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Liberty Flames (Last Season: 7-23; 3-13, 8th in Big South; Lost in First Round of Big South Tourney; RPI - 316)

Head Coach: Randy Dunton (sixth season at LU)

Players that are Returning:

G Larry Blair, Sr. (6’0”, 185 lbs) – 22.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.0 spg, 79.9 FT%
G Anthony Smith, So. (6’4”, 185 lbs) – 9.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg
F Damien Hubbard, Sr. (6’6”, 210 lbs) – 8.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.9 apg
F Rell Porter, Jr. (6’7”, 195 lbs) – 5.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 45.1 FG%
C Russell Monroe, Jr. (6’11”, 235 lbs) – 3.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 52.2 FG%
G Justin Holland, So. (6’0”, 175 lbs) - .7 ppg, .3 rpg
G Dominique Jones, So. (6’2”, 215 lbs) – 0.0 ppg, .6 rpg

Players that are Gone:

G Evan Risher – 5.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
F Doug Stewart – 4.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg
F Eric Bigby – 3.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 51.4 FG%
F Jeremy Eck – 1.1 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Lamarr Shorts – Played in 12 games, .4 ppg, .5 rpg
Andrew Denton – Played in 5 games, .4 ppg, .2 rpg
Levon Alston – Played in 6 games, 0.0 ppg, 0.3 rpg
Tracey Quarles – Played in 1 game, 2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg

New Players:

G Dwight Brewington (6’5”, 190 lbs) – Transfer from Providence – 13.1 ppg in 2004-2005
F Alex McLean, Jr. (6’8”, 235 lbs) – JuCo Transfer
F Tyler Baker, Fr. (6’9”, 215 lbs) – Redshirt Freshman
G B.J. Jenkins, Fr. (6’0”, 178 lbs)
F Armon Jones, Fr. (6’8”, 250 lbs)
F Lamont Winters, Fr. (6’7”, 260 lbs)
G Larry Franklin, Jr. (6’1”, 190 lbs) – JuCo Transfer
G Kyle Ohman, Fr. (6’4”, 200 lbs)
G Moe Barry, So. (6’2”, 185 lbs)

Liberty fans, coaches, and players are hoping to erase the memory of a nightmare season last year. The Flames never seemed to find a rhythm last season, and usually stood around and watched Larry Blair try and carry the whole team on his back. This season, Blair should have a little more help as his surrounding cast will feature a dynamic transfer in Dwight Brewington. But will the frontcourt be able to help out Blair and Brewington enough to give the Flames a shot at reaching the top of the standings?

Blair and Brewington (once Brewington becomes eligible in mid-December) will be a productive backcourt that should be fun to watch. Blair is a pure scorer, able to put the ball in the basket from nearly every spot on the floor. Brewington has proven that he can score as well from his days at Providence, and now he will play point guard, in hopes of proving that not only can he score, but he can also create. Anthony Smith will also be a key cog for the Flames’ backcourt and Justin Holland and B.J. Jenkins will see some action as well. Smith had a very solid freshman season last year and should be even better this year. Damien Hubbard and Rell Porter will anchor the forward spots. Hubbard is a versatile player who is back to his natural position and Porter is a defensive whiz who often does all of the dirty work and rebounding for the Flames. The frontcourt was a weak link to last year’s squad, and those two will get some help from JuCo transfer Alex McLean and redshirt freshman Tyler Baker. McLean is a big body that could be a force in the paint and Baker has the ability to step out and hit the three and score in the post if needed. Armon Jones, Russell Monroe, and Lamont Winters (once he returns from injury) will provide some depth and size, though none are expected to be major contributors.

Liberty should definitely improve from where they were last year. Randy Dunton’s squad has more depth and more talent this season. If everything clicks, this group has a chance to contend. However, the frontcourt needs to prove that it can be productive and Blair and Brewington need to prove that they can co-exist. The likely scenario sees this team having some great moments, but also having some inconsistency. Either way, if you enjoy good guard play, it will be well worth the price of admission to watch Blair and Brewington play.

My Prediction:

15-15 overall, 7-7 in the Big South; Fourth place finish; Will be eliminated in semifinals of Big South Tourney

[A.G.]

If that prediction holds,