[LUconn]

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasket ... report/LIB

The mere fact that Liberty won a Big South tournament game this season gives first-year coach Ritchie McKay hope that the program is moving in the right direction.

Before Liberty beat VMI to advance to the Big South tournament semifinals, the Flames had lost three straight conference tournament quarterfinal games, including two at home. Last season, VMI beat Liberty in the quarterfinals by a point, and the next day, the school fired coach Randy Dunton.

McKay's team lost in the next round, falling to UNC Asheville on its home floor, which was fitting considering the sort of season Liberty had. The Flames could play outstanding one night and look awful on others, and they struggled to string together solid performances.

Liberty's longest win streak was four games, which helped the team rebound from an 0-2 start in Big South play. But the Flames lost six of their last eight regular-season games before beating VMI in the league tournament.

Playing with a seven-man rotation for nearly the entire season, Liberty struggled to find any sort of consistency, especially late in the year, when mental and physical fatigue began to set in.

@ the bolded part.

[jcmanson]

Considering we haven't won a Big South tourney game in 4 years, I'd say it is a step in the right direction.

[LUconn]

meh, it just seem like a dumb comment. It doesn't show we're headed anywhere.

[kel varson]

meh, it just seem like a dumb comment. It doesn't show we're headed anywhere.

I agree with you.

[Ed Dantes]

My sophomore year, we won a Big South tournament game and blew a 16 point lead to Winthrop in the semi's. The next year we were the worst team in the nation.

Long story short -- one BS win does not mean a program is headed in the right direction.

Look at the numbers. Last year, we were in fourth with a 7-7 conference record. The year before we were in third, with an 8-6 conference record. That is not "progression" -- that is "regression".

[sweetnahmah1]

thanks

[checkmate]

My sophomore year, we won a Big South tournament game and blew a 16 point lead to Winthrop in the semi's. The next year we were the worst team in the nation.

Long story short -- one BS win does not mean a program is headed in the right direction.

Look at the numbers. Last year, we were in fourth with a 7-7 conference record. The year before we were in third, with an 8-6 conference record. That is not "progression" -- that is "regression".

thanks for being someone who doesn't get blinded by the smoke of the spin.

[jmdickens]

My sophomore year, we won a Big South tournament game and blew a 16 point lead to Winthrop in the semi's. The next year we were the worst team in the nation.

Long story short -- one BS win does not mean a program is headed in the right direction.

Look at the numbers. Last year, we were in fourth with a 7-7 conference record. The year before we were in third, with an 8-6 conference record. That is not "progression" -- that is "regression".

thanks for being someone who doesn't get blinded by the smoke of the spin.

I know.....half the talent, and still McKay does better

[checkmate]

My sophomore year, we won a Big South tournament game and blew a 16 point lead to Winthrop in the semi's. The next year we were the worst team in the nation.

Long story short -- one BS win does not mean a program is headed in the right direction.

Look at the numbers. Last year, we were in fourth with a 7-7 conference record. The year before we were in third, with an 8-6 conference record. That is not "progression" -- that is "regression".

thanks for being someone who doesn't get blinded by the smoke of the spin.

I know.....half the talent, and still McKay does better

The best post, arguably the best point and swing is not half the talent. Oh but that is dickens making the call. Once again 4th is better than 3rd.

[new flame]

7-7, 8-6. In the BSC, is there any difference? I'd say 14-17 in '07 and 16-16 in '08 is much better.

When RMC's recruits hit campus, all this whining will go away.

[LUconn]

I think you've been gone too long new flame. I can assure you it will not go away. It'll just look more ridiculous.

[new flame]

04-05: 12-15
05-06: 7-23
06-07: 14-17
07-08: 16-16

I'll take .500. And put money on 20+ wins in 08-09. Yeah, that's gonna rock.

[checkmate]

7-7, 8-6. In the BSC, is there any difference? I'd say 14-17 in '07 and 16-16 in '08 is much better.

When RMC's recruits hit campus, all this whining will go away.

Can't wait to see the new recruits and if we keep scheduling 14 to 16 games with RPIs over 300 you can keep spinning a record. The difference is 3rd place versus 4th place. In '07 we finished the year 7-2 in last nine conference games in '08 we went 3-5 to close in a weaker Big South. There is no whining here just some are willing to challenge the baloney that gets framed as improvement or christian ethics. Hope to see improvement we should with all the $$$ being put into the program.
Doesn't mean the fromer staff was treated right, but we will be anxious to see the new class and how much better we are at the point and post. A championship should be arriving soon.

[Cider Jim]

Or,...

33-55 (3 years before Ritchie) = .375 winning percentage
16-16 (1 year with Ritchie) = .500 winning percentage

[checkmate]

04-05: 12-15
05-06: 7-23
06-07: 14-17
07-08: 16-16

I'll take .500. And put money on 20+ wins in 08-09. Yeah, that's gonna rock.

'03- 2nd '08-4th
'04- 1st '09-???
'05- 2nd
'06- 8th
'07- 3rd
'08-Lang"Should contend for BSC title"

That is great you feel that it will be a 20 win season in 08-09. As close as you are to the AD you should have all the insight.

[new flame]

Left jab! Left jab! Upper-cut! Right hook!

[checkmate]

Or,...

33-55 (3 years before Ritchie) = .375 winning percentage
16-16 (1 year with Ritchie) = .500 winning percentage

Obviously RD built his schedules to finish strong in Big South play down the stretch:

'03: 6-5
'04: 12-3
'05: 11-3
'07: 7-2
**facts are in those four season rd went 36-13 to finish the year. Those are great numbers in any league. I know he had to do some house cleaning in '06. As I researched these numbers look at the non conference schedule of those years it was tough and help shape the team to finish strong in league.

RkM may do better time will tell.

[SuperJon]

You CANNOT leave out the 06 season in any argument.

[checkmate]

You CANNOT leave out the 06 season in any argument.

I agree wholeheartedly on that. But don't use the exception to discredit the track record. Most every program at one time or another has a season that requires adjustments. Still 36-13 to finish conference play is strong!

[grm]

Great comments that either sum up or point out the different camps/feelings on the coaching change.

One thing I will add: "strength of schedule" is a recognized factor throughout the nation when evaluating a record.

[SuperJon]

And you can look that Coach McKay is increasing his SOS next year. St. Louis, Depaul, the Las Vegas tournament, and Davidson are all games against traditionally good teams or currently good teams and are all games that we would at least have a chance in.

[jcmanson]

Those arguing cannot use strength of schedule in favor of either side.

[Chris Lang]

No commentary, just numbers for everyone's perusal:

2007-08: RPI 256, SOS 312 (lost BST SF)
2006-07: RPI 285, SOS 308 (lost BST QF)
2005-06: RPI 316, SOS 200 (lost BST QF)
2004-05: RPI 212, SOS 255 (lost BST QF)
2003-04: RPI 161, SOS 218 (NCAA)

[LUconn]

here's a pet peeve of mine. RPI is a formula that basically includes the SOS in it. So when you list the RPI and the SOS together, it's like counting SOS twice. They always list that on teams' "tournament resume" and it bugs the heck out of me. And it's also why Arizona got in this year.

[jcmanson]

And you can look that Coach McKay is increasing his SOS next year. St. Louis, Depaul, the Las Vegas tournament, and Davidson are all games against traditionally good teams or currently good teams and are all games that we would at least have a chance in.

Add to that George Mason and possibly VCU.