- November 4th, 2006, 12:56 am
#38728
Great read from FoxSports who has Liberty as a possible contender for the Big South title. A must read for any Liberty Fan!
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/team?categ ... edir=false
On paper, coach Randy Dunton seems to have a team that could contend for the Big South title.
How quickly that potential jells might be the key to Dunton and Liberty's success. He has to integrate nine new faces into the mix on a roster that includes 18 players.
The team has some experience in Larry Blair, Anthony Smith, Damien Hubbard, Russell Monroe and Rell Porter, but how those veterans deal with reduced minutes with newcomers expected to play key roles is worth monitoring.
Blair, who might be the best player in the league, won't be playing any less if Dunton can help it. With 1,500 career points, he'll be taking aim on the school (2,273) and Big South (2,151) scoring marks. He improved his ball handling over the summer, after testing the NBA over the summer and then withdrawing. He's hoping to have the kind of season that will attract NBA attention.
The Flames, because Dunton has at least seven new faces that could play, may be a year away from contention. There may not be enough balls to go around on a team that appears to have an abundance of weapons.
Dwight Brewington, who started and averaged better than 13 points as a sophomore at Providence, is the top newcomer. He practiced with the team last year, which means he and Blair should know each other's court tendencies. But when Brewington finally gets into the lineup, it will be interesting to see if he will give way to Blair. If he does, the Flames could have the most potent backcourt in the league.
The Flames enter the season as the Big South's mystery team.
STRENGTHS: G Larry Blair is the kind of player any coach would like. He plays hard, can score against anyone and takes losing personally. Last year, coach Randy Dunton said Blair was the best player in the league and he may be right.
WEAKNESSES: Relying too much on Blair has been a problem. He's a gifted player, but can't carry a team over a long season. Someone on the roster has to figure out how to complement the talented guard if the Flames are going to contend.
LAST YEAR: 7-23, 3-13 Big South (8th), lost conference tournament first round.
HEAD COACH: Randy Dunton (career 97-111), sixth season at Liberty (63-85).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Larry's got to continue to grow with his ability to defend, because that's always going to be a factor when you're a 6-1 guard. He's worked himself into a really good position in the weight room. He's had a great summer improving his ability to handle and pass the ball. Those are areas that are going to be attractive as he looks to play himself into professional opportunities." -- Coach Randy Dunton on Larry Blair, who tested the NBA waters before deciding to return to school for his senior season.
SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Dwight Brewington, a 6-5 point guard who transferred from Providence after a falling out with the coaching staff, is the most heralded newcomer. He won't be eligible until December and when he is, the question becomes how he interacts with Larry Blair. Blair has been the man in Lynchburg for three years and he's not likely to take a backseat. Brewington can play every position except the post, but how he plays with and off of Blair is the key.
B.J. Jenkins, a 6-0 freshman who averaged 21 points and six assists as a high school senior, will get the start at point, at least until Brewington is eligible. He will be more willing to give the ball to Blair than Brewington might be. Kyle Ohman, Andrew York and Armon Jones are first-year players who may have to wait their turn. Alex McLean, a 6-8, 240-pounder, becomes eligible with Brewington and could be a factor inside.
Lamont Winters, another big body at 6-7, 260, suffered a dislocated ankle in August and was in a cast for 10 weeks. How much he will contribute is a question mark.
KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Dec. 16 game at St. Francis, Pa. doesn't look like a key game, but that's the day Dwight Brewington becomes eligible. That's when the watch will begin to see if Brewington and Blair can co-exist or if it will be a battle of who gets the ball more.
PROGRAM DIRECTION: Dunton is in his sixth season and has had one winning season. More importantly, he's just 39-35 in the Big South. The program isn't moving up or down, which means it's not getting better. This is a pivotal year for Dunton who needs to prove he can make the Flames competitive in the Big South.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Larry Blair, SG Anthony Smith., SF Damien Hubbard, PF Rell Porter, C Russell Monroe.
ROSTER REPORT: Tyler Baker, a 6-9 forward, came into last season rated the team's best shooter, but an ankle injury forced him to sit out the year. He's healthy.
Damien Hubbard, a 6-6 senior, was a question mark in the spring, when Dunton suspended him for not keeping up with his academics. He was reinstated in May and has moved back to forward after spending a shaky season trying to play guard.
Justin Holland, a 6-0 point guard, suffered a groin injury in October last year and played in 20 games. But he's was never the kind of player Dunton expected. Holland's healthy now and could be a factor in a very crowded back court.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/team?categ ... edir=false
On paper, coach Randy Dunton seems to have a team that could contend for the Big South title.
