- March 3rd, 2024, 11:55 pm
#660250
Coach Mckay has done an overall great job while he's been at Liberty. I think we are blessed to have him as a coach, and he certainly knows what he's doing. I don't question this, but I am a little concerned as it seems like some of you are who have been posting about the basketball team this year. For the record, the season is not over, and we still could win the CUSA tournament. I get it and realize we could still do some damage and go to the Big Dance. However, I will admit at the beginning of the year I was very excited about what I was seeing. Although the Myrtle Beach tournament was early in the season, we were playing well. Both Charlotte and Vermont have gone on to very good seasons and we played both teams very well, winning both games. It seems rare to see a team get worse as the season progresses, but that appears to be what happened to us this year. I have been dismayed to see how dismal we have played during the second half of this season. The Pack-line defense might as well have been called the Pack Score defense (it didn’t work). Teams have scored at will against us during the second half of the season. Here are my thoughts on some of our players. Again, I think Coach Mckay does a great job and our roster represents our school well. I am not denying this at all, and I appreciate so much about our team. I also attend the games. I am a season ticket holder and attend every home game minus the Christmas garbage games against Boyce College and similar competition (I just can’t watch that stuff).
My thoughts on the current roster:
Cleveland- I like what he brings to the program, but he is also erratic at times. I'm not completely sold on him being the primary ball handler, but he might be the best we can do at this time. It would be interesting to see him on the wing more where he could slash to the basket off of picks etc.
Porter- I mentioned last year in this forum that I don’t see him being a 4-year starter. If he remains a starter, we are doomed to .500 ball in CUSA. He wasn’t great last year and wasn’t much better this year (his shot did improve this year). I am not saying that he is not a good ball handler, because he is, but unfortunately, we need more than a ball handler on the court. He was scored on at will by other teams all season long. Is he even a D1 player? No disrespect, but I’m not sure at this point. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t transfer at some point.
Peebles- He contributed well this year but has struggled to find a rhythm at times (seems to have lost some confidence). I feel like his increased playing time during the middle of the season was a help to the team. Unfortunately, like many others on the team, he was inconsistent. Hopefully, next year he can become more of a consistent contributor.
Metheny- This kid had an excellent season and I believe the best is yet to come for Kaden. It will be interesting to see how he meshes in with newcomers next year. He is a defensive liability against larger guards but he’s so good in other ways it is hard to keep him off the court. It wouldn’t have bothered me to see him consistently play the point this year.
Venzant- A great defender! Every team needs a stopper and Venzant brings this. I expect another year of the same. His jumper did improve some this year but still has a way to go.
Sutherland- Showed some promise at times but is he an answer to our woes? I am not sure, but he deserves some time to show more of what he can do.
Spell- His career at Liberty might be over. He just never seemed to find himself at LU. I’m kind of surprised as he was a UNC recruit out of high school.
Yates- Seems like a nice kid. Is he an answer for us on the court? No! I could see him eventually transferring.
Rode- Graduating- He had a solid career at LU and led well.
Robinson- Graduating- His performance declined but he was a solid player for Liberty for 5 seasons.
Davis- Will he be a difference-maker for the team? Seems little is known as to what he will bring to the team. I hope I’m surprised but I’m skeptical at this point.
Blair- I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. Solid HS recruit out of Richmond.
Yu- An inside source tells me he is legit and stronger than he looks. I hear the language barrier has been a struggle for him. Looking forward to seeing what he brings next year.
What are your thoughts on the future of the team?
My thoughts on the current roster:
Cleveland- I like what he brings to the program, but he is also erratic at times. I'm not completely sold on him being the primary ball handler, but he might be the best we can do at this time. It would be interesting to see him on the wing more where he could slash to the basket off of picks etc.
Porter- I mentioned last year in this forum that I don’t see him being a 4-year starter. If he remains a starter, we are doomed to .500 ball in CUSA. He wasn’t great last year and wasn’t much better this year (his shot did improve this year). I am not saying that he is not a good ball handler, because he is, but unfortunately, we need more than a ball handler on the court. He was scored on at will by other teams all season long. Is he even a D1 player? No disrespect, but I’m not sure at this point. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t transfer at some point.
Peebles- He contributed well this year but has struggled to find a rhythm at times (seems to have lost some confidence). I feel like his increased playing time during the middle of the season was a help to the team. Unfortunately, like many others on the team, he was inconsistent. Hopefully, next year he can become more of a consistent contributor.
Metheny- This kid had an excellent season and I believe the best is yet to come for Kaden. It will be interesting to see how he meshes in with newcomers next year. He is a defensive liability against larger guards but he’s so good in other ways it is hard to keep him off the court. It wouldn’t have bothered me to see him consistently play the point this year.
Venzant- A great defender! Every team needs a stopper and Venzant brings this. I expect another year of the same. His jumper did improve some this year but still has a way to go.
Sutherland- Showed some promise at times but is he an answer to our woes? I am not sure, but he deserves some time to show more of what he can do.
Spell- His career at Liberty might be over. He just never seemed to find himself at LU. I’m kind of surprised as he was a UNC recruit out of high school.
Yates- Seems like a nice kid. Is he an answer for us on the court? No! I could see him eventually transferring.
Rode- Graduating- He had a solid career at LU and led well.
Robinson- Graduating- His performance declined but he was a solid player for Liberty for 5 seasons.
Davis- Will he be a difference-maker for the team? Seems little is known as to what he will bring to the team. I hope I’m surprised but I’m skeptical at this point.
Blair- I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. Solid HS recruit out of Richmond.
Yu- An inside source tells me he is legit and stronger than he looks. I hear the language barrier has been a struggle for him. Looking forward to seeing what he brings next year.
What are your thoughts on the future of the team?