[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

May 30, 2008
Lynchburg, Va.

Former Liberty men’s basketball standout Peter Aluma joined four other Big South Conference student-athletes for enshrinement into the league’s Hall of Fame Thursday night, during a special ceremony as part of the conference’s annual spring meetings in Hilton Head, S.C.

http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm? ... 17&TeamID=




Congrats to Mr. Aluma!



Ahh the Good ol' days when a Coach knew that he NEEDED A BIG MAN.

[Sly Fox]

I think it is safe to say that if Coach McKay had access to a Peter Aluma he would jump at the opportunity. And JM is most recently famous for his pursuit of a guard from Indy (which coincidentally is RMc's hometown).

Big time congratulations to Peter.

[SuperJon]

I own his shorts.

[prototype]

Aluma? I'm glad that the BSC is giving us some respect, but is he really HOF material?

He averaged around 14 points and 5 rebounds during his career. I think Gabe averaged 15 and 6. I would think Blair would have had a better chance.

Now if were the eating Hall of Fame??

[Fumblerooskies]

I own his shorts.

Shorts? You couldn't carry his jock!

[ToTheLeft]

I own his shorts.

Shorts? You couldn't carry his jock!

Well done.

[paradox]

Aluma? I'm glad that the BSC is giving us some respect, but is he really HOF material?

He averaged around 14 points and 5 rebounds during his career. I think Gabe averaged 15 and 6. I would think Blair would have had a better chance.

Now if were the eating Hall of Fame??

Yea, he belongs. He was a big-time center playing in a small-time league.

The stats don't tell the complete story when you factor in Jason Dixon who shared time with Aluma during Pete's first two years. Dixon was a very solid center in his own right, who nearly averaged a double-double one year. LU averaged a ton of rebounds, blocks, and points in the paint with that combo. Aluma averaged just under 20 points per game, the year after Dixon graduated, and he would have had a lot more rebounds on defense, if his game wasn't so oriented toward shot-blocking.

[Fumblerooskies]

From watching him from the opposing side, he is definitely the most intimidating defensive presence I have seen in my 16 years following the Big South.

[TIMSCAR20]

Aluma also won MVP of the big south Tournament 2 times. He finished in the top 10 in the league in scoring when his career ended as well. Blair certainly belongs but Aluma should be there too with Scarborough coming right after...Wait did I type that out loud?

[flameshaw]

Congrats to Peter, well deserved.

[coolhandluke]

Aluma also won MVP of the big south Tournament 2 times. He finished in the top 10 in the league in scoring when his career ended as well. Blair certainly belongs but Aluma should be there too with Scarborough coming right after...Wait did I type that out loud?

Sorry, Scar, but you are wrong. You, sir, should be inducted into the National basketball hall of fame!

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

Aluma also won MVP of the big south Tournament 2 times. He finished in the top 10 in the league in scoring when his career ended as well. Blair certainly belongs but Aluma should be there too with Scarborough coming right after...Wait did I type that out loud?

Sorry, Scar, but you are wrong. You, sir, should be inducted into the National basketball hall of fame!

And You sir should be inducted into a mental institution.


Sorry Scar.

[ATrain]

Aluma also won MVP of the big south Tournament 2 times. He finished in the top 10 in the league in scoring when his career ended as well. Blair certainly belongs but Aluma should be there too with Scarborough coming right after...Wait did I type that out loud?

Sorry, Scar, but you are wrong. You, sir, should be inducted into the National basketball hall of fame!

Let me know when he is and I'll be sure to journey up to Springfield, Massachusetts for the ceremony.

[prototype]

Scar their is still time. The broadcasting Hall of Fame?!?!?!?!?!?!

I'm not saying Aluma was bad, by no means - he is high on my all time list, BUT I'm just saying that Hall of Fame is the Elite of the Elite. They should be next to impossible to break into. I like Aluma on Defense, but I would take Julius Nwosu on the offensive end - He was a beast!!

[flameshaw]

Scar their is still time. The broadcasting Hall of Fame?!?!?!?!?!?!

I'm not saying Aluma was bad, by no means - he is high on my all time list, BUT I'm just saying that Hall of Fame is the Elite of the Elite. They should be next to impossible to break into. I like Aluma on Defense, but I would take Julius Nwosu on the offensive end - He was a beast!!

