[bballfan84]

I attended the game with my daughter who is a graduate of VCU. Pleasantly surprised at the size of the crowd, the game was sold out. The first half of the game was difficult to watch with Liberty only scoring 16 points. However, the scond half was filled with several plays/baskets that were very impressive. It's those types of plays that make me optimistic that next year will be better.

All VCU Games are sold out regardless of opponent. They are a top 10 team in terms of atmosphere in the nation. If we hadn't moved to Atlanta this summer I certainly would have been in the house. I never missed a game when I was in town the past several years. This season's VCU team is not nearly the same defensively as they were under Shaka Smart the past 6 seasons but they are still really intense in their building.

Quite honestly I am really glad I wasn't there. It is hard not to be embarrassed by the level of basketball Liberty has been putting out on the court the past few seasons. I was hoping this would change sooner than it appears that it is going to. This season may end up being the worst on record in the 25 plus years of division 1 basketball. I know this is Ritchie's 1st season but I have to tell you guys that I expected it to be better than this. I'm not sure there is a division 1 team in America that this team can beat based on what we have seen so far. They can compete and play hard but over the course of 40 minutes the lack of ability to close comes to light.

Football and Basketball right now is not where any of us want them to be. Add to that the tremendous amount of resources being spent on both programs and it really just magnifies the whole situation. I am a Liberty guy and as black alum I want TG and RMK to succeed more than you guys can imagine. I hope it turns around soon.

I was at the game..it was almost embarrassing and i hate to tell people i played there right now...but this season was lost before it even began and everyone knows it. There are really probably only 4 to 5 division 1 players on this squad so I am not surprised at all by the results. The only thing that I couldnt understand from Ritchies standpoint is seeing Hiepler sp? get so many minutes...he brings absolutely nothing to the team. The guys i see worth bringing back next year are Talbert, Maxwell, Holmesley, and of course Dawson. Dawson is the real deal but when the defense only has to guard maybe one other guy its hard for Dawson to really get much done. Ritchie will have this program turned around in 2-3 years...but holy cow Layer did some real damage.

[BJWilliams]

My guess is he sees something in him that no one else does 84...

This isn't a time to throw the previous coach under the bus (or run him over again as it were). He isn't here anymore, that is history now not current events.

[flamehunter]

What about Cabill? Has had some pretty good games, maybe not lately, but he's only a freshman.

[Chippy]

What about Cabill? Has had some pretty good games, maybe not lately, but he's only a freshman.

Cabbil was overmatched by VCU's guards who had length, bulk and experience. He's a good player and may be a better SG than the PG. I think Heipler is in there due to his work ethic and he seldom makes mistakes on D or on O; the problem he is not an offensive threat whatsoever and given this team is offensively challenged one would wonder the rationale of him getting so many minutes. Then again with foul troubles for Reid, Dawson et al and a short bench, I guess I can answer my own question.

[PAFlame]

My guess is he sees something in him that no one else does 84...

This isn't a time to throw the previous coach under the bus (or run him over again as it were). He isn't here anymore, that is history now not current events.

Well, if Ritchie can't get it done in the next 3-4 years. I know which coach we are hiring

[BJWilliams]

We have to buy in as much as the players have and, as I have said more than a few times before, "trust the process". He is working with a bunch of kids who have never played Division I basketball before. Its not time to think about who our next coach will be 13-14 games into the season with a first year head coach (well first year returning head coach in this case).

[Purple Haize]

I think its safe to say we all do SCAR, but as bad as the record looks, we ALL have to trust that coach McKay knows what he is doing and "trust the process".
If he wanted to do a one year reclamation project on this team, we probably would not have had the amount of attrition that we had after he came in. He is building for the future at this point, and while the wins are not there right now, these guys are buying into what he is doing which helps team chemistry for next year and beyond.

Is anyone NOT trusting RMK at this point?

[FlameFan11]

All good points. I think reality has hit everyone in the face at just how bad it is. Coach McKay and staff know this better than any of us. He has 25+ years building successful Division 1 teams. They knew this roster was lacking which is why they took the approach of a total rebuild and eliminated distractions that could hurt the program long term. Even though these aren't his recruited players, I'm sure it is embarrassing for him as well.

Predicting 10 wins as some did early on was just excitement for change. Can't blame anyone who wanted that. If Layer were still here, Tomasz, Theo and a few others would be out there. We would be better this year and might have got to double digit wins. Maybe .500 if they severely overachieved. Still lacking and no where close to a conference title. Like SCAR said, with the investment into athletics the expectation is higher than ever, much more than another mediocre 10 win season.

Good thing is it seems that the current staff has the same vision, focused on the big picture. That is the reason you see a kid like Hiepler out there. He's not D1 level physically or skill wise but he plays the right way - defensive effort, hustle plays, takes care of the ball, runs the offense, etc..... all fundamentals that build the foundation for a winning team.

The hardest thing for alumni and fans is to be patient. Coach McKay has a long history of winning at schools where the cupboard was bare and they didn't have the institutional support that Liberty does for athletics. He hasn't forgotten how to coach or recruit. I'm choosing to focus on following the new recruits. They are the future and the guys Coach McKay wants to build around. Will try to surf around to get some updated info on those guys posted. Gives some hope that brighter days are ahead.

Tomorrow is going to be another tough one at ND. Flip on ESPNU and try to find the little in game victories like the 2nd half yesterday. Stay strong Flames Fans.

