[mlschubert]

In the past 5 games David Minaya has had the highest per minute contribution (CPM) of any flame by more than 20%. His past 5 games are statistically better than the averages for Larry Blair in the 06 / 07 season, Peter Aluma 96/97 and Anthony Smith 08 /09 amongst others.

I created the contribution per minute stat because its easy to gravitate towards the top point scorers and rebounders, but it's easy to overlook equally important stats such as TO's, Assists, Steals, Fouls and FG%. CPM attempts to weight both positive and negative contributions based on each minute played.

Using CPM the top 5 Flames since 1996 (in order) are Peter Aluma, Larry Blair, Anthony Smith, Gabe Martin and Seth Curry.

A great streak? Perhaps. But I think David may just be emerging as a dominant player in the Big South.

[SuperJon]

He won't be considered elite or dominate until he does it at the end of games regularly. His deal lately has been scoring a bunch in the first half and not doing as much in the 2nd. His game vs UNCA was great but he's been a big first half player lately.

[From the class of 09]

I hope he keeps it going. It is amazing when you compare David today to when he first came to LU. If he keeps improving at this rate he could really be something.

[TDDance234]

I would argue he's the reason why we are where we are this season. If not for David, were back to the middle of the pack in the Big South, IMO.

[SuperJon]

I would argue he's the reason why we are where we are this season. If not for David, were back to the middle of the pack in the Big South, IMO.

Agreed completely. I'm loving watching him play this season. He's a great guy and deserves it.

[olldflame]

If you look at what we have achieved this year compared to what we expected, getting this amazing productivity from David seems to be the difference. Noone on here expected much out of him at all. Really glad we were wrong!

[TIMSCAR20]

I am glad to see him play well. He is a great kid. I was high on him during his red shirt year and I took a little bit of ribbing on here for him not playing well. I saw his potential and his skill level. He deserves all the credit though for his dedication and hard work. What out for Sommy too. I'm telling you he has a huge upside. Liberty has a chance to get 2 players on the 1st team All conference and neither are named David Minaya. That being said in many aspects he is one of the most valuable players on this team. Brown, Gordon and Sanders are all going to receive votes with one of them probably falling to the second team. Minaya will get votes too possibly for the second team. There are a lot of deserving players in this league this year though.

[Chippy]

He's been more productive on offense. He gets beat off the dribble and is not a contributor in the rebounding column. Otherwise he is light years ahead of where he was last year. He's playing with a lot more confidence and he gives us another offensive option.

[jbock13]

not to be rude or anything, but it's Minaya...

[mlschubert]

Thanks for the help. Sometimes I think Brian Regan's "hooked on phonics" skit was written for me..

[From the class of 09]

not to be rude or anything, but it's Minaya...

What does this mean?

[PAmedic]

not to be rude or anything, but it's Minaya...

What does this mean?

spelling in the thread title

Manaya v. Minaya

[jcmanson]

We've gotten to the point where we have 4 guys in double figures - Jesse, JB, Evan and now Dave. Most teams need a 3rd scorer. It's great that we have 4 and all 4 will be back next year!

[Hold My Own]

He's awful at softball...so I'm glad the found a sport he can play

[olldflame]

I know he's from Florida now, but a Dominican who can't play pelota is like an oxymoron.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

The great thing about Dave is that he is showing this improvement. He has always been a great person on and off the floor and he has finally learned to channel that. He is very coach-able and has turned his ability to take instruction well into how he works. He always worked hard, but now it seems he has learned HOW to work. He has always put in so much work outside of practice improving his game, but has now focused that work on what he needed to work on. His main improvement has been his ability to create and get his own shot. As he improves in this department and continues to improve defensively, he will be a GREAT player.

Like Jon said, his play outside of the first half (I would even say after the first 10 minutes) has been a struggle, but it has gotten a little better every game starting with the VMI game. I think it will continue to improve, but this type of play is a gamble and getting to the tourny it can be scary.

Thats really my only negative though. He is a tough match-up at the 3 and I am glad he isn't playing the 4 anymore because he just isn't made for that position. If he continues to work through this year and in the off-season I think we will be able to label him as "elite" at the Big South level next year. As of right now, he is VERY Vital to US and without him we are probably .500 in conference play.

I am proud of him as a person as a player because with the rough road he had the past couple years, he could have gone the opposite direction very quickly (as many players do at Liberty), but he decided to be a warrior and get better.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

He's awful at softball...so I'm glad the found a sport he can play

Well he isn't an old man yet. Softball isn't for him haha