- November 12th, 2008, 9:04 pm
#208443
Liberty Flames (Last Season: 14-17; 7-7, 4th in Big South; Lost in Semifinals of Big South Tourney; RPI - 256)
Head Coach: Ritchie McKay (2nd season at LU)
Players that are Returning:
G Anthony Smith, Sr. (6’5”, 220 lbs) – 16.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 spg, 51.5 FG%, 41.0 3PT% (84 made threes), 61.7 FT%
G Kyle Ohman, Jr. (6’4”, 200 lbs) – 7.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 41.2 FG%, 41.2 3PT% (63 made threes), 82.8 FT%
G Jeremy Anderson, So. (6'4", 200 lbs) – 6.8 ppg, .6 rpg, 41.3 FG%, 39.3 3PT% (46 made threes), 70.0 FT%
F Tyler Baker, Jr. (6’9”, 215 lbs) – Played in 1 game, 3.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg
G James Spencer, So. (6’1”, 190 lbs) – Played in 16 games, .1 ppg, .4 rpg
Players that are Gone:
F Alex McLean (6’8”, 235 lbs) – 15.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 56.0 FG%, 20.0 3PT% (2 made threes), 70.5 FT%
G B.J. Jenkins (6’0”, 178 lbs) – 9.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 40.2 FG%, 31.1 3PT% (42 made threes), 80.3 FT%
G TeeJay Bannister (5'11", 176 lbs) – 8.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.0 spg, 39.8 FG%, 37.7 3PT% (20 made threes), 82.4 FT%
F Rell Porter (6’7”, 195 lbs) – 4.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 44.7 FG%, 36.8 3PT% (25 made threes), 55.0 FT%
C Russell Monroe (6’11”, 235 lbs) – 1.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 58.8 FG%, 60.0 FT%
G Tim Layer (6'5", 180 lbs) – Played in 16 games, 1.3 ppg, .4 rpg, 37.5 FG%
F Nathan Campbell (6'6", 205 lbs) – Played in 14 games, .9 ppg, .6 rpg
G Garen Lafser (6'1", 180 lbs) – Played in 13 games, .8 ppg, .5 rpg
G Justin Holland (6’0”, 175 lbs) - .3 ppg, .7 rpg
G Tracey Quarles (6'4", 185 lbs) – Played in 7 games, .7 ppg, .4 rpg
F Armon Jones (6’8”, 250 lbs) - Played in 8 games, .3 ppg, .6 rpg
New Players:
G Seth Curry, Fr. (6’3”, 180 lbs) – Charlotte Christian, Charlotte, NC
G Brolin Floyd, Fr. (6’6”, 212 lbs) – Shores Christian Academy, Ocala, FL
G Jesse Sanders, Fr. (6’3”, 200 lbs) – Homeschooled, Sugar Land, TX
F Austin Smith, Fr. (6’9”, 220 lbs) – Ironwood Ridge HS, Tucson, AZ
G Bill Weaver, Fr. (6’4”, 200 lbs) – Bethel HS, Hampton, VA
C Carter McMasters, Fr. (6’11”, 210 lbs) – Grace Academy, Chattanooga, TN
G Johnny Stephene, Fr. (6’2”, 200 lbs) – Redshirt Freshman, Boynton Beach HS, Boynton Beach, FL
G David Minaya, So. (6’6”, 205 lbs) – Transfer from Tennessee Tech - Will sit out 08-09 due to transfer rules
If there was ever any doubt that Ritchie McKay would mold the LU roster toward his style of play, then there definitely are not any doubts anymore, as only four scholarship players that played last season return this season, and a seven-man freshman class comes to Lynchburg to help McKay build the LU program. A vast roster makeover is generally not a reason for optimism, but the Flames have the benefit of having one of the best returning players in the Big South, a freshman class with a very high upside, and a league that has many rebuilding teams.
Any preview of Liberty must begin with Anthony Smith. The Big South’s preseason player of the year has shown steady improvement over the course of his career at Liberty, and now he enters his senior year as the leader for the Flames. Smith is an accurate three-point shooter, solid defender, and highlight-reel producer around the basket. His presence on the roster allows there to be a large amount of optimism around the LU program despite the youth and inexperience that fills in around him on the roster. The only other returnees to the lineup are Kyle Ohman, Jeremy Anderson, and Tyler Baker. Ohman is a strong outside shooter who is also able to take the ball to the basket at times. He will likely split a lot of time with Jeremy Anderson, who is almost purely a three-point specialist. However, Anderson will miss a few weeks early in the season due to injury. Baker brings height to the roster, but has proven to be more of a perimeter player than a low-post banger in his injury-plagued career with the Flames.
