[olldflame]

This year's team has already broken one record by winning our 13th conference game last night. A number of others are within reach, including our D1 record for most total wins, which is 23.

Although it's not something you can really measure, I would say they have already set a standard for the team that most exceeded expectations. We were the most improved team in the country in 91-92, going from 5-22 to 22-7, but to be honest, we pretty much knew that was coming. We had a great group of rising sophomores led by Matt Hildebrand who had paid their dues and taken their lumps playing a lot as Freshmen, and we were going from a killer independent schedule to the weak Big South.

In 37 years as a fan, aside from the moments of sheer jubilation following tournament wins, this is the proudest I've been of any team we have had. I'd be interested in hearing what some others think.

[jbock13]

Agreed.

[ALAFlamesFan]

My feeling is we are right back to where we were in the mid 90's and how I felt 2 years ago. We are a good team that works hard who I can see making the next step (regular contender for NCAA tournament spot and upset of top 50 team any given night) soon. How we follow through the next couple of seasons will tell the tale. My signature says it all but I really think we are in as good a place as we have ever been.

[flameshaw]

I like our coach as much or more than anyone we have ever had. I like the blue collar work ethic. I believe Layer gets the most out of the talent he has and should be the Coach of the Year in the BSC this year. However, we need to get some better talent, we need a good solid big man who weighs more than 90 lbs. I believe we have had more talented teams here, but none that have ever worked as hard. We are on the right track and I look forward to the years ahead.

.

[Chippy]

You can't coach heart and character. These boys exude both! Coach brings out the best but they bring these intangibles to campus. Heart and character are at the core of any "Champion for Christ".

[thepostman]

I don't say this out of disrespect for our guys, because we have some talent and they play hard...but can you imagine what Layer could get out of a team with just a little bit more talent??

If Layer continues to get the most out of his players like he has this year then this program is in great shape for the future...If you would've told me at the beginning of the season they would only have 2 conference losses and have 2nd place wrapped up with 3 conference games remaining I would say you're crazy...so happy with the progress we have made this year

[BJWilliams]

This rise of the program from what happened late in 09 to where we are now has been nothing short of meteoric...after the turnover that we had I was actually concerned that there would be some pretty big dropoff but to see what Coach Layer has done and to see the guys like Jesse and Evan really step in and to see guys live David finally show the potential that was expected when he transferred in a couple seasons ago and to see guys like JVP step right in and make an impact and to see JC sanders and Chene become solid contributors...I made this comment after we beat UNCA a few weeks ago but games like the Hampton game can be season changers...to lose the way we did, games like that can really do damage to a team psychologically...to respond by winning 13 out of the next 15 games, these guys have turned a major corner that prior teams in my time on the mountain since that 2004 championship team never really were able to...this could continue to be a very special team in the next few years...and it certainly is one now

[Cider Jim]

And we don't have any seniors getting significant PT, so all the key players should be back next year, plus Baird and a few others.

[jcmanson]

It really has been a wonderful season. If we make a 3 game run and get into the dance it will be our best season ever. We would have the most conference wins ever, the most wins as a D1 team ever, the highest RPI ever, etc. etc. etc. And to think our expectations were of getting a first round home game.

Next year could be a very special year. We return everyone. Our top 4 (Jesse, Evan, David, JB) are talented and a great group of leaders. JVP, Antwan, and Sommy provide size and depth at the 4 and 5 and they will only improve for next year. Chene and JC will hopefully work hard in the offseason and come back much improved providing us great depth at guard. Then if just one of the newcomers, including Baird, can step into a solid role for us we will have plenty of depth.

I'm trying to enjoy this season for what it is, but it's really hard to not be on the edge of my seat when thinking of next year.

[jbock13]

Would we at least make it to the CBI? Or did they just let us in because of (he who shall not be named).

[Chippy]

Ditto!

[TDDance234]

We would have to make it the tournament for me to call this the best season ever. Our record wasn't the best but that 2004 year is hard to put out of memory.

However, I'm very excited at the future of Liberty basketball.

[Sly Fox]

I'd prefer to put things in historical perspective once the season is put to bed. It is tough to appreciate things from a long-term perspective when you are still in the midst of the fight. But this team has the potential to be considered the best ever. And that is not something I would have even considered typing in jest two months ago.

