[jcmanson]

Roster:

• Jesse Sanders
  Kyle Ohman
  David Minaya
  Tyler Baker
  Austin Smith
  Jeremy Anderson
  Carter McMasters
  Bill Weaver
  James Spencer

We've signed Joel Vander Pol, Patrick Konan, and Chris Perez.

[Cider Jim]

I don't see why Liberty wouldn't be preseason #1 in the fall.

[Blessed1]

My Depth Chart prediction:

PF
Austin Smith - So.
Tyler Baker - Sr.
Bill Weaver - So.

SF
Kyle Ohman - Sr.
David Minaya - So.
Tre Lee - Fr.

C
Carter McMasters - RFr.
Brolin Floyd - So.
Joel Vander Pol - Fr.

SG
Seth Curry - So.
Jeremy Anderson - So.

PG
Jesse Sanders - So.
James Spencer - Jr. (WO)
Johnny Stephene - So.

I really like our roster for next year. I am not going to predict a Big South Championship next year, but I think we will be in the thick of things. There were games like ODU where we didn't have the size, but hopefully guys McMasters, Smith, and Vander Pol can provide some needed production. If Baker comes back and stays healthy, he will help help us in both rebounding and 3 point shooting at the 4. The depth is there now with the bigs.

Our guard situation is simple...a healthy Sanders and a scoring Curry = LU's success. Personally, I would like a back-up PG to Sanders that can both dish and score. There were too many times where Spencer passed up on shots or Stephene was out of control in his dribbling. Both are decent back-ups. However, it was obvious that once Sanders was out, we were done. Having Anderson back is huge because he will help from 3 point land. Teams were hip to stopping Curry on screens so a guy like Anderson can help ease the burden on Curry. I really want to see what guys like Tre Lee and Minaya can do. I think Lee was highly touted and Minaya was at one point in time a Freshman starter at his old school.

[Ed Dantes]

Radford will probably be preseason #1, they return two from the BS 1st team all conf squad.

I think the big question for us will be how the new guys fit in. I assume McMasters will start, will Vander Pol be a backup? Will be be at the PF position? He'd probably be a better option than Smith (as would Tyler Baker, but his injury history means we can't rely on him). Could we slide Minaya in there?

[Schfourteenteen]

Radford will probably be preseason #1, they return two from the BS 1st team all conf squad.

I think the big question for us will be how the new guys fit in. I assume McMasters will start, will Vander Pol be a backup? Will be be at the PF position? He'd probably be a better option than Smith (as would Tyler Baker, but his injury history means we can't rely on him). Could we slide Minaya in there?

I dont see CMCM starting off the bat. Assuming the Fr. dont start Im guessing youd see Minaya/Ohman at the 3, then Ohman/Smith at the 4 and Smith/Baker/Brolin at the 5.

[SuperJon]

Starters:

Jesse
Seth
David
Kyle
Tyler (if stays healthy)

Jeremy will be the first guy off the bench to give a spark and be that energy guy. He is a great sixth man.

Austin and Carter will both play time down low. I don't think Tyler will ever be a 30-35 minute type guy. 25 minutes or so with 10 points/5 rebounds is a great game from him. If Austin and Carter can take the other 15 minutes and be productive we'll be in great shape.

Brolin has to learn how to be effective on the offensive end or improve drastically on defense or his minutes will keep shrinking.

I'm not putting any expectations on the freshmen til they get here.

I think those eight will be our main eight rotation. Yes, Johnny and James will play but I think it'll be sparingly. If Jeremy is in the game, Seth can play point guard and still have three guys that can and will take shots (Kyle, David, and Jeremy). He didn't have that this year.

[prototype]

Get ready for backlash in 5...4...3...2...

Rumors are that Baker will not be back...I think this is a BIG mistake!!! If we need to make room we should let Carter transfer. IMO - he is not a good fit for us and Tyler is better. He is also a senior that will come in real handy next year. I know it's tough, but this is big time basketball and tough decisions need to be made. Carter seemed to be a great recruit, but after seeing him play - I don't think he is built for this level. You guys all have him playing Center? He is not a center and would rather shoot 3's - he will get pushed around he looked awkward playing down there this year - can you say Russell without the muscle? Hey that's his new nickname - "Russell without the Muscle" or as I like to say "RWOTM".

Let the bashing begin... (Remember this is my opinion - I will support him if he plays good or bad, but this is my gut talking. i will respect any decision Coach McKay makes, because he sees him every day).

on another note - I'm not a huge Anderson fan either, but I guess if he can hit an open jumper against VMI - then I would love to have him.

[SuperJon]

Jeremy is our smartest player. He is a great spot up shooter, a great energy guy, and can play good defense.

As for guys that may not be back, I'd rather not speculate but it wouldn't surprise me if someone left although I don't know if it'll be basketball related or not.

[prototype]

Jeremy is our smartest player. He is a great spot up shooter, a great energy guy, and can play good defense.