All of the returnees will play a large role on this year’s Liberty squad, but they will have to share the limelight with a batch of freshmen that are expected to contribute from Day One. The newcomer with the most hype and name recognition is Seth Curry, son of former NBA player Dell Curry and younger brother of last season’s NCAA Tournament media sensation, Stephen Curry from Davidson. Liberty’s Curry will play a style that is similar to his brother’s, and if he is even half the player that Stephen is, he should help the Flames right away. However, Curry may not even be Liberty’s best candidate for Freshman of the Year. Brolin Floyd brings a big 6-6 frame to the court and can play a variety of positions, which should maximize his playing time and could lead him to getting just as many headlines as Curry. Jesse Sanders and redshirt Johnny Stephene will each get a chance to run the point for the Flames, with Sanders being the favorite to take the role as the primary ball-handler for the Flames in the long-term. Up front, Austin Smith brings a physical brand of basketball to the lane, which will help make up for the loss of Alex McLean from the roster. Carter McMasters is the tallest player on the roster, but like Baker, he is probably more comfortable facing the basket and playing along the perimeter. Bill Weaver rounds out the cast of newcomers to the squad. Weaver is an athletic player on the wing, and will likely play a bigger role with Liberty once Smith graduates.
The Flames are an intriguing team, because so much of their production will come from newcomers. Normally that is a recipe for disaster, but McKay has seemed to bring in a group that can step in right away and make noise. Also, the presence of Anthony Smith on the roster in a league devoid of established stars should keep Liberty in the hunt once the conference schedule begins. The Flames do have some big questions, namely in the post and on the defensive end, so a conference championship may not be in the cards this season, but they should be an entertaining team to watch and a dangerous opponent for anyone looking to win the Big South title.
My Prediction:
17-14 overall, 10-8 in the Big South; Fourth place finish; Will lose in the first round of the Big South tournament
Head Coach: Ritchie McKay (2nd season at LU)
Players that are Returning:
G Anthony Smith, Sr. (6’5”, 220 lbs) – 16.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 spg, 51.5 FG%, 41.0 3PT% (84 made threes), 61.7 FT%
G Kyle Ohman, Jr. (6’4”, 200 lbs) – 7.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 41.2 FG%, 41.2 3PT% (63 made threes), 82.8 FT%
G Jeremy Anderson, So. (6'4", 200 lbs) – 6.8 ppg, .6 rpg, 41.3 FG%, 39.3 3PT% (46 made threes), 70.0 FT%
F Tyler Baker, Jr. (6’9”, 215 lbs) – Played in 1 game, 3.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg
G James Spencer, So. (6’1”, 190 lbs) – Played in 16 games, .1 ppg, .4 rpg
Players that are Gone:
F Alex McLean (6’8”, 235 lbs) – 15.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 56.0 FG%, 20.0 3PT% (2 made threes), 70.5 FT%
G B.J. Jenkins (6’0”, 178 lbs) – 9.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 40.2 FG%, 31.1 3PT% (42 made threes), 80.3 FT%
G TeeJay Bannister (5'11", 176 lbs) – 8.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.0 spg, 39.8 FG%, 37.7 3PT% (20 made threes), 82.4 FT%
F Rell Porter (6’7”, 195 lbs) – 4.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 44.7 FG%, 36.8 3PT% (25 made threes), 55.0 FT%
C Russell Monroe (6’11”, 235 lbs) – 1.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 58.8 FG%, 60.0 FT%
G Tim Layer (6'5", 180 lbs) – Played in 16 games, 1.3 ppg, .4 rpg, 37.5 FG%
F Nathan Campbell (6'6", 205 lbs) – Played in 14 games, .9 ppg, .6 rpg
G Garen Lafser (6'1", 180 lbs) – Played in 13 games, .8 ppg, .5 rpg
G Justin Holland (6’0”, 175 lbs) - .3 ppg, .7 rpg
G Tracey Quarles (6'4", 185 lbs) – Played in 7 games, .7 ppg, .4 rpg
F Armon Jones (6’8”, 250 lbs) - Played in 8 games, .3 ppg, .6 rpg
New Players:
G Seth Curry, Fr. (6’3”, 180 lbs) – Charlotte Christian, Charlotte, NC
G Brolin Floyd, Fr. (6’6”, 212 lbs) – Shores Christian Academy, Ocala, FL
G Jesse Sanders, Fr. (6’3”, 200 lbs) – Homeschooled, Sugar Land, TX
