[bballfan84]

I spent this past weekend hanging around the basketball team, went to shootaround and the game, and spent some time with one of the assistant coaches. This was my first live look at the team this year and to be honest I think we are being a little more critical than we should be. First off Virginia Intermont, while being an NAIA school, they have a couple guys who are very talented, and while we struggled with them early they are a pretty legit NAIA school. It was good for the guys to get a W, and it wasnt a W over a really weak team.

Also got to take a look at some of the younger players on our team, and I think we have some good prospects who if developed could be some serious players. Sanders and Minaya are gone after this year and the guard play will definitely need a lift as I see that being our only weak point with the team going forward. Gielo and Baird are solid players but I really liked the potential of Andrew Smith. That guy could really turn into a serious player. He is freakishly athletic and if he can put it all together then he could be a Big South conference player. I really feel like Baird, Smith, and Gielo if they stay healthy could be a very deadly trio in the Big South. Also lets not forget we have two very good players coming from JUCO next year and from what I hear they could really turn some heads. Thats my summary of this team. Before this past weekend I had a negative outlook on the program but there is some serious potential with this team.

[jbock13]

I agree with you. Even though this team looks terrible to this point, I still see the potential is there to make some noise in the conference tournament.

We played close with both Campbell and Coastal. Sure it wasn't a win but Coastal blew us out last year at their place.

I think there's still hope. It's just got to come around.

Also agree with you on Intermont. They played us pretty close last year too.

[IMBach]

Not to pour cold water in your cup. The cup should be full....three years to recruit...best budget in BSC. We need to be performing. This is not year one of taking over a bad program. Jesse is returning POY. Maybe my expectations are too high but certainly no one signs off on 1-13 in last 14 D1 games.

[LUconn]

so what's the solution

[IMBach]

so what's the solution

Great question. It is unfortunate to see where this program is. I am not as impressed with the talent or potential. So the solution is that you can not change dimes to quarters...get some horses or step out of ring.

[BJWilliams]

Um those arent solutions...those are cliches...

[jmdickens]

You put Brown back on this team and we would look much better....

Also, just think if we could keep players.....Gordon would have helped as well. But, we have to get things together

[Purple Haize]

so what's the solution

Great question. It is unfortunate to see where this program is. I am not as impressed with the talent or potential. So the solution is that you can not change dimes to quarters...get some horses or step out of ring.

So where does the nickel come from? Or do I give 3 dimes and no change? That stinks. What if I only have a dollar? Or debit card?
Are we at a circus? That's one of the only places I know where horses are kept in rings. Plus I'm not sure I'd want to be in a ring full of horses. If they get spooked, it be all over. Ask any cowboy! Brokebach or otherwise!

[truthorconsequences]

Can we change ponies for horses?

[Purple Haize]

Can we change ponies for horses?

Dunno. Not my analogy. I do know that there are some pricey ponies though.

[Helmickcd]

I spent this past weekend hanging around the basketball team, went to shootaround and the game, and spent some time with one of the assistant coaches. This was my first live look at the team this year and to be honest I think we are being a little more critical than we should be. First off Virginia Intermont, while being an NAIA school, they have a couple guys who are very talented, and while we struggled with them early they are a pretty legit NAIA school. It was good for the guys to get a W, and it wasnt a W over a really weak team.

Also got to take a look at some of the younger players on our team, and I think we have some good prospects who if developed could be some serious players. Sanders and Minaya are gone after this year and the guard play will definitely need a lift as I see that being our only weak point with the team going forward. Gielo and Baird are solid players but I really liked the potential of Andrew Smith. That guy could really turn into a serious player. He is freakishly athletic and if he can put it all together then he could be a Big South conference player. I really feel like Baird, Smith, and Gielo if they stay healthy could be a very deadly trio in the Big South. Also lets not forget we have two very good players coming from JUCO next year and from what I hear they could really turn some heads. Thats my summary of this team. Before this past weekend I had a negative outlook on the program but there is some serious potential with this team.

Thanks for sharing!

I have been really down on our team this year but this post really helped give me a new perspective. I really think that Brown's injury was a dagger to our team because he played such a pivotal role. With him, this team is completely different. I think that Layer knows the most important thing about college basketball: It is a TEAM sport. The way he recruits is smart because he recruits team players. His teams always have great chemistry.

[Purple Haize]

Great chemistry can make up for a lack of talent. But there are limits and I think the injuries this year are showing them.