[Hold My Own]

If anyone doubts our coaches just take a good look at our roster and then take a look at our record.....amazing.

[01LUGrad]

Just to be a jerk...

There is a 100% chance this season will be historic. Every season is. We just like to forget parts of history to make ourselves feel better.

[ToTheLeft]

Reminds me of a Mitch Hedberg joke...

One time, this guy handed me a picture of him, he said,”Here’s a picture of me when I was younger.” Every picture of you is when you were younger... “Here’s a picture of me when I’m older.” “You *******! How’d you pull that off? Lemme see that camera!”

[Elicoolbreeze]

Best Historic team

1) 1994 squad - gave #1 NC Tar Heels a run 30 minutes into the game as they had a lead before collapsing. RPI in the low 100s and nobody wanted to schedule us with Peter Aluma on the roster.

2) 2004 squad - biggest blowout in Big South Conference Championship game with win over High Point 89-44.

3) 2009 squad - 23-12 record with biggest win over George Mason. The team fizzled out towards the end of the season. In my opinion this squad underachieved as they should have posted more wins.

Current squad I believe will surpass the 2009 squad in wins and IF they were to win the Big South Tournament would surpass the 2004 squad hands down. However to bypass the 1994 squad they would have to at least show up for the game and make it a contest because that is what that '94 squad did to North Carolina.

[olldflame]

My opinion is it won't even be close for best team ever if we win the BSC and go to the dance. The 94 and 04 teams had mediocre years and then got hot for 3 games. 04 was below .500 going into the tourney.

While I see the point of those who say they can't be called the best if they don't go to the NCAAs, I tend more to look at the big picture. In the conference tourney, one bad game by us or one hot shooting night by an opponent can end it. I don't think that should nullify what these guys have accomplished if it were to happen.

I think this years team probably has more talent than we give them credit for, but the 94 team certainly had more (and more experience too). The 97 team Aluma's senior year with Jackson and White in the backcourt may have had the most talent, but lost in the finals without White, who had a bad hammie.

[Bigsouthking]

Most talented teams of all time maybe the ones that didn't win the tournament. (strictly talking D-1 teams at LU) the '92 team with Juice and the '97 team with Aluma. The '04 team was scary talented as well with Blair and Dees and Gabe Martin. The '94 team just got hot at the right time. Smitty and Curry '08 team, they weren't even close to the these other teams talent wise and the league was weak with VMI finishing second that year and Winthrop finishing 5th or 6th.

This team has better talent than everyone gives them credit for, Gordon maybe the best defender in the league at pressureing the ball, and John brown is as athletic and the best rebounder as anyone in the Conference. And Jesse is well Jesse.

Take into effect they play more Conference games these days and play more games overall with exempt tournaments as well, that's why the all time wins mark will go down soon.

[Sly Fox]

Under normal circumstances, our record would have us in the driver's seat of the conference. Obviously this year's CCU squad is not normal circumstances. Here is a look at the conference records of recent champions:

• 2005-2006 - Winthrop .................... 13-3
  2006-2007 - Winthrop .................... 14-0
  2007-2008 - Winthrop/UNCA ............ 10-4
  2008-2009 - Radford ...................... 15-3
  2009-2010 - Coastal Carolina ............ 15-3

[jcmanson]

and in 2004 we were 12-4 and won

[jbock13]

I miss having the Conference Tourney at the Roanoke Civic Center. I used to enjoy going to all the game. Stupid Roanoke can't do anything right...

[El Scorcho]

Best Flames team ever? Not sure yet.

My favorite Flames team ever? Quite possibly. There appears to be no quit in these kids and I think that always makes for the best in college basketball.

[Hold My Own]

Historically this team will go down as one of the biggest over achievers but you cant really say it's the best talent wise....to be honest....is it even close?

There is debate if the 1994 team is even the best ever on here.....well compare that lineup and our lineup its really not close. With all that said, that's what makes this team so impressive....the things they are doing is astounding

[alum82]

HMO, if the 94 team really had better talent, just think what they could have accomplished if they had had a talented coach.