[SuperJon]

Last Saturday, he was the last guy off the bench. This week, he's been the first. I think that's a credit to how well he's been practicing and how things may be starting to click for him. Yes, the fouling is a little of an issue but he's really been playing good the past two games (three if you count G-W but I didn't see that one).

Looking at him, he just looks like a tall white stiff. Then watching him run down the floor you can see the kid is athletic. He's got a mid-range jumper already. He's a lot faster than any big man I've seen in the league lately running down the floor. Honestly, that surprised me the most. Granted, it may be because he's only playing ten minutes a game and can afford to sprint every fast break, but I had no clue he was as fast as he was.

It's taken him a little longer than the rest of the freshmen, but it really looks like things are starting to come together for him and he's starting to get it. If so, we may have found us a big man.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Agree. He has been impressive lately. I think it's key that we continue to not rush or over play him. I can't wait to watch him develop!

[LUconn]

It's funny. I had no idea that he could move at all until I saw that video that somebody posted here. And then no less than a week later he's all over the place on the court.

[Sly Fox]

The key for Austin is to maintain is aggressive nature but focusing it. Coach McKay was gushing about him after Saturday's game. Frankly I still think he can be a beast on the boards once he harnesses his energy.

[TDDance234]

He's not lacking any confidence, that's for sure. In the Winthrop game, when coming in to the game, he immediately was looking for his shot. If we can have someone in the post that will make the defense sag even just a little, it's that much more room on the outside for our shooters.

[SuperJon]

Another thing, and this isn't basketball related at all, but he's just really easy to cheer for. He's one of those guys that's playing and always having fun. It's one of the things you see with Jesse too. You can tell they're out there working their butts off but you can tell they absolutely love it.

[sweetnahmah1]

He was so giddy last night after he scored 2 straight baskets. We were all going crazy, his teammates were slapping him upside the head, goin crazy. It was like he couldn't get that smile off his face. He knows he's a crowd favorite.

[TDDance234]

Jeff Riber, anyone?

[thepostman]

Jeff Riber was the man! haha, forgot all about him

I have been impressed with Austin...its good to see a guy like him you clearly loves playing basketball starting to come around...i hope it continues

[LUMU11]

The fouling is an issue, but IMO the last 2 games, he's had at least 2 maybe 3 calls that just didn't go his way, they were anticipation calls. That block last night was legit. Showed some spring and some timing. That's the thing we miss inside that we need, even when he was just able to challenge their guys he changed shots and they couldn't finish. That's something that Carter will bring to the table as well, he is actually known for his ability to blcok shots. But back to Austin.

You have got to love a big man that WANTS to run the floor and he does. Talk about getting cheap baskets, that's just wanting to play. You put some skills and athleticism on top of that you get what you got with Austin last night. Especially for us, bc he's fillin the lane Ant and Seth are hittin' the wings and Kyle is the trailman. Naturally, the defense is gonna want to spread to cover the wings bc of Ant and Seth and when Austin flashes thru he's gonna be open, then if they start sagging back to defend the layup we've got kick outs to wings via Jesse or even Austin after he catches a pass. It's just a nightmare for teams to try and defend especially in this conference where teams don't necessarily run up and down the floor consistently. He didn't finish some last night, but I love seeing a guy that step out and hit a 15 ft fallaway, then come right down, post you up, take a couple power dribbles and go up strong with a baby hook, talk about versatility. Last night, 12 minutes 8 points 3 boards, that's good work in 12 minutes. I'm a fan.

[dompennix]

Austin is the man. once he gets that fouling down a little bit he will be great, he is also a really cool guy off the court.

[Cider Jim]

Based on Coach McKay's radio show last night, Austin Smith is now one of his favorite players. He talked about how he would like to give Austin "starter's minutes" and how he and Tyler Baker could become a "two-headed monster" in the post come tournament time. Also, expect Austin to log lots of minutes in the Radford game against their big center. Coach even said it was his fault for not playing Austin more earlier in the season, and complimented him on his toughness and how hard he works in practices and now in games.

[Chris Lang]

Look for a piece on Austin in tomorrow's fishwrap.

[fan00]

Jeff Riber was the man! haha, forgot all about him

I have been impressed with Austin...its good to see a guy like him you clearly loves playing basketball starting to come around...i hope it continues

I have a vintage Jeff Riber fan club t-shirt. He was the greatest

[TDDance234]

I've never seen a crowd pop as much as they did when Riber entered the game...if he took a shot, you could hear a quick gasp/everyone holding their breath. He might have been the most popular bench player ever.

[BJWilliams]

How could you not get behind Jeff Riber...I mean he is the kind of guy you couldnt help but cheer for every time he got on the floor. I think he had a late 3 in the BSC championship game to pretty much put the cherry on top in 04.

[LUconn]

http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/sports/c ... ion/13468/

[Cider Jim]

Quotes from Lang's article:

“He’s practicing great,” McKay said. “Four of our top six are now freshmen, though it took him a little bit longer. The last two weeks in practice, you could see it coming. He’s been really, really good. And I’m really excited for the kid, because his talent is special.

“Now, once he gets used to the speed of the game and can stay a little bit out of foul trouble. … I think our team’s going to be a little more dangerous.”

With another matchup looming in two weeks with Radford and its imposing front line featuring 6-11 Artsiom Parakhouski and 6-8 Joey Lynch-Flohr, Smith and Baker’s continued development has been positive for Liberty.

“Coach had a lot of confidence in me, even when I didn’t have a lot of confidence in myself,” Smith said.

“It took me a while to get in the swing of things. … I’m just trying to become better every day.”

[dompennix]

http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/sports/c ... ion/13468/

Great article

[flames1971]

I'm sure that the more he plays, the better he will become