[LUnpretty11]

Jesse regressed. Sorry, but that's the truth. I saw no improvement in his north-south ball handling (he's still decent east-west), nor in his shooting. He looked scared and tentative to shoot the ball anywhere except when at the free throw line.

Welcome to the board WIC.

Must disagree big time here. Basically I would agree with you if you switched the negatives and positives that you said of him. He definitely improved with his shooting. Started off early in the season very hesitant to shoot or try and create his own shot, but as the season progressed, so did his shooting. Not to mention his ability to score on the drive, absolutely no hesitation there, and very elusive in the paint. He's a magician at times when it seems like there is no way the ball can go in, he some how wills it off the backboard to go in. His ball handling was solid all year; north, south, east, west whichever direction, he was solid. His free-throw shooting however, was definitely subpar. The SG's and PG's should be the best FT shooters on the team. 67.5 FT% is awful. Period. He was also 13/40 from behind the arch, whereas last year, he was 7/31.... definitely an improvement there. His FG% did decline by about 8% this year, but you also have to take into consideration that he had more attempts this year, because of the lack of scoring on our team. He led the team in rebounds (208) and assists (as he should - 152). O and steals with 42.
Call me crazy, but he DEFINITELY did not regress.

[Rocketfan]

It's clear though that if we want to improve quickly, we need to cut about half this roster (something Liberty in the past has balked at), and let Layer bring in his own kids with the extra schollys. Otherwise, we'll have to wait three or four years before Layer can really put HIS team on the floor.

I disagree with a lot of what you said, but this idea here wouldn't work, even if that was the answer. These kids not graduating would result in massive scholarship loss and probably banishment from the postseason for a while since we already have a problem with kids transferring and not graduating.

So you just assumed if they lose the basketball scholly they are aren't graduating....thats not a guarantee either.

[jcmanson]

Evan, Konan, and Burrus were completely Dale’s recruits.

I disagree about Jesse. He struggled at the beginning of the year, but that’s primarily due to not having Smitty and baby Judas to dish to. As Lefty said, the intangibles he brings to the team are irreplaceable. If you look at his stats he actually shot for a very solid percentage from 3 (I forget the exact percentage but it was in the 30’s). By the end of the season he was comfortable shooting.

Agreed with Carter. He still has three years to develop, and you can’t coach size. Let’s hope Dale can get him to being a solid 10/7/3 guy because he has more than the potential.

Jeremy is a role player. His role is being fundamentally sound and a terrific 3 pt shooter. That role is best used coming off the bench for about 10-15 mpg. Unfortunately, this year he was asked to be a starter and play 30 mpg.

Overall, I agree with your assessment that we need an upgrade in talent to compete for championships. Jesse, Evan, Jeremy, Chris, Burrus, and Konan are solid enough to be on this team and help it win championships. Add a star to JVP to this group plus JVP, JCS, and Baird, and we will be competing for the ‘ship.

[ALAFlamesFan]

I have no expectations for JVP. If we get anything out of him year 1 I will be happy. He wasn't as highly recruited as Carter so that may give us a starting point for expectations. I agree we need more roster turnover than just those graduating. I am looking for 2-3 folks above the seniors to "leave" this team and additional help brought in over the next two years.

[LUconn]

It's clear though that if we want to improve quickly, we need to cut about half this roster (something Liberty in the past has balked at), and let Layer bring in his own kids with the extra schollys. Otherwise, we'll have to wait three or four years before Layer can really put HIS team on the floor.

I disagree with a lot of what you said, but this idea here wouldn't work, even if that was the answer. These kids not graduating would result in massive scholarship loss and probably banishment from the postseason for a while since we already have a problem with kids transferring and not graduating.

So you just assumed if they lose the basketball scholly they are aren't graduating....thats not a guarantee either.

No, I'm assuming they'd transfer, which still counts against the APR. They would have to stay at LU AND graduate within the 5 or 6 year period they're allotted. Not too many division 1 basketball players are gonna do that when they're stripped of their scholarship. It's a pretty safe assumption.

[ToTheLeft]

I have no expectations for JVP. If we get anything out of him year 1 I will be happy. He wasn't as highly recruited as Carter so that may give us a starting point for expectations. I agree we need more roster turnover than just those graduating. I am looking for 2-3 folks above the seniors to "leave" this team and additional help brought in over the next two years.

Those who have watched JVP would tell you he's going to be solid for us. Recruiting profiles mean nothing at all once a guy hits the hardwood here.

[Th3rd]

I have no expectations for JVP. If we get anything out of him year 1 I will be happy. He wasn't as highly recruited as Carter so that may give us a starting point for expectations. I agree we need more roster turnover than just those graduating. I am looking for 2-3 folks above the seniors to "leave" this team and additional help brought in over the next two years.

Those who have watched JVP would tell you he's going to be solid for us. Recruiting profiles mean nothing at all once a guy hits the hardwood here.

i agree with Lefty.. the reason JVP is so highly looked upon is because a lot of us have seen him in practice and have heard people who have seen him in practice and know he is going to be a great player for us.

Also i completely disagree with everything besides what Lefty has said about JA... I realize im biased towards JA but still. He IS one of our best man defenders and has locked down some great athletes. He still was very much transitioning this year after the year off and hasn't really gotten his shot back... if he can get his shot back look for him to be vying for starters minutes this season and look for him to be one of our best players

[olldflame]

When you talk about the need for a "star", keep in mind that they do not always arrive fully developed as freshmen. Evan Gordon may not have qualified for that label this year, but he had a better Freshman year than Anthony Smith. I think most of us agree that by his Junior year Smitty was a star player and a game changer. We have at least 2 or 3 players now with enough upside to be first team all conference in the future.

[jcmanson]

i agree with Lefty.. the reason JVP is so highly looked upon is because a lot of us have seen him in practice and have heard people who have seen him in practice and know he is going to be a great player for us.

I think we heard the same thing last year about Minaya.

[TDDance234]

i agree with Lefty.. the reason JVP is so highly looked upon is because a lot of us have seen him in practice and have heard people who have seen him in practice and know he is going to be a great player for us.

I think we heard the same thing last year about Minaya.

Repeatedly. I think Minaya still has some value but let's not get the hype train in motion again. I think Austin Smith, year 1, is a pretty fair expectation for JVP.

[SuperJon]

i agree with Lefty.. the reason JVP is so highly looked upon is because a lot of us have seen him in practice and have heard people who have seen him in practice and know he is going to be a great player for us.

I think we heard the same thing last year about Minaya.

Minaya would've thrived under McKay because he fit into his system perfectly. It's taken him a while to be as physical and tough on defense as Layer wants him to be. He was starting to come around a little bit at the end of the season so hopefully that lasts through the off season.

[TDDance234]

Minaya may not have fit defensively but it sure didn't look like he fit in offensively either. He shot 16% from three and 33% from the field.

His numbers are almost indentical to his time at TNTC. Is it possible we just overhyped him a bit?