Appreciate where you are coming from but I saw most of the games both of these guys played, Aluma wins hands down for me, not really close. Peter was the most effective overall player in the conference his 4 years and was MVP of the tourney as a freshman, and I think he was perfect from the floor (or close to it) in the championship game. We certainly would not have won without him.

It's a shame that he was not challenged by the coaching staff to excel to his fullest capabilities. He was bigger than the coaching staff by the time he left IMHO.

[Cider Jim]

I like Aluma on Defense, but I would take Julius Nwosu on the offensive end - He was a beast!!

I'd to agree with Proto. Peter was a better shot blocker, but I'd have to say Julius was the better all around center.

[olldflame]

I'm with flameshaw on this one, and also saw pretty much the entire career of both players first hand. Julius was a more explosive athlete and a better rebounder, but even that was at least partially because of Peter's single-minded focus on shot blocking, which so often took him away from the defensive boards. I'm not criticizing that, because he was coached to do it. Meyer felt he helped the team more by blocking or altering shots, and our opponents FG % was really low throughout his career. Peter had a better touch around the basket and more and better post moves, somewhat better hands (neither were great in that area, but it was a real weakness for Juice), and of course Peter was a better shot blocker.

I think Aluma sabotaged whatever chances he had for an NBA career when he chose to go home to Nigeria between his Junior and Senior years, and by his own admission, he didn't touch a basketball or work out all summer. I would guess he gained about 20 pounds of body fat, and his game did not improve at all. If he had spent that summer working on his strength and conditioning and playing ball (or better yet going to a big man camp) he could have had a much better Senior year.

[TIMSCAR20]

I'm with flameshaw on this one, and also saw pretty much the entire career of both players first hand. Julius was a more explosive athlete and a better rebounder, but even that was at least partially because of Peter's single-minded focus on shot blocking, which so often took him away from the defensive boards. I'm not criticizing that, because he was coached to do it. Meyer felt he helped the team more by blocking or altering shots, and our opponents FG % was really low throughout his career. Peter had a better touch around the basket and more and better post moves, somewhat better hands (neither were great in that area, but it was a real weakness for Juice), and of course Peter was a better shot blocker.

I think Aluma sabotaged whatever chances he had for an NBA career when he chose to go home to Nigeria between his Junior and Senior years, and by his own admission, he didn't touch a basketball or work out all summer. I would guess he gained about 20 pounds of body fat, and his game did not improve at all. If he had spent that summer working on his strength and conditioning and playing ball (or better yet going to a big man camp) he could have had a much better Senior year.

I agree with the aluma camp. Old Flame I remember that summer well. It was the same summer I got down to 210! Me and Jason Allison were working out all summer and in fact we were working way harder than our would be NBA teammate (ok I wasn't playing then). Here is a funny story my nephew Jonathan likes to tell about me and Aluma that summer....I was up in MD at Jonathan's apt (he is only a few years younger than me btw). Jon got a call on his phone and it was Aluma. He asked to speak to coach SCAR. Jon gave me the phone and I talked with Peter who was at Dulles Airport. He wanted me to pick him up on my way back to Lynchburg. Well Jon and I had stayed up all night playing video games and I was tired. I told Aluma "I'll be Right There" and hung up. The next words out of my mouth is why Jon loves the story..."As soon as I finish getting some ZZZZ's!" And I went right to sleep for 2 hours. Aluma didn't seem to mind that it took me 3 hours to get there though. When we were together that summer I noticed Aluma wasn't really motivated to work out. In fact I was getting up and running in the morning and I remember Pete not wanting to run with me. I really think he was just burned out. Flameshaw thanks for indicting the coaching staff that I was on too buddy

[flameshaw]

I'm with flameshaw on this one, and also saw pretty much the entire career of both players first hand. Julius was a more explosive athlete and a better rebounder, but even that was at least partially because of Peter's single-minded focus on shot blocking, which so often took him away from the defensive boards. I'm not criticizing that, because he was coached to do it. Meyer felt he helped the team more by blocking or altering shots, and our opponents FG % was really low throughout his career. Peter had a better touch around the basket and more and better post moves, somewhat better hands (neither were great in that area, but it was a real weakness for Juice), and of course Peter was a better shot blocker.

