A Sea Of Red

for next year?

First of all we still have more basketball to be played this year, but let's be realistic we're not losing 4 starting seniors. Russ doesn't start, much less even play. We lose 3 contributors in Alex, Rell and TeeJay. All 3 will be tough to replace, but I really think Anthony is going to be a stud next year. Along with he, B.J., and Kyle and Jeremy we have a solid nucleus that will be enhanced by 6 new players.

First of all, yes 4 Seniors started against Radford, but that's because it was SENIOR NIGHT. Russell Monroe played 1 minute.

If last night's game is any indication, we will be fine. We beat a Radford team which has been coming on strong, and except for rebounding from Ace, got almost no productivity from our seniors. With Smitty and BJ leading the way, a loaded recruiting class, and Kyle and Jeremy playing their roles, I think the future looks bright. Then there is the wild card which I'm not even counting on yet, which would be a healthy Tyler Baker.

I wouldn't write this season off just yet. This tournament is still wide open as far as I'm concerned.

Sure, we'll miss Ace & TJ, but next year should promising. All early indications point to next year's incoming class as potentially the finest ever at LU. We have at least three freshman coming in who are good enough to start.

Yes, 3 freshman who could start, and don't overlook Sammy Jackson the incoming JUCO player. He seems to be in the mold of a Charles Barkley which will really help offset guys like Baker and Austin Smith.

From what I hear about the incoming class, we should be better next year. Every year that RM is here, will allow him to build a team to match his coaching strengths. I'm really not expecting big things next year (although I would be very happy). I'm looking at the 09-10 season to be Liberty's breakout year. If RM is as good as advertised, he should have no problem having a NCAA tournament team ready by then. Especially if he has 2-3 seasons of top 50 recruiting (I had heard rumors that this years recruiting class may be top 50 in the nation).

Jackson should be a big part of the rotation, and certainly has the potential to see starter's minutes. The same can be said for Johnny Stephene.

We should be loaded with quality depth at every position going into next season:

Backcourt:

Curry, Stephene, Anderson, Jenkins, Ohman, Lewis

Forwards:

Anthony Smith, Floyd, McMasters, Jackson, Austin Smith, Baker

I agree that Jackson will add a valuable physical presence next year. I do not agree that our big men (Baker, Smith and McMasters) will need to be "offset". Just because they can shoot the 3 does not mean they will not get it done inside as well. We are talking 6'9, 6'9 and 6'11 here, and all were/are dominant rebounders in HS. McMasters will be our first real shot blocker since Aluma. Austin Smith was the leading scorer and rebounder in the Arizona state championship game, and only 3 of his 19 points came from beyond the arc.

paradox wrote:Jackson should be a big part of the rotation, and certainly has the potential to see starter's minutes. The same can be said for Johnny Stephene.

We should be loaded with quality depth at every position going into next season:

Backcourt:

Curry, Stephene, Anderson, Jenkins, Ohman, M-Smith
Forwards:

Anthony Smith, Floyd, McMasters, Jackson, Austin Smith, Baker

Huh?

You left out recruit Mike Lewis. Was that who you meant?

if tyler baker is healthy they'll win the national championship, right?

olldflame wrote:

paradox wrote:Jackson should be a big part of the rotation, and certainly has the potential to see starter's minutes. The same can be said for Johnny Stephene.

We should be loaded with quality depth at every position going into next season:

Backcourt:

Curry, Stephene, Anderson, Jenkins, Ohman, M-Smith
Forwards:

Anthony Smith, Floyd, McMasters, Jackson, Austin Smith, Baker

Huh?

You left out recruit Mike Lewis. Was that who you meant?

Yes, Lewis, not Smith.

flamesbball84 wrote:if tyler baker is healthy they'll win the national championship, right?

That is correct

flamesbball84 wrote:if tyler baker is healthy they'll win the Big South Conference championship, right?

Fixed it.

Yes!

Regardless of what happens RMK should be fully judged mostly by the 09-10 season, when he has had time to recruit his players. Obviously he has done a very good job so far with players he inherited and I look forward to an exciting future.

flameshaw wrote:Regardless of what happens RMK should be fully judged mostly by the 09-10 season, when he has had time to recruit his players. Obviously he has done a very good job so far with players he inherited and I look forward to an exciting future.

I agree flameshaw, and most of that recruiting has already been done, but IMHO it isn't fair to expect too much from Freshmen. Next year we will have 2 Seniors at most, and perhaps only 1 when all is said and done, so the 09 recruiting class will be a small one.

flamesbball84 wrote:if tyler baker is healthy they'll win the national championship, right?

Amen Sir... Im glad to see other people have been given intelligence

olldflame wrote:

flamesbball84 wrote:if tyler baker is healthy they'll win the Big South Conference championship, right?

Fixed it.

Yes!

This is correct also... ON THE WAY TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Let's be honest, if the guys we have coming in are anywhere near as advertised, people like Kyle Ohman won't even see the floor next year. A few of the incoming freshmen would have at least got significant minutes on this year's team...if not started.

hurricane fan wrote:Let's be honest, if the guys we have coming in are anywhere near as advertised, people like Kyle Ohman won't even see the floor next year. A few of the incoming freshmen would have at least got significant minutes on this year's team...if not started.

I agree that Kyle's minutes will probably go down next year, from 6th man/sometimes starter to role player and perhaps bench warmer. He will have to compete with Jeremy for minutes as designated zone-buster, but with the shooters that will be arriving/returning (Baker, Curry, McMasters etc.) even that may not be available.

BJ
Seth
Smitty
Baker
McMasters

then you would have the big body Jackson coming off the bench, and same with Austin Smith.
Jeremy and Mike Lewis/Stephene/J Holl would come off the bench for the guards.

I am thinking Ohman would turn into more of a "Shooting 4" and come in for Baker against a smaller team. Like he does now some times when he plays instead of Rell.

But I guess Brolin could do that, too...

Brolin Floyd has the potential to start for this team next season. He could be a very productive 3 or 4 in McKay's system.

olldflame wrote: We are talking 6'9, 6'9 and 6'11 here, and all were/are dominant rebounders in HS.

No offense, olldflame, but with that line of reasoning, I bet Big Russ was a dominant rebounder in his home-schooled, high school league, but that didn't exactly translate into Big South rebounding dominance.

But I agree that even greater things are to come when next year's recruits arrive on campus and take to the LU hardwood in the Vines.

Yeah, don't forget about Brolin, I believe that kid is going to be pretty good.

I think we are set for a few seasons......Good job coach McKay..