[jcmanson]

I can almost bet you that the conversation Doc had with Karl in the suburban played a big role in his "swift" departure.

Can you elaborate on this? I'm sure most all of us have no idea what you're talking about.

[olldflame]

I apologize because some of the comments I made only make sense if you have heard Karl's HOF speach recently enough to remember it. He told a story about how he was planning to leave school after his sophomore year because of Skeeter Swift (the idiot rookie coach who didn't like Karl and cut his minutes). Doc came to his dorm room at night, took him for a ride in the suburban, and convinced him to stay. Dollars to donuts, somewhere in the course of that conversation Karl was assured he wouldn't have to worry about getting along with Skeeter Swift. Swift was fired at the end of his first season and replaced by Dale Gibson.

[4everfsu]

If I am not mistaken Dan Manley is a pastor of a church near Lynchburg.

[4everfsu]

If I am not mistaken Dan Manley is a pastor of a church near Lynchburg.

[BJWilliams]

Not when compared to other DI programs.

If we could clear some of the trees out in the ravine (and somebody ponied up the $$$ for it) we could put one across from Schilling next to Vines...

[olldflame]

If I am not mistaken Dan Manley is a pastor of a church near Lynchburg.

That sounds right to me. I know he went into the ministry (missions I believe) when he left coaching, and I know he has been back in town for at least a couple of years.

[Bigsouthking]

I have seen em all play (at least since 72)and I would say Peter Aluma hands down. The sad part is he could have been even better, but he was afforded royal treatment by the coaching staff and wasn't really developed to his full potential because of his status.

Totally agree!!! Aluma could dominate a game on BOTH ends of the floor! Was Tournament MVP twice and led LU to 3 BSC Championship games. Block shots!! And agree he could have been better!!! Only weakness was his rebounding at times. Alston, Hess, Blair just scorers.

Sad thing is Meyer couldn't handle another great player in Marcus White, Meyer wasnt tough enough. Meyer was a bad offensive minded coach with the talent he had.

Hard to compare players in different decades though, more D-1 teams now days = watered down competition.

But Aluma would dominate any era.

[jcmanson]

I apologize because some of the comments I made only make sense if you have heard Karl's HOF speach recently enough to remember it. He told a story about how he was planning to leave school after his sophomore year because of Skeeter Swift (the idiot rookie coach who didn't like Karl and cut his minutes). Doc came to his dorm room at night, took him for a ride in the suburban, and convinced him to stay. Dollars to donuts, somewhere in the course of that conversation Karl was assured he wouldn't have to worry about getting along with Skeeter Swift. Swift was fired at the end of his first season and replaced by Dale Gibson.

Thanks, I need to back and listen to that speech.

[Purple Haize]

Ed.
Gomes.
(At least that was what my wife says and I am certainly not going to argue with her about it!!)

I also wonder what else "changed hands" in Doc's Suburban?!?!/ Wonder what Karl was driving later?!?! J/K

[olldflame]

Ed.
Gomes.
(At least that was what my wife says and I am certainly not going to argue with her about it!!)

I also wonder what else "changed hands" in Doc's Suburban?!?!/ Wonder what Karl was driving later?!?! J/K

Ed Gomes may have been the most fun player to watch we ever had. I think he could have played for the trotters if he hadn't gone into the ministry. Problem is he did all of that fancy dribbling and passing in the games. It was great when it worked, but I'm pretty sure he also holds all of our single game and season records for turnovers. He was also lightning quick, and although he played in the no-dunk era, he got at least one T when he got cought dunking in warmups at 5'9".

I'm pretty sure all that was exchanged in Doc's SUV were assurances. Doc: "Skeeter is history" Karl: "I'll stay".

[SuperJon]

I know how much fun it was to work with Ed Gomes. I can only imagine how fun it would've been to watch him play.

[Rooster Cogburn]

FWIW - BAILEY ALSTON!

for now until Jesse Leads us to 2 straight BS tourney championships and an NCAA win.

[jcmanson]

bump

Can Jesse be included in the conversation?
#1 in assists
top 15 in scoring (at current pace will finished #14)
#4 in rebounding
all at the D1 level

[Hold My Own]

I heard Huggins call him a goat a few days ago...he used a lot of other words as well to help support that claim.

