[Sly Fox]

Since my last State of the Program thread, there have been some changes and we now have more clarity about what the roster will look like this coming season.

Leaving Program - Graduation (2):

SG Larry Blair
G/F Damien Hubbard

Larry obviously is a huge hit as the Big South's All-Time Leading Scorer. Damien was a good soldier who helped fill the gap at every position on the floor at one time or another.


Leaving Program - Other Reasons (2):

G/F Dwight Brewington
PF Lamont Winters

Brew obviously is taking care of his family and his game will certainly be missed. As for Lamont, we hardly knew ya.




Rising Seniors (4):

PG T.J. Bannister
PF Alex McLean
PF Rell Porter
C Russell Monroe

Clearly this group is the key to the program's success in McKay's first year. TJ & Ace will be a very strong inside-outside combo. They alone should be enough to have us contending for the title against WU. Rell is a strong contributor and Russ gives us minutes.




Rising Juniors (4):

PG Justin Holland
SG Anthony Smith
SF Andrew Denton
SG Dominique Jones

Justin & Anthony will continue to be key components of our rotation playing significant minutes. Dominique's future is likely tied to whether or not his father remains on the staff. Then again, he could stay either way.





Rising Sophomores (4):

SG B.J. Jenkins
SG Kyle Ohman
SF Tyler Baker
PF Armon Jones

We all know Tyler's going to be great and Coach McKay probably is familiar with him being from Albuquerque. Both he & BJ showed flashes of brilliance this year and they should both get their opportunities as well again this neat season. But there are only so many minutes to go around. Armon needs to develop in his second season and Kyle needs to be ready if we get hit with the injury bug.




Incoming Freshmen (3):

PF Nathan Campbell
SG Jeremy Anderson
CG Johnny Stephene

We've known about Big Nate for some time. Without our Nigerian 7-footer, he will see more PT as a freshman. Both Anderson & Stephene bring more scoring the backcourt while the latter can run the point as needed.



Transfer - Sitting Out Season (1):

C Derek Oestreicher

We'll certainly need Derek's presence a year from now when Ace & Big Russ run out of eligibility.
_________________________________________________________________

So here is how I see our lineup looking next season barring any personnel changes:

PG:
T.J. Bannister
Justin Holland
Johnny Stephene
Dominique Jones



SG:
B.J. Jenkins
Jeremy Anderson
Kyle Ohman



SF:
Anthony Smith
Tyler Baker



PF:
Rell Porter
Armon Jones
Nate Campbell



Post:
Alex McLean
Russell Monroe


_________________________________________________________________


Projected Starting Lineup:

PG - TJ Bannister
SG - BJ Jenkins
SF - Anthony Smith
PF - Rell Porter
C - Alex McLean


==================================================

Bottom line, I believe we have enough talent on campus to help get Coach McKay off to a solid start in the Big South. If everything worked out as we'd like, we have the potential to take the league this season.

I think seeing everything laid out in front of you, its not hard to see where we will be focusing our recruiting efforts in the Class of 2008.

Thoughts?

[whmatthews]

I'd say a fair assessment Sly.

[Cider Jim]

Excellent analysis, Sly, though I may give the nod to Baker over Porter at the 4.

[Sly Fox]

I could see that but since Tyler's game seems more suited to the 3, I put him there for depth in the rotation. Obviously several of these guys could play multiple positions.

I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but is Dominique coming back this fall?

[Cider Jim]

At 6'9", Baker should dominate at the 3.

[olldflame]

On the surface it would appear our efforts should be focused on obtaining some more size in the 08 recruiting class. Of course we have a BIG head start with Derick, and hopefully Armon will get the motivation he needs from the new staff to improve. On a whole however, with this being RMc's first real recruiting class and 4 schollies available, I think it would be a mistake to focus too much on any one position if it means possibly passing over a player who has the talent to help take our program to another level. As long as at least 1 big is in there and the other 3 are not smallish guards, I say just sign the best players we can get who are a fit for LU.

[pointguard4christ]

This makes me want basketball season to come soon! I went mostly to the women's games and only got to watch one live men's game (double header), but I hope I'll be able to come to some more this season! I'm excited!!!

[olldflame]

At 6'9", Baker should dominate at the 3.

Keep in mind that he has to play both ends of the court. The Big South has a history of small, athletic 3s. These guys may have a hard time stopping Tyler, but he will have to defend them too. I think he is making progress in that area, but I'm not sure he's ready to guard someone like Reggie Williams.

I like Sly's starting lineup. I thing Rell will start based on his senior status and leadership as well as defense and hustle. Tyler will probably see more minutes than Rell, backing up both the 3 and 4.

[Sly Fox]

Rell bring so many things that don't show up in the box score that I feel we are better when he's on the floor much of the time.

And did I mention he's a Texan?

[pbow]

I know this sounds sort of mean-spirited, but I really hope Dominique is not on the team next year...I feel like he's not even able to contribute to the team as a player to practice against. I am a very big fan of his dad though.

[jmdickens]

I know this sounds sort of mean-spirited, but I really hope Dominique is not on the team next year...I feel like he's not even able to contribute to the team as a player to practice against. I am a very big fan of his dad though.

well he is working as an intramural ref....either he is doing christian service (which I thought athletes did not have to do) or he is not on the team (because I thought being an NCAA scholarship player, you were not allowed to work during the school year....well that might only during the season)

[SuperJon]

I think that's only the season. I know some football and baseball players with jobs in the off season.

