[Rocketfan]

Not drunk. Our season may be very up and down next year. We could have times that we don’t look like we are even a d1 team, but look at the rest of the conference- very weak. All we have to do is get hot at the right time for just 3 games. By the end of the season these freshman, as the saying goes, “won’t be freshman anymore.” I’m not expecting a championship, but wouldn’t be surprised one iota.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if we finished 10-20 and below .500 in the league.

Thats the biggest piece of CYA ive ever seen.....basically you saying we could be great or awful, are you running for office too?

Even if the conference is weak, if we don't get more than 1 home game with a bunch of freshman who says we can win multiple road games in the conf. tourney?? Hot or not the odds of winning two road games is near zero.

[jcmanson]

We won’t be awful. All I’m saying is we will be very, very inconsistent, and who’s to say we can’t be “on our game” for the right 3 games of the season.

Also, we don’t have to win 2 road games necessarily. We could be the 3 seed, win at home, then win on a neutral court, then win on the road.

[jcmanson]

If you want me to tell you what my gut tells me- my gut tells me we will finish around .500 overall, finish 3rd in the league, and lose in the championship game. We will show flashes of brilliance during the season, but the first several games of the season many of you will be calling for McKay’s, dox’s, and maybe even my head.

[RagingTireFire]

Well, if your gut says that then who are we to argue?

[paradox]

I agree with Manson on this. Getting hot at the end is pivotal to our ulitmate success in the conference tourney.

When you look at the upcoming schedule, the out of conference part appears to be quite challenging. McKay's gonna throw these guys into the fire right away. The out of conference challenges provide an opportunity to help this team mature at a much faster rate. This group should be tried, tested, and ready to go, by the time we get to the conference portion of the schedule. It should be interesting to say the least.

[LUFlamer09]

Anyone else hear that K.O has come a far ways even since the end of the season? I liked his play a lot and I think if he steps it up, it will help to alleviate at least a little pressure off the freshmen.

[Schfourteenteen]

Anyone else hear that K.O has come a far ways even since the end of the season? I liked his play a lot and I think if he steps it up, it will help to alleviate at least a little pressure off the freshmen.

As long as he doesnt lose his head he should be able to come in and spark something. His hard work and ability to spot up can always be used anywhere. Just dont let him drive and hes a solid contributor.

[Bigsouthking]

[quote="paradox"]I agree with Manson on this. Getting hot at the end is pivotal to our ulitmate success in the conference tourney.


Getting hot at the end of the season is pivotal to ANY team's success, especially in a 1 bid league.

It'll be interesting to see how we do. The 08-09 season kinda reminds me of RD's interim year, 97-98, played the toughest regular season schedule in LU history and still finished 4th in BSC, losing in semi's to UNCA by 4. This team lost 4 starters and RD's team lost 4 or 5 players as well before the season started. Both teams will be starting freshman point guards, 97-98 had Gumbo and Nic Wright and I guess RMK will have Stephene or Sanders, ironic.

[olldflame]

I think your comparison is a stretch at best. The 97-98 team had 3 strong senior leaders in Jackson, Reid and Soro to go with the young players. Next years team will have only one in Smitty, and he needs to step up his leadership role. Next years team will have much more sized, depth and athleticism than that group.

[Bigsouthking]

So Oldflamer what are you saying...that the 08-09 team will have a better year than 97-98 or not...if they have more size, depth, athlethicism should they have a better record and finish higher than 4th?? Agree Smitty is only senior, but Kyle is a 'old junior' and you left off Baker as well.. I like my comparison, Smitty/Jackson both quiet & talented, Reed/Ohman both emotional and only thrive when they are making shots, Soro/Baker both skilled and play hard and both get banged up...

Jeremy Day/Mcmasters Nic Wright/Sanders Gumbo/Johnny Stephene - more comparisons... Boykin/Anderson....

Funny thing about 97-98 they started 1-10 I think and rebounded to win 11 games total after digging themselves a hole.

(Scar what do you think?)

BTW Oldflamer were you ever in the lockerroom during that era as 'guest speaker'?

[Schfourteenteen]

First, Kyle is "basically a freshman" and Tyler wont make it 3 games before hes out for the year

[olldflame]

OK BSK........Jackson/Smitty and Baker/Soro. You are trying to say these players have similar games? Larry and Anthony both shoot the 3, but I think Larry had like 1 dunk in his career, and he was much more of a ballhandler than Smitty. He was a combo guard as opposed to a swing player. Soro was an undersized inside banger, while Baker is a 6'9 3 point shooter. Probably the best comparison would be Boykin and Anderson, but Boykin was a redshirt Junior at that time, whereas Anderson will be a soph, and he missed almost half his freshman year. I won't get much into making comparisons with incoming freshman cause I've never seen any of them play, but Jeremy Day was a pure back to the basket post player, and all reports are McMasters is not. Reid and Soro were 5th year Seniors and Jackon was a 4 year starter. That team had so much more experience it's not even close, but Jackson and Wright were the only athletic guys on the squad. None of the players at the 3, 4 or 5 could jump over a phone book (OK, maybe Soro on a good day ).