[Helmickcd]

Great chemistry can make up for a lack of talent. But there are limits and I think the injuries this year are showing them.

You are 100% correct. I think that Layer will need to really recruit some talent in the upcoming off-season.

[SumItUp]

Is there any chance that JB applies for and gets another year after being injured this year? The NCAA seems to make 6-year exceptions each season. Would JB want to play another season?

[Sly Fox]

Yes & Yes. But it is up to the NCAA.

[LUconn]

I thought there was talk of him maybe not even playing this year. I think he already got his degree.

[Cider Jim]

There's always graduate school...

[bballfan84]

Great chemistry can make up for a lack of talent. But there are limits and I think the injuries this year are showing them.

The other thing about the injuries that I dont feel like a lot of people are factoring in is that it has us playing guys completely out of their natural positions. Yes we have talented people but when you have guards who have to play the 4 it doesnt show their skills and talent that they would be able to at the guard spot. I am not saying we have a stacked team by any means but there are kids their that have some really big talent. The coaches will do their job to develop the talent and it will all depend on how the kid reacts to it.

[bballfan84]

so what's the solution

Great question. It is unfortunate to see where this program is. I am not as impressed with the talent or potential. So the solution is that you can not change dimes to quarters...get some horses or step out of ring.

Where do you think we lack and who are you comparing our talent too??

[newnavy84]

At this point in the season, we know who we are, a bunch of young guys and a bunch of injuries. That's the first step, now what can we do with them? We can almost throw this season away. Gordon was our first issue, than injury after injury after injury. So, how about we look to the future? Let's get Smith some more PT, along with Baird, Phillips, let them make some mistakes, make us look bad, but all that will do is give them more and more experience. JC hasn't turned out to the be shooter we thought he was going to be, so let's just let him keep shooting his way out of this slump. By the end of the season, we'll have some freshman and sophomores with some serious experience. Next year we'll come out, hopefully healthy, and play like we know what we're doing. If we can get to know the team now, then we don't have to worry about that at the beginning of next season.

The only sad part about that solution is Jesse and Minaya. They have put a lot into this program and been through a couple of coaching and personel changes. Who know, if you start getting those young guys in, they might find a rhythm and we might find ourselves winning when it counts, in the Big South tournament. Hope is not lost, but we need to start looking ahead.

Anyway, that's just what I think.

[chukels911]

From the beginning Coach Layer has been unable to compete in the Big South, the mere fact that we can even make it through the first round in the Big south playoff should tell you that he is not a big time coach. WE DO have a lot of talent on our team, but when that talent is unable to produce on the court, in my mind that reflects on the coaching staff. Simply go to ESPN and look at our Mens recruiting profile, all we sign are unrated mid level performers at best. that is because the coaching staff makes the program unappealing to anyone with any kind of talent. Dont get me started on Layers Paycheck...

[Chippy]

From the beginning Coach Layer has been unable to compete in the Big South, the mere fact that we can even make it through the first round in the Big south playoff should tell you that he is not a big time coach. WE DO have a lot of talent on our team, but when that talent is unable to produce on the court, in my mind that reflects on the coaching staff. Simply go to ESPN and look at our Mens recruiting profile, all we sign are unrated mid level performers at best. that is because the coaching staff makes the program unappealing to anyone with any kind of talent. Dont get me started on Layers Paycheck...

My take is that Coach gets the most from the talent he has. They play with much more intensity than when we had McKay coaching. He has a bunch of "role players" and is doing the best he can to mold them into a winning unit. It's not the lack of effort or intensity (which IS a reflection of the coach) but there is no one on the team that "scares" the opposition and each of them can be handled one on one. Lacking a true post presence or consistent and accurate shooter certainly puts us at a disadvantage. We can compete but we will have a hard time beating a team with superior talent - which is most all teams we will face this year.

[LUconn]

I like how everybody acts like we should just be blowing through the Big South every year. We might have more money, facilities, whatever, but do you really think the rest of the league and their coaching staff is just sitting on their hands watching us?

[R i]

Big South Basketball is much better than Big South Football.

Losing with class is important. I have sat in the Vines so embarassed by the way our coach and team fell apart during a loss. Looking like a sweaty tomatoe ready to explode. Thanks coach Layer for not doing that.

[PAmedic]

oh man- if the best we can say @ mens' hoops is that they can lose with class, we are in real trouble.

holding out hope that the conf portion of the season goes better.