[olldflame]

We are finally getting a feel for what most of the roster's will look like for 2016-17. I'm sure there will be a late signee/transfer or two. At the end of the season and with Coastal leaving the BSC, I felt next season was going to be UNCA, Winthrop and hopefully Liberty at the top of the conference.

Asheville took 3 serious hits to their chances with graduation and the transfers of the two freshmen Sutton/Smith. They were the defending conf tourney champs but that has to be in jeopardy at this stage. However, it looks like they are bringing in a big group of guys including talented scoring guard MaCio Teague. Here is an article breaking down their signees for next season. http://www.uncabulldogs.com/ViewArticle ... =210934290

Winthrop loses Jimmy Gavin but return the majority of their key contributors with 5-7 Keon Johnson, 6-8 Xavier Cooks and 6-8 powerhouse Okeke inside to go with experienced depth. If I had to guess, they will be the preseason #1 squad next year.

High Point suffers big losses to graduation. Their top 3 scorers with be gone in BSC POY John Brown, Weary and Cuigini. The cupboard isn't bare but you have to expect a little bit of a drop off for the Panthers.

Liberty lost only one senior to graduation in Anthony Fields but lost Evan Maxwell who transferred. The recruiting class so far seems to be the top of the conference but the team will still be young with no seniors on the roster.

I'm sure there will be a surprise team popping up but it really feels like we should be in the hunt for the conference title this upcoming season. What do you guys think? Are we ready to compete with a team like Winthrop for a trip to the NCAA ? Are we still a year away? No doubt Liberty will not be picked last in the preseason rankings this year. Love that the expectation level has changed so quickly. Can't wait for November!

Just based on last year, I see no reason to fear Winthrop. They will be good, but we split with them and pretty much blew them out at home. I think we definately upgraded our talent more, and we have a couple of new players who should match up better with Cooks, who gave us fits. The one team who really outclassed us was UNCA. Their transfer losses work in our favor, but I think part of our problem was their defensive system, and they will no doubt be doing the same things, but perhaps with not quite as many athletes. McKay has to do a better job of preparing our guys for what they do. With CCU gone and HP surely rebuilding, I think those 2 teams will be our toughest competition. Yes, CSU swept us (thanks to a coaching gaff), but they also got us twice early, before we hit our stride. With Murray gone, I'm afraid Presby will struggle and Radford lost a boatload of Seniors. Longwood and Campbell? Meh.

[FlameFan11]

Looks like the 2016-17 roster has been posted on the Liberty website including the incoming freshmen. I'm sure height/weight and possibly jersey #s will be adjusted once everyone arrives on campus. No information on any games scheduled for next season.

The roster has 15 players listed. One addition to the roster that I don't think anyone had mentioned is 5-9, 160 lb guard Zach Farquhar out of Cincinnati, OH. Here is the link to the roster.

http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm ... 1&TeamID=6

[olldflame]

Hayden Koval's name does not appear, and he is playing AAU basketball. Looks like he is re-classifying to 2017.

[olldflame]

Zach is the son of former Flame Stevie Farquhar. He was actually with the program last year, practicing with the scout team, but was not on the roster

[Sly Fox]

Seeing the last name the first thing that popped into my head was that he had to be related to Steve.

[FlameFan11]

Interesting move to bring up a scout team guy from last year. I didn't see it coming but congrats to Zach.

Interesting that Hayden is now playing for a 2017 scholarship. The signing of Newton had to be a big blow to his long term playing time possibilities. We knew that the 2017 scholarship situation was going to require some roster changes and I'm guessing this is just one of many we should expect over the next year.

Can't blame Hayden at all. If he doesn't get the opportunity he wants maybe he will still end up in a Flame uniform as a walk-on. Best of luck to him and his family throughout the process.

[olldflame]

Zach is basically taking Hoffman's walk-on spot. Calvin had a scholarship last year, but that was because we had several available after Ritchie cleaned house. I'm sure Koval knew we were recruiting Newton, but having a commitment may have played a factor in his reassessing his situation. It looks like a smart move to me, but I have a feeling he will be getting more scholarship offers, which will make it less and less likely he would accept a walk-on role.

[A Sea of Red]

MBB Preview: Predicting the Starting Lineup and Rotation

http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/mbb- ... -rotation/

[TDDance234]

I think the biggest battle comes down to Kermrite and Cabbil.