[Cider Jim]

Tomorrow is going to be another tough one at ND. Flip on ESPNU and try to find the little in game victories like the 2nd half yesterday. Stay strong Flames Fans.

5:00 tipoff on ESPNU. Go Flames!

[BJWilliams]

I think its safe to say we all do SCAR, but as bad as the record looks, we ALL have to trust that coach McKay knows what he is doing and "trust the process".
If he wanted to do a one year reclamation project on this team, we probably would not have had the amount of attrition that we had after he came in. He is building for the future at this point, and while the wins are not there right now, these guys are buying into what he is doing which helps team chemistry for next year and beyond.

Is anyone NOT trusting RMK at this point?

I'd say no...it's more people seem to be facing the reality of what is, but focusing on the reality of what was that left us here , instead if looking with hope on what could be.

[Purple Haize]

That made no sense

[thepostman]

People are being negative. It upsets him

Same ol' same 'ol

[Flamerz]

What about Cabill? Has had some pretty good games, maybe not lately, but he's only a freshman.

Cabbil was overmatched by VCU's guards who had length, bulk and experience. He's a good player and may be a better SG than the PG. I think Heipler is in there due to his work ethic and he seldom makes mistakes on D or on O; the problem he is not an offensive threat whatsoever and given this team is offensively challenged one would wonder the rationale of him getting so many minutes. Then again with foul troubles for Reid, Dawson et al and a short bench, I guess I can answer my own question.

Cabil is only a freshmen, he will be a pretty good player but will need some time to develop. Maxwell is a good player but needs to be around other players who can help get him quality touches.
Dawson is probably the only player on the team that can actually create a shot for himself off the dribble so when teams clamp down on him and Maxwell. We have 16 point halves and now that hes on the scouting report of every team were gonna play this year it wont be any easier for him. Unless Liberty has a couple unconscious 3 point shooting games this team may not win 3 more games this year....

we got a couple building blocks but boy this team is in shambles.

[BJWilliams]

That made no sense

Basically...it's not that they don't trust coach McKay, they are more focused on the fact that we are 3-11, and on laying blame on the previous coach than on seeing the potential that is there and needs development...which takes time

[Purple Haize]

That made no sense

Basically...it's not that they don't trust coach McKay, they are more focused on the fact that we are 3-11, and on laying blame on the previous coach than on seeing the potential that is there and needs development...which takes time

Are they wrong?

[BJWilliams]

Not really wrong per se...more misplaced I think. The previous coach yes left this program in shambles, but does it do any good to focus on that? This is not that coach's team...this is RMK's team so why not just leave it at that instead of reopening the same scab over and over instead of giving it a chance to heal?

[thepostman]

Same ol' same ol'...

If this board went by your rules BJ it wouldn't exist.

[ATrain]

Not really wrong per se...more misplaced I think. The previous coach yes left this program in shambles, but does it do any good to focus on that? This is not that coach's team...this is RMK's team so why not just leave it at that instead of reopening the same scab over and over instead of giving it a chance to heal?

B/c this isn't a scrape that scabs over, this is a compound fracture that needs to be set and reset if not healing properly and also requires open-reduction internal fixation. If we're a team of surgeons (translation: La-Z-Boy coaches) w/ McKay as the lead surgeon, we all need to understand what happened to the patient that caused the injury and how to fix it. This will take time and processing.

If we're going to say this is RMK's team and just leave it at that as you say we should, then perhaps we should be laying the blame on him for the poor performance. The objective facts are:
1. Our men's bball team SUCKS right now
2. We have a first year head coach who was left with nothing in the cupboard from a poor coach the past few seasons
3. It will get better
4. The only things to talk about in the present are the top 3 things above...otherwise we may as well not even talk about this season at all.

[PAmedic]

Same ol' same ol'...

If this board went by your rules BJ it wouldn't exist.

Exactly. Which is why many of us just read and don't bother posting anymore.

Beyond tired of this stupid tripe every time somebody wants to have an open discussion about the state of athletics.

Which is what the forum was about – keyword being "was"

since someone get his panties in a wad every time someone dares to criticize the school it's become not worth it

Not to mention the mindless sports clichés

[thepostman]

I enjoy the banter with bj but it does get old. He is harmless it's some of the others that grind on my nerves.

[Purple Haize]

Same ol' same ol'...

If this board went by your rules BJ it wouldn't exist.

Exactly. Which is why many of us just read and don't bother posting anymore.

Beyond tired of this stupid tripe every time somebody wants to have an open discussion about the state of athletics.

Which is what the forum was about – keyword being "was"

since someone get his panties in a wad every time someone dares to criticize the school it's become not worth it

Not to mention the mindless sports clichés

Hey kids. Get off my lawn !

I enjoy the banter with bj but it does get old. He is harmless it's some of the others that grind on my nerves.

What about me? I banter?

[thepostman]

Read and acknowledged

[Purple Haize]

Read and acknowledged

Let's play a word game. I'll give you a couple of words, you put them into a sentence or phrase:
Me
Bite

Now.....go!

[LUnpretty11]

Read and acknowledged

Let's play a word game. I'll give you a couple of words, you put them into a sentence or phrase:
Me
Bite

Now.....go!

Proper English would be "I bite" not "me bite".

[BJWilliams]

I believe our former coach friend is trying to insinuate a phrase that he won't say outright as this is a family site (at least that's my guess)