As for guys that may not be back, I'd rather not speculate but it wouldn't surprise me if someone left although I don't know if it'll be basketball related or not.

I could end up loving Anderson - I like his abilities. I just saw a one dimensional player last year.

[UNCA Alum]

Why did McMasters not play this year?

And are yall nearing the 13 scholarship limit?

[SuperJon]

Why did McMasters not play this year?

And are yall nearing the 13 scholarship limit?

Hurt his leg early in the season. They decided to give him a medical for the year because of it.

[prototype]

Why did McMasters not play this year?

And are yall nearing the 13 scholarship limit?

And he was having a real issue keeping weight off - boy was out of shape and overweight!! Was nearly 150 pounds coming in to the season!!

[Cider Jim]

McMasters will light it up next year, unlike one or two of our starters who were afraid to shoot this year.
Some people are afraid to shoot; Carter's afraid not to! (he's like a 6'11" white version of SCAR).

[Hold My Own]

McMasters will light it up next year, unlike one or two of our starters who were afraid to shoot this year.
Some people are afraid to shoot; Carter's afraid not to! (he's like a 6'11" white version of SCAR).

Hmm...was there sarcasm in that post?

[olldflame]

In looking at scholarships for next year, keep in mind that "leaving" and not having your scholarship renewed are 2 seperate issues. A coach can say to a player "we would love to have you on the team next year, we just don't have a scholarship for you", and then it is up to the player to decide what they want to do.

Strictly hypothetically speaking of course, it is possible that a player currently on a basketball scholarship could return and play without one, thus freeing up the schollie to be offered to someone else.

[Schfourteenteen]

What is the status on the one we lost to Academics?

[olldflame]

Jeremy is our smartest player. He is a great spot up shooter, a great energy guy, and can play good defense.

As for guys that may not be back, I'd rather not speculate but it wouldn't surprise me if someone left although I don't know if it'll be basketball related or not.

I could end up loving Anderson - I like his abilities. I just saw a one dimensional player last year.

I don't necessarily agree that Jeremy is one dimensional, but it doesn't matter. The one dimension we know he does posess (being as close as you can get to a sure thing on an open shot) is enough to make a big contribution next year.

[TDDance234]

In looking at scholarships for next year, keep in mind that "leaving" and not having your scholarship renewed are 2 seperate issues. A coach can say to a player "we would love to have you on the team next year, we just don't have a scholarship for you", and then it is up to the player to decide what they want to do.

Strictly hypothetically speaking of course, it is possible that a player currently on a basketball scholarship could return and play without one, thus freeing up the schollie to be offered to someone else.

Can you just take a scholarship away? I thought it had to be a mutual release unless there was a cause (ie: grades, team rules, etc...)?

[Ed Dantes]

Are schollies renewed every year? Does every player get a schollie on a year-to-year basis? Or do we sign players are we're committed to them for four years (or at our choice)?

Also, I know with some sports (baseball) not everyone gets a full schollie, some get 1/4, some get half, etc. Usually the school makes up the difference through a stipend or an academic scholarship. Does it work that way in basketball?

[UNCA Alum]

Couple of answers.....

Scholarships are renewed on an annual basis. Players usually sign the scholarship for next year in April. If they decide to go elsewhere or if the school decides not to offer them a scholarship for the next season... they obviously will not sign one.

However, most of the time schools decide to not extend a scholarship for the next year due to off the court issues: whether it be grades, drugs, arrests, whatever. Coaches typically don't say, "Well you aren't developing on the court as much as we would've liked so... no scholarship for you next year!!" In my opinion, it looks very bad for a program to run off players due to not having an available scholarship. You know you have 13. Don't promise more than that.


At the D1 level, basketball players cannot sign partial scholarships. They have full rides and full rides only.

[Sly Fox]

Olldflame and UNCA Alum are both dead on.

[LUconn]

We lose preseason POY and first team all conference member Anthony Smith.

I think we can stop referring to him as preseason POY. It's kind of silly since he didn't actually win the award.

[dompennix]

I can't wait for the return of Jeremy, hes a good hard working player

[paradox]

Getting a healthy Jeremy Anderson back will be a big help.

There's an intial buzz regarding Van Der Pol. We'll see how that plays out. Seems like a good fit.



Seth will still be only 18 yrs old until August of '09. He should be even bigger and better next year. As long as we have Seth & Jesse in the backcourt , this team will be succesful. The best is yet to come.


And I say all of this in all sincerity and with no disrepect toward my "glass-half-empty" friend, LUConn

[Sly Fox]

We've signed Joel Vander Pol. We have a verbal commit from Tre Lee, and there are rumors of his HS teammate coming this way as well (Ovie Soko).

This is far from settled and I hope to be able to give firm news soon on several points.

Of course there's always the possibility we could lose someone(s) due to transfer.

We won't know much on this regard likely until summer. But there is a very real possibility that someone on your initial list might not be back next season. But nothing has been decided at this point to my knowledge.