I can't imagine Brock Gardner not getting the nod at the 3. Ideally, I'd like to see Dawson-Kemrite-Gardner-Homesley-Ezra with Cabbil and Reid probably getting 25 minutes a game off the bench.

[Chippy]

Cabbill will be the point guard with Barmore his backup. Dawson is better suited at the 2 - he is a shooting guard for sure. Homesly and Gardner can rotate between both the 3 and 4 - both cab take their man off the dribble , hit the outside jumper and rebound well. Kemrite and Reid are better suited to play the 3. It's possible that Barmore and Cabbill can be on the floor at the same time to give Dawson a breather. Talberts at the 4-5 with Baxter-Bell subbing at the 4 as well. My initial thoughts not having seen all the newcomers play yet.

[FlameFan11]

Chippy you are probably right but I like the idea of the lineup TD mentions, especially late in games. I think Josiah will overtake Ezra but either way a Talbert in there. Dawson-Kemrite-Gardner-Homesley-Talbert gives lots of length, size for the defensive end and scoring punch on the offensive end. Biggest concern with this lineup is ball containment against a team with quick guards but otherwise really like it. Dawson is a 2 and will play that the majority of the time but late it games I could see him or even Gardner bringing the ball up with a lineup like this.

It has been mentioned before, positions have really gone out the window in today's motion offenses and getting the best 5 guys on the court is the priority. Definitely going to be some battles for PT. Barmore is the x-factor for me. Gardner and JTalbert played club against top competition on a consistent basis so to me have proven themselves more. Barmore put up unbelievable #s. His play making and dribble penetration could really add to this team if he can do it against better defenders.

Basketball camps start this Saturday with Elite Camp for HS guys and then weeks worth of camps so our players will be on campus for the next couple months. We need to get some eyes in the gym during pickup to tell us how things are looking and how the newcomers are fitting in.

[Chippy]

Chippy you are probably right but I like the idea of the lineup TD mentions, especially late in games. I think Josiah will overtake Ezra but either way a Talbert in there. Dawson-Kemrite-Gardner-Homesley-Talbert gives lots of length, size for the defensive end and scoring punch on the offensive end. Biggest concern with this lineup is ball containment against a team with quick guards but otherwise really like it. Dawson is a 2 and will play that the majority of the time but late it games I could see him or even Gardner bringing the ball up with a lineup like this.

It has been mentioned before, positions have really gone out the window in today's motion offenses and getting the best 5 guys on the court is the priority. Definitely going to be some battles for PT. Barmore is the x-factor for me. Gardner and JTalbert played club against top competition on a consistent basis so to me have proven themselves more. Barmore put up unbelievable #s. His play making and dribble penetration could really add to this team if he can do it against better defenders.

Basketball camps start this Saturday with Elite Camp for HS guys and then weeks worth of camps so our players will be on campus for the next couple months. We need to get some eyes in the gym during pickup to tell us how things are looking and how the newcomers are fitting in.

I can see both of your points, however, Cabbill gives us better ball security, defense (look at his length, steals and blocked shots) and was the 3rd leading scorer on the team and a high percentage free throw shooter which is needed at the end of the game. I would suggest he is one of "our best five". Dawson has a propensity to turn the ball over and would not be a reliable point IMHO.

[flamehunter]

Chippy, I agree 100% about Cabbill. What he did last year as a freshman I think was pretty incredible. He seemed very mature and was able to ice games at the line several times. I think he will be one of our leaders for the next 3 years.

[TDDance234]

I don't agree with Dawson off-the-ball. He's no Jesse Sanders at PG but we were a much, much better ball handling team with him as the lead guard. Somebody is going to have to make room for Gardner, IMO, who seems like a lock to start, and it's either Kemrite or Cabbil. I don't think we can sit Kemrite's offense at the start of games - especially with no inside presence.

[olldflame]

Based on this tweet from Pacheco, it looks like the team is now on campus.