F Austin Smith, Fr. (6’9”, 220 lbs) – Ironwood Ridge HS, Tucson, AZ
G Bill Weaver, Fr. (6’4”, 200 lbs) – Bethel HS, Hampton, VA
C Carter McMasters, Fr. (6’11”, 210 lbs) – Grace Academy, Chattanooga, TN
G Johnny Stephene, Fr. (6’2”, 200 lbs) – Redshirt Freshman, Boynton Beach HS, Boynton Beach, FL
G David Minaya, So. (6’6”, 205 lbs) – Transfer from Tennessee Tech - Will sit out 08-09 due to transfer rules
If there was ever any doubt that Ritchie McKay would mold the LU roster toward his style of play, then there definitely are not any doubts anymore, as only four scholarship players that played last season return this season, and a seven-man freshman class comes to Lynchburg to help McKay build the LU program. A vast roster makeover is generally not a reason for optimism, but the Flames have the benefit of having one of the best returning players in the Big South, a freshman class with a very high upside, and a league that has many rebuilding teams.
Any preview of Liberty must begin with Anthony Smith. The Big South’s preseason player of the year has shown steady improvement over the course of his career at Liberty, and now he enters his senior year as the leader for the Flames. Smith is an accurate three-point shooter, solid defender, and highlight-reel producer around the basket. His presence on the roster allows there to be a large amount of optimism around the LU program despite the youth and inexperience that fills in around him on the roster. The only other returnees to the lineup are Kyle Ohman, Jeremy Anderson, and Tyler Baker. Ohman is a strong outside shooter who is also able to take the ball to the basket at times. He will likely split a lot of time with Jeremy Anderson, who is almost purely a three-point specialist. However, Anderson will miss a few weeks early in the season due to injury. Baker brings height to the roster, but has proven to be more of a perimeter player than a low-post banger in his injury-plagued career with the Flames.
All of the returnees will play a large role on this year’s Liberty squad, but they will have to share the limelight with a batch of freshmen that are expected to contribute from Day One. The newcomer with the most hype and name recognition is Seth Curry, son of former NBA player Dell Curry and younger brother of last season’s NCAA Tournament media sensation, Stephen Curry from Davidson. Liberty’s Curry will play a style that is similar to his brother’s, and if he is even half the player that Stephen is, he should help the Flames right away. However, Curry may not even be Liberty’s best candidate for Freshman of the Year. Brolin Floyd brings a big 6-6 frame to the court and can play a variety of positions, which should maximize his playing time and could lead him to getting just as many headlines as Curry. Jesse Sanders and redshirt Johnny Stephene will each get a chance to run the point for the Flames, with Sanders being the favorite to take the role as the primary ball-handler for the Flames in the long-term. Up front, Austin Smith brings a physical brand of basketball to the lane, which will help make up for the loss of Alex McLean from the roster. Carter McMasters is the tallest player on the roster, but like Baker, he is probably more comfortable facing the basket and playing along the perimeter. Bill Weaver rounds out the cast of newcomers to the squad. Weaver is an athletic player on the wing, and will likely play a bigger role with Liberty once Smith graduates.
The Flames are an intriguing team, because so much of their production will come from newcomers. Normally that is a recipe for disaster, but McKay has seemed to bring in a group that can step in right away and make noise. Also, the presence of Anthony Smith on the roster in a league devoid of established stars should keep Liberty in the hunt once the conference schedule begins. The Flames do have some big questions, namely in the post and on the defensive end, so a conference championship may not be in the cards this season, but they should be an entertaining team to watch and a dangerous opponent for anyone looking to win the Big South title.
My Prediction:
17-14 overall, 10-8 in the Big South; Fourth place finish; Will lose in the first round of the Big South tournament
--Fumble (1961-2009), RIP
- By LU Armchair coach