[TIMSCAR20]

I spoke to Dominique on Saturday and he does not plan on coming back to Liberty. Also Andrew Denton has not been on the team since January. I would say that Rell will start at the 4 over Tyler and that there is no way Baker is playing the 3 in the big south on a consistent basis. You may get some minutes out of him there on occasion but 3's in this league are really really quick. Not a knock on TB but in my opinion his game is more suited to the 4 position as an inside/outside player...TJ is going to lead the conference in assists more than likely. He is one of the better penetrators and passers we have seen in recent memory.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

I like the break Down Sly that seems pretty close. I wouldnt look for Armon to back up rell at the 4 just because i feel like that is where Tyler Will be... at 6'9" he should (and Would) dominate the 3, but i think he will play the 4 on his rise to becoming an allstar.

[LUconn]

ugh, this is a SOLID team, but where is the scoring gonna come from? This is more like a 2 PG lineup. I guess there will be plenty of ball movement. I guess with Blair doing the bulk of the scoring the past few years, someone is really gonna have to step it up.

[TDDance234]

The points are going to have to come from Smith and BJ. If BJ shows the same deteremination at getting to the basket as he did last year, there is no reason he can't score 10-12 points a game.

[TIMSCAR20]

Clearly Smith can get you points and will be much more assertive than when LB was his teammate. RMK believes in him and he will be a go to player. TJ Bannister will make everyone a better scorer with his penetration and they will shoot a lot of 3's next season I have the feeling. I don't think scoring will be a problem. I don't know RMK that well yet but one thing his predecessor had was a defensive mind set. I don't know if Liberty will be as good on that end than they have been in the past but that will play itself out.

[TDDance234]

It's going to be interesting to see how the defense plays out. We know Rell's going to bring the defense and Anthony has always been a solid defender but outside of those two, there aren't any other defensive minded players.

[paradox]

First of all, I'd be shocked if Porter takes minutes away from Baker at the 4 and Baker in turn takes minutes away from Smith at the 3. Secondly, the 3, in our context, is more gaurd than anything and I don't see Baker as a gaurd at all. Finally, Senior or not, Porter has limitations with his game, and Smith and Baker are both more than capable of stepping up to help lead this team while providing more balance at the same time.

Bannister / Stephene
Anderson / Jenkins
Smith / Anderson
Baker / Campbell
McClean / Redd? / Monroe

I still say that Porter will probally only see spot duty as a defender, unless of course he improves dramatically with his shooting and rebounding.

There a are a few new faces potentially playing leading roles next season. It's hard to gauge at this time what kind of year we should expect. But I'm optimistic noetheless, especially if Redd plays or Armon Jones and Bigg Russ become more servicable underneath.

[TDDance234]

I still say that Porter will probally only see spot duty as a defender, unless of course he improves dramatically with his shooting and rebounding.

I agree that his offense is very limited and he's not going to offer much more than 3-4 points a game on the offensive end but his defense is invaluable. He was a huge spark for us down the stretch last season.

I can't imagine Rell not playing atleast 20 minutes a game.

[LUconn]

He's your typical 4 cleanup guy. Not a great shooter, and not too many post moves, but he can rebound and throw up a put back with the best of them. He'll no doubt get his minutes.

[jcmanson]

I like Sly's assessment. RP will play, baker may play more minutes but RP will get his 15-20 mins per. Scoring will come from a variety of players, Baker, B.J., Smith, T.J., etc.

[Fumblerooskies]

Most coaches would be turning over inheriting a program in the state of ours....

[olldflame]

I've also gotta disagree with you paradox on several points. First of all, I think it is an insult to say that Rell would not be taking minutes away from Baker at the 4 when Rell has been the starter there for 2 years. If anything, it would be the other way around, and I for one believe Baker will take some minutes from Rell. As far as the 3 is concerned, I think we all agree that Smitty will be the man, and will play 30 plus minutes a game, but he will need to take a blow occasionally, and IMHO Baker will get some of those minutes as well. If not, who will?

Putting Campbell as the #1 backup at the 4 and relegating Rell to spot duty at this point is IMHO VERY premature. I will agree that Rell needs to step it up a bit offensively in addition to his other contributions, but I think he can do that. Having Anderson start ahead of BJ is also silly IMHO. I'm not saying things couldn't play out for these youngsters to play a larger role as the season progresses, but for now.... I don't think so. I also think it's whacky to put Vince Redd, as terrific an athlete as he is, ahead of Russ at the 5, when we don't even know yet if he will play.

Noone hopes more than I do that our new players are good; good enough to contribute, and perhaps better than what we have, but you are sounding like a Coastal Carolina football fan.

Having said all that, I think the only players who are a lock right now for anything are TJ at the point and Ace in the post. For all we know, when it comes time to lace it up next fall RMc could decide to go small and play a 3 guard lineup with Smitty at the 4. It worked pretty well in 04.

[TDDance234]

First of all, I think it is an insult to say that Rell would not be taking minutes away from Baker at the 4 when Rell has been the starter there for 2 years.

And while obviously Baker is the starting 4 of the future, RP brings the "intangibles" the cliche "things that don't show up on the score sheet." RP can give you effective minutes on the floor without having to have the ball in his hands.