I think Aluma sabotaged whatever chances he had for an NBA career when he chose to go home to Nigeria between his Junior and Senior years, and by his own admission, he didn't touch a basketball or work out all summer. I would guess he gained about 20 pounds of body fat, and his game did not improve at all. If he had spent that summer working on his strength and conditioning and playing ball (or better yet going to a big man camp) he could have had a much better Senior year.

I agree with the aluma camp. Old Flame I remember that summer well. It was the same summer I got down to 210! Me and Jason Allison were working out all summer and in fact we were working way harder than our would be NBA teammate (ok I wasn't playing then). Here is a funny story my nephew Jonathan likes to tell about me and Aluma that summer....I was up in MD at Jonathan's apt (he is only a few years younger than me btw). Jon got a call on his phone and it was Aluma. He asked to speak to coach SCAR. Jon gave me the phone and I talked with Peter who was at Dulles Airport. He wanted me to pick him up on my way back to Lynchburg. Well Jon and I had stayed up all night playing video games and I was tired. I told Aluma "I'll be Right There" and hung up. The next words out of my mouth is why Jon loves the story..."As soon as I finish getting some ZZZZ's!" And I went right to sleep for 2 hours. Aluma didn't seem to mind that it took me 3 hours to get there though. When we were together that summer I noticed Aluma wasn't really motivated to work out. In fact I was getting up and running in the morning and I remember Pete not wanting to run with me. I really think he was just burned out. Flameshaw thanks for indicting the coaching staff that I was on too buddy

Scar, didn't know you were on the staff then. I am gald you were however so you can shed some light on my thoughts regarding Peter's motivation. Being pretty close to him personally, it appeared that he was so popular around the school, etc. that he was not concerned about getting better, and it reflected on the coaching staff. For what it is worth some of the athletic staff expressed that to me, but you were much closer to it.

All that being said, I think Peter made much more progress in his freshman year than his next three years combined. Would appreciate your thoughts. Many times things seem different from the outside than actual reality. Thanks!!1

[thepostman]

I own his shorts.

you know whats funny is how short they are on him and how long they are on you...i don't know why thats funny...but it just is

[olldflame]

I know your question was directed toward SCAR flameshaw, and I am interested in his response as well, but I'll chime in with my .02 worth. Peter arrived as a gangly kid, who was easily pushed around under the basket, and IMHO at times seemed totally lost on the court. Contrast this with Jason Dixon, who was also new, but coming from 2 years of solid JUCO ball under coach Davis at Eastern Wyoming was much more prepared and made an instant impact. The one thing that stuck out immediatly with Peter was his extraordinary reach and his potential to be a disruptive influence on defense. He showed dramatic improvement throughout the year, had a great game off the bench at UVA, where he really opened some eyes. Of course the year was culminated with his MVP performance in the BSC tourney.


IMHO he showed further improvement in his Sophomore year, and his best game ever may have been at the Vines against JMU when he absolutely dominated their highly regarded 6'9 post player. Quite frankly, I don't think he got any better after his Sophomore year. He gained too much bad weight (body fat), and did not improve on his skills that much. Being so wide was something he used to advantage offensively, but the quickness lost hurt him defensively.

I know this all sounds kindof negative after saying he was the best big man we've had and belongs in the BSC HOF. I truly believe those things are true, it's just that with a different mind set and work ethic, I believe he could have been much better.

[prototype]

Who's next - Jennings? Curry? Volleyball player?

[jcmanson]

Feenstra will definitely make it as will McDougal as well.

[Cider Jim]

Did anybody click on Aluma's current pic in the link above? He makes Eric Green look like Medic.

[olldflame]

Did anybody click on Aluma's current pic in the link above? He makes Eric Green look like Medic.

WOW!!!! Peter, eat a salad now and then! He's gotta be 3 bills minimum there.

Does anyone else think it rather bizarre that they interviewed McKay, who apparently has never even met Peter, and certainly never saw him play? Poor Richie is basically having to give second and third hand accounts and say how impressed he was talking to Peter on the phone. There ARE still people around campus who actually knew him and saw him play!