How quickly that potential jells might be the key to Dunton and Liberty's success. He has to integrate nine new faces into the mix on a roster that includes 18 players.
The team has some experience in Larry Blair, Anthony Smith, Damien Hubbard, Russell Monroe and Rell Porter, but how those veterans deal with reduced minutes with newcomers expected to play key roles is worth monitoring.
Blair, who might be the best player in the league, won't be playing any less if Dunton can help it. With 1,500 career points, he'll be taking aim on the school (2,273) and Big South (2,151) scoring marks. He improved his ball handling over the summer, after testing the NBA over the summer and then withdrawing. He's hoping to have the kind of season that will attract NBA attention.
The Flames, because Dunton has at least seven new faces that could play, may be a year away from contention. There may not be enough balls to go around on a team that appears to have an abundance of weapons.
Dwight Brewington, who started and averaged better than 13 points as a sophomore at Providence, is the top newcomer. He practiced with the team last year, which means he and Blair should know each other's court tendencies. But when Brewington finally gets into the lineup, it will be interesting to see if he will give way to Blair. If he does, the Flames could have the most potent backcourt in the league.
The Flames enter the season as the Big South's mystery team.
STRENGTHS: G Larry Blair is the kind of player any coach would like. He plays hard, can score against anyone and takes losing personally. Last year, coach Randy Dunton said Blair was the best player in the league and he may be right.
WEAKNESSES: Relying too much on Blair has been a problem. He's a gifted player, but can't carry a team over a long season. Someone on the roster has to figure out how to complement the talented guard if the Flames are going to contend.
LAST YEAR: 7-23, 3-13 Big South (8th), lost conference tournament first round.
HEAD COACH: Randy Dunton (career 97-111), sixth season at Liberty (63-85).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Larry's got to continue to grow with his ability to defend, because that's always going to be a factor when you're a 6-1 guard. He's worked himself into a really good position in the weight room. He's had a great summer improving his ability to handle and pass the ball. Those are areas that are going to be attractive as he looks to play himself into professional opportunities." -- Coach Randy Dunton on Larry Blair, who tested the NBA waters before deciding to return to school for his senior season.
SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Dwight Brewington, a 6-5 point guard who transferred from Providence after a falling out with the coaching staff, is the most heralded newcomer. He won't be eligible until December and when he is, the question becomes how he interacts with Larry Blair. Blair has been the man in Lynchburg for three years and he's not likely to take a backseat. Brewington can play every position except the post, but how he plays with and off of Blair is the key.
B.J. Jenkins, a 6-0 freshman who averaged 21 points and six assists as a high school senior, will get the start at point, at least until Brewington is eligible. He will be more willing to give the ball to Blair than Brewington might be. Kyle Ohman, Andrew York and Armon Jones are first-year players who may have to wait their turn. Alex McLean, a 6-8, 240-pounder, becomes eligible with Brewington and could be a factor inside.
Lamont Winters, another big body at 6-7, 260, suffered a dislocated ankle in August and was in a cast for 10 weeks. How much he will contribute is a question mark.
KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Dec. 16 game at St. Francis, Pa. doesn't look like a key game, but that's the day Dwight Brewington becomes eligible. That's when the watch will begin to see if Brewington and Blair can co-exist or if it will be a battle of who gets the ball more.
PROGRAM DIRECTION: Dunton is in his sixth season and has had one winning season. More importantly, he's just 39-35 in the Big South. The program isn't moving up or down, which means it's not getting better. This is a pivotal year for Dunton who needs to prove he can make the Flames competitive in the Big South.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Larry Blair, SG Anthony Smith., SF Damien Hubbard, PF Rell Porter, C Russell Monroe.
ROSTER REPORT: Tyler Baker, a 6-9 forward, came into last season rated the team's best shooter, but an ankle injury forced him to sit out the year. He's healthy.
Damien Hubbard, a 6-6 senior, was a question mark in the spring, when Dunton suspended him for not keeping up with his academics. He was reinstated in May and has moved back to forward after spending a shaky season trying to play guard.
Justin Holland, a 6-0 point guard, suffered a groin injury in October last year and played in 20 games. But he's was never the kind of player Dunton expected. Holland's healthy now and could be a factor in a very crowded back court.
Ever stopped to think why in the world are you doing on this earth? Goto www.juststopandthink.com for it just may give you the answers you were looking for and a life worth living.
- By jmclaughlin
- By cruzan_flame13
- By olldflame