I'm a little bummed that Koval decided to reclassify, especially with Maxwell gone, but even so, I see a nice bump in talent, and for sure in depth. Based primarily on their defense, I see Cabbil and Dawson as the starting guards, and there should be really spirited competition for backup minutes between Barmore, Pacheco and Chen. Gardner and Homesley should start at the forwards, with really solid depth from Kemrite and Reid. With no "specialist" on board as a post player this year, IMHO the most interesting competition of all will be between the Talberts and Baxter-Bell for the 5th starter. Unlike Maxwell, all of them can step out and shoot the 3 and should be better overall in our defensive scheme. I'm hearing some rumors that Myo may be the sleeper there. He brings surprising agility and hops at 255, and has perimeter skills as well. If none of them win the job, Reid or Kemrite could start and Gardner play a bigger role inside, but hopefully it won't come to that.

Biggest difference IMHO? On offense, more players not named Dawson with the ability to create with the ball, both to get their shot and to dish. Barmore has crazy handles and surprising athleticism. Gardner is going to be a real matchup problem for almost anyone, and I believe we will see progress from Homesly and Cabill in that area as well. Keep in mind Caleb was coming off an ACL last year. I don't believe we have seen his best yet. On defense, I think we have added players with the combination of size and athleticism to match up better with some opponents that gave us fits last year.

[FlameFan11]

I'm right with you oldflame. Very excited about this group for many of the reasons you listed. I think Baxter-Bell and Josiah will see the bulk of the minutes when we play a "5", especially late in the year.

I haven't had a chance to drop in to see the guys playing so far. With everyone on campus, I would love to get a look at the new guys. No doubt the competition for playing time will also help increase development for all of the guys.

Did I hear that we are going overseas this summer? Anyone have details on that? If so and the guys are playing competitive games, we might get an idea of early rotations for Coach McKay. Either way it would be nice for the guys to get some extra time together and develop that chemistry.

[SumItUp]

The team will be traveling to Costa Rica in August (7th-13th).

[olldflame]

The team will be traveling to Costa Rica in August (7th-13th).

Suffering for Jesus and Liberty Basketball. Poor guys.

Thanks for the specifics Sum. I knew they would be going somewhere because you are allowed a trip every other year and we didn't take one in 2015. Only financially strapped programs ever pass on the opportunity for extra practice and team bonding.

With Hansel transferring out, Pacheco arrives just in time for translation duties. In my limited experience in CR I encountered a lot more English speakers than here in the DR, but I'm sure there will be cases where a Spanish speaking teammate will come in handy.

[R i]

Based primarily on their defense, I see Cabbil and Dawson as the starting guards, and there should be really spirited competition for backup minutes between Barmore, Pacheco and Chen. Gardner and Homesley should start at the forwards, with really solid depth from Kemrite and Reid. With no "specialist" on board as a post player this year, IMHO the most interesting competition of all will be between the Talberts and Baxter-Bell for the 5th starter. Unlike Maxwell, all of them can step out and shoot the 3 and should be better overall in our defensive scheme. I'm hearing some rumors that Myo may be the sleeper there. He brings surprising agility and hops at 255, and has perimeter skills as well. If none of them win the job, Reid or Kemrite could start and Gardner play a bigger role inside, but hopefully it won't come to that.

This is spot on. I have a hunch that Myo will be the starter.

[FlameFan11]

Glad they get the trip to Costa Rica. Great bonding experience when you help others as a team, especially when you get to travel together.

Nice to see Seth Curry and some other alumni playing with our guys. Anybody get a chance to drop in and see some workouts/pick up ball? I'm sure Barrera is getting after them physically. Really like that guy.

[BJWilliams]

Sounds like Richie has no hard feelings for Seth's departure if he is coming back for pickup games with the current players.

[olldflame]

Sounds like Richie has no hard feelings for Seth's departure if he is coming back for pickup games with the current players.

He came to speak to the kids at basketball camp The pickup games were a side benefit, but pretty cool for our guys to get to run with an NBA player Ritchie seems to be making a real effort to maintain contact with former players I'm sure SCAR is happy to see it

[Jonathan Carone]

Jesse was at the camp too.

[flamehunter]

Jesse was at the camp too.

That is awesome. Jesse could really be a great ambassador for the school.

[Purple Haize]

Jesse was at the camp too.

That is awesome. Jesse could really be a great ambassador for the school.

He's he could. As could a lot of former players. Hopefully now that Richie appears to have things pointed in the right direction he can set some resources to re connect with them