A Sea Of Red

I almost hate to start this thread because I know what will end up happening, but I feel something needs to be said. We have made no progress in our program for multiple years. Yes last year was a bright spot, but then we choked when it mattered. I don’t want to hear any excuses about injuries, etc. Everyone deals with those. But looking at our roster I see no:

Larry Blair
Dwight Brewington
Anthony Smith
David Dees
Gabe Martin
Kyle Ohman
Seth Curry
BJ Jenkins
Brolin Floyd
Alex McLean
TeeJay Bannister
The list goes on and on…

Do we have any that will be here next year?

Where is our talent? Are we trying to win the local church league or are we trying to win at the D1 level?

There’s no enthusiasm in this program. None. The Vines is desolate, cold, and quiet. We have game threads with 19, 20, 23, 26 posts when I make that many posts in my sleep.

I have a hard time convincing myself to make the 2 hour drive to watch the team play, and I love this University and its athletic program.

I think Layer is a good coach, but is he bringing in the talent to compete at this level? I feel he’s going to get a pass this year because of the injuries. I feel he’ll get a pass next year because we’re “rebuilding” after Jesse graduates.

I want to be able to brag on my school’s basketball program. I want to have a vested rooting interest deep into February. I want my wife to have to beg me to stop going to bball games.

I know you're not intentionally overlooking him but I want to point out Jesse is talented. Not a pure scorer like many on the list, but just as talented and valuable to our team.

As for the rest of the team well, that's the reason for this thread.

Also, wasn't the absence of Layer supposedly the reason for our poor big man development under BeTray? I guess it's been better since but nothing great. We certainly haven't given him enough time, especially as well as we did last year, but, yeah there's just a lack of excitement.

Also, this is going to turn anti-Barber very fast with what's his name lurking the last week or so

BuryYourDuke wrote:Do we commit serious resources to basketball the way we do football? I don't know, I'm asking honestly.

No. Just answering honestly.
I do scratch my head at some of the signings we have made, and that just may be my bias against the ability of a great number of Home School athletes.
I also think it would be very surprising if a Layer team had any scandals like other teams and programs.
This many injuries to this many key players is not an excuse. It is a reason. Those are two different things. I think it will speak volumes about Layer if this team battles every nite. That is a tough thing to do but I hope / think he can
SCAR needs to hurry up with the little ones so we can get some decent players!

Manson, check your privacy settings: RD may have hacked into your FF account.

People keep whining about the homeschoolers. But think about them:

Russel: never panned out. barely played
Jesse: In the conversation for best LU PG ever. BSPOY last year
JC: Quality role player as a freshman. Inconsistent so far this year
Baird: Starting slow after 2 years of not playing

1 was a bust (after some unprovoked hype), one is a possible GOAT, 1 is a contributing underclassman, and 1 has a lot of work to do. I'd say it's no better or worse than public/private schoolers

I like Layer. But we need guys who going to stay to play for Liberty. Not some school to move up from. Not some guy who fake plays a Christian. Some guy who knows what we stand for, and can ball.

Perhaps Layer should spend some time at the intermural games?

Only 1 of those guys was Layer's.

Cider Jim wrote:Manson, check your privacy settings: RD may have hacked into your FF account.

Let the defensive positioning begin....

LUconn wrote:People keep whining about the homeschoolers. But think about them:

Russel: never panned out. barely played
Jesse: In the conversation for best LU PG ever. BSPOY last year
JC: Quality role player as a freshman. Inconsistent so far this year
Baird: Starting slow after 2 years of not playing

1 was a bust (after some unprovoked hype), one is a possible GOAT, 1 is a contributing underclassman, and 1 has a lot of work to do. I'd say it's no better or worse than public/private schoolers

Good thing you are not a recruiting coordinator! I would say Jesse could be one of the best but top 10 maybe top 5. And if memory serves we have had more then 4 in our programs.
I understand LUs unique sitation and appeal to home schoolers. My pov is the coaching and type of competition they play nigh in and night out. Take a jaunt over when the Mid Atlantic home school tourey comes to town. I just don't recall any homeschool player becoming an NCAA All America at any level. I have nothing against them at all but am just very skeptical.
And for the record, what LU does with the Home School Tourney is awesome and home they continue. Coach Layer is an incredible ambassador for our school and team.

they need to limited themselves on the small private christian/home school kids because future wise the team is going to struggle with athletic teams.

also, the talent they do get they can't keep

Who has Layer brought in that is a contributor?

jcmanson wrote:Who has Layer brought in that is a contributor?

Speaks looks good so far.

jbock13 wrote:

jcmanson wrote:Who has Layer brought in that is a contributor?

Speaks looks good so far.

Courtesy of Mantlo.

jbock13 wrote:

jcmanson wrote:Who has Layer brought in that is a contributor?

Speaks looks good so far.

He's been here 3 years, is that all we have to show for it? A JUCO guard averaging 11 ppg for a team in desperate need of scoring.

LUconn wrote:Also, this is going to turn anti-Barber very fast with what's his name lurking the last week or so

Who's what's his name, and where is he lurking?

anyone who doesn't drink the .

What most of us don’t like about “these people” LUconn is referring, is they’re too busy looking into the past. Where as a true fan is trying to look to the future.

Kyle Ohman was a homeschooled walk-on who turned out all right. I'd rather us not turn this into a thread bashing our current guys.

jcmanson wrote:What most of us don’t like about “these people” LUconn is referring, is they’re too busy looking into the past. Where as a true fan is trying to look to the future.

I thought you may have had enough to recognize what is happening to our programs. But just keep watching if you think we lack enthusiasm now. So let's all look forward to Coastal.

We finished 2nd last year. just goes to show you where you finish in the regular season does appease anybody dot dot dot dot

oh why did I do that

By now, it's all kind of humerous. Bottom line is the future. No doubt, no argument.
And that is what a true fan is looking to.

Sly Fox wrote:Kyle Ohman was a homeschooled walk-on who turned out all right. I'd rather us not turn this into a thread bashing our current guys.

Which is why I have prefaced all my remarks about home school players. I'm not hating, just skeptical with an open mind.

grm wrote:By now, it's all kind of humerous. Bottom line is the future. No doubt, no argument.
And that is what a true fan is looking to.

grm...I believe the only ones laughing are the opponents