97-98 = 4 grizzled veterens and a couple of frosh. Only really had 8 players (and that is counting Adam Hopkins, who I believe was injured a lot). No athletic inside players.

2008-9 = 1 veteren, 3 with basically 1 year experience and 7 newcomers who have never played a college game. 11 legit D1 players (if newcomers are as advertized). Much more athleticism at the 3,4,5 positions.

I think next year we can finish better than 4th, but young players will have to produce, and Smitty will need to play like a Senior leader. I certainly hope we can finish with a better overall record than 11-17.

Nope, I never had the honor of speaking in the LU locker room.

[Bigsouthking]

Olflame did you coach that team? You know them inside and out.

I understand Smith/Jackson aren't same type players, my comparison was both quiet leaders by example, could score 20-25 on a given night, I think Jackson had 2 dunks in his career. Reed and Ohman both only score about 13-17, Ohman's been thru alot of battles and plays with a seniors confidence... Soro could knock down 3 like Baker, but Baker better shooter, both will bang... Baker had almost double-double in last game he played in. Day was a back to basket player but wasn't tough, RD was too hard on him to be a freshman... Sanders from Texas, so was Wright, both bigger guards.. Gumbo and Johnny small quick guys, that's my comparison there.... hadn't seen the freshman either just heard about them.

One big difference is Mckay more offensive minded, RD was a grind it out play 'D' coach, score in the 40's.... Jackson would have had even better stats under a 'O' minded coach like RMK.

[olldflame]

Thanks for the compliment BSK. I'm no coach, but there was a period of several years when I saw the flames play about 20 times a year. I never missed a home game and usually went to several away games. I did the beach trip several years in a row and always went to Radford, and usually at least a couple of other road games. I take it you had a connection to the team?

On looking again, some of your comparisons are more valid than my initial thought. I would still say that was a MUCH more experienced team, and this one should be deeper and more athletic. If Guys like Che, Boo and Marcus had just done a better job off the court, that could have been an awesome year.

[grm]

... but Jackson and Wright were the only athletic guys on the squad.

Finally! A good word about Nic Wright.

[coolhandluke]

I think we will be suprised with our team next year. Everyone seems to be counting out Tyler, thinking he will just get injured again. If he stays healthy, we will have a solid line up with Smitty, Baker, Ohman, Anderson, and (kind of) Stephene coming back and tons of freshman talent coming in. If atleast 2 or 3 of these recruits pan out and live up to their expectations, we can win the big south.

I think the only way we will not compete for the championship next year is if we are plagued by injuries and none of our recruits pan out. Otherwise I think we are looking good. You can say all you want about playing freshmen, but we have 4 guys who will provide some leadership, not to mention a JUCO transfer and Stephene who was here last year but didn't play. Maybe those two will step up and play like they are upperclassmen.

Bottomline, I think we have a solid line up next year and we will contend for the title.

[coolhandluke]

With McKay's style of quickness with a lot of three point shooting, I think our lineup next year will look something like this...

PG - Either Seth Curry, Jesse Sanders, or Stephene. possibly Floyd.

SG - Either Seth Curry or Jeremy Anderson with Kyle Ohman coming in off the bench.

SF - Smitty, duh! But I think Brolin Floyd will see playing time here as well as possibly at the two guard positions (In high school he played point guard when needed for his team)

PF - Tyler Baker and Sammy Jackson will probably split time here but I think Tyler will start if he is healthy.

C - Carter McMasters and Austin Smith will see most of the minutes at Center.

Don't be supried to see McKay go with a small line up at times and have Smitty and Floyd move up with maybe Tyler playing some Center.

I think having Floyd handle the ball could help solve some of our concerns with our depth at the point guard position. I think between Curry, Sanders, Stephene and Floyd we will be okay. Although that does leave us having all freshmen as our primary ball handlers, which still might concern some people. As long as our new comers pan out, we will have a solid team next year.

[Sly Fox]

Things have gotten much more interesting down low. Wish I could say more and I hope to soon.

[RagingTireFire]

Things have gotten much more interesting down low. Wish I could say more and I hope to soon.

Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaah. Excuse me while I contain my anticipation.

[coolhandluke]

haha, yeah. The inside game will be a problem. We don't have a real inside presence. That scares me. But maybe Carter or Baker will develop an inside game or maybe Sammy Jackson will be the next Charles Barkley. And maybe one of the Smiths can hold it down down low. But that is obviously our big hole on the team next year!

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

Thats why Tommy Cromwell left! Hes going to play center for us!! WHoo hoo!

[ToTheLeft]

Things have gotten much more interesting down low. Wish I could say more and I hope to soon.

Cmon....

[SuperJon]

He gets off on that. Of course he's not telling.

[coolhandluke]

If we get a big man, where are we pulling a scholly from? We don't have any left!

[thepostman]

Things have gotten much more interesting down low. Wish I could say more and I hope to soon.