weapon with his jump shot, that will be a huge weapon for the Flames. Another positive for the program is that senior Kyle Ohman brings his accurate outside shot to the court for one more season. Ohman has taken huge steps since his arrival as a walk-on three seasons ago, and now is huge scoring threat in the Big South and a solid rebounder for a shooting guard/small forward. While Sanders and Ohman will be the stars for this team, they will have a large cast of returning players and new faces to help them out in the backcourt. After missing all of last season with an injury, sophomore Jeremy Anderson brings his three-point shooting attack back to the court. Sophomore Johnny Stephene also returns, and he will compliment the outside shooting of Ohman and Anderson with a game that relies more on slashing to the basket. Expect three guards on the floor many times for LU, so newcomers David Minaya, Evan Gordon, and Chris Perez to see plenty of time on the court as well. Minaya is a transfer from Tennessee Tech and has the potential to be one of the key weapons for the Flames this year.
One of the biggest differences between Layer and McKay is that while McKay was comfortable playing 4 or 5 guards at time, Layer is known for being a coach that enjoys working with the big guys, so expect to see a lot more emphasis on post play and interior defense than under the old regime. That being said, two of the ‘big guys’ that will get a lot of the frontcourt minutes are just as likely to shoot the ball from the perimeter as they are to score from the paint. Senior Tyler Baker and freshman Carter McMasters can be match-up nightmares due to their height and ability to stretch defenses. Baker has had an injury plagued career, but has shown flashes of what he can do when given an open look from outside. McMasters played a few games last season before an injury sidelined him and forced him to take a redshirt year. McMasters will be asked to shoulder a bit more of the load inside than what is expected of Baker, but he can also be a weapon from outside. A trio of freshmen will also help the Flames up front. Center Joel Vander Pol is perhaps the most intriguing newcomer, primarily because he is the only true post player on the roster and Layer may lean on him early if he proves he is prepared to handle college competition. Forwards Patrick Konan and Antwan Burrus are a pair of athletic wings that have bigger builds than most college newcomers, so when Layer is looking to have a bigger, athletic, or more physical line-up on the floor, expect to see Konan and/or Burrus out there.
I honestly will not be surprised if Liberty finishes anywhere from about third place all the way to seventh. So I have decided to put the Flames right in the middle of the pack. Mixing all of the newcomers along with only a few key returnees will ensure that there will be growing pains for this program, especially with a new head coach. And there is also no doubt that losing the scoring ability of Curry and Anthony Smith will hurt the Flames at time. However, Liberty was often one dimensional on offense last season (heavily reliant on the three-point shot) and often lacking on the defensive end. With Layer at the helm, expect a bit more balance on offense (though the Flames will still shoot plenty of three pointers due to the make-up of the roster) and more emphasis on defense. The changes in style could help offset some of the personnel losses, and with solid point guard play from Sanders, do not expect a big drop off for Liberty.
My Prediction:
18-13 overall, 11-7 in conference – 5th place finish – lose in first round of Big South Tournament
--Fumble (1961-2009), RIP
- By LUGrad2000
- By ballah09