[Rooster Cogburn]

I definately put Jesse up there side by side with Karl now. It also helped me after hearing Jesse's interview on Saturday. He is a Liberty guy and one of the best all around players / leaders I've ever seen play. I never saw Karl play, but I'll take Jesse for this title. I also see Jesse going on to represent and support LU, which will be awesome.

[bballfan84]

bump

Can Jesse be included in the conversation?
#1 in assists
top 15 in scoring (at current pace will finished #14)
#4 in rebounding
all at the D1 level

In my mind thats a NO..yes the kid has records and is a good player however not even close to the GOAT..in my mind its Larry Blair

[Rooster Cogburn]

I have to put it like this.

Karl / Jesse - 1 and 1A
Bailey Alston
Larry

[Purple Haize]

I heard Huggins call him a goat a few days ago...he used a lot of other words as well to help support that claim.

I don't think Huggy's definition of goat was the same as this conversation!
And by goat I think he meant......

OT First Ayers blows a call with 6 on the floor and then KH with the GT miss. What the heck? I'm starting to subscribe to Bob Knoights theory that top officials are overworked.

[jcmanson]

bump

Can Jesse be included in the conversation?
#1 in assists
top 15 in scoring (at current pace will finished #14)
#4 in rebounding
all at the D1 level

In my mind thats a NO..yes the kid has records and is a good player however not even close to the GOAT..in my mind its Larry Blair

I love LB, but he's no better than #3 behind Hess and BA.

Not sure who I would rank higher - Jesse or LB? Completely different players. If Jesse had an LB for 4 years, think how much better his records would be.

[Rooster Cogburn]

How on earth did I forget Hildabrand? Wow, brain fart.

I have to put it like this.

Karl / Jesse - 1 and 1A
Bailey Alston
Hildo
Larry

[TIMSCAR20]

Well I will say this: Karl Hess was special and would have certainly been able to excel at the division 1 level. However I would say that Alston would have averaged 45-50 points at a lower level. His pure scoring ability is unrivivaled by any that ever put on a Liberty Jersey including Blair who was a volume shooter and not a high percentage shooter like Alston.

In terms of accolades and accomplishments and effect on the game Jesse belongs in the conversation.
In terms of all around ability, skill, etc, again no one comes close to Alston. It isn't CLOSE. For those who haven't seen him play, think of Gilbert Arenas in a Liberty Uniform. He was not the 3 point shooter that Arenas is but he certainly could do everything else IMHO.

Hess being 1st in scoring and assts though is so impressive that it is really really hard to ignore and probably indicates he was a decent athlete as well as being skilled. His post basketball accomplishments nor Jesse's testimony will factor in my assessment. I am talking strickly what was done between the lines. Hess is indeed an impressive individual outside of his playing days though. Jesse will be highly successful as well I think.

Hildo is in the conversation too.

[Rooster Cogburn]

If we take stats out, there is NO DOUBT that Alston is the best athlete I've ever seen in an LU BBall uniform. He could beat anyone to the basket at any time.

[TIMSCAR20]

If we take stats out, there is NO DOUBT that Alston is the best athlete I've ever seen in an LU BBall uniform. He could beat anyone to the basket at any time.

Except me in practice LOL. I used to lock him up at times. But then he would get mad and put one down right on my head! Plus I knew he was going right and still couldn't stop him. Coach Meyer told me when I was a soph that It was ashame that I had similar skills to BA because he had to play him 35 min a game. So I quickly learned how to play PG. Otherwise I would have never saw the floor as much as I did.

[Rooster Cogburn]

I'll bet you were better Left Handed than him too. He made the TP showers start more often though.

[TIMSCAR20]

Well I am ambidextrous. I know Jesse Sanders is too btw. He writes with his left hand. There are a lot of basketball players that write with one hand and shoot with another. Rodney Harden, my old teammate that passed away in 2010 used to write throw a ball with his right hand but shoot baskets left and could write with either hand.

Yeah BA started the TP shower on a few occasions. They outlawed that during our time at LU though once those fools at Syracuse started throwing Oranges and the St John's fans started throwing Apples! What a tradition though. It would be cool to bring that back to Liberty!