[paradox]

Just thought I'd point out that the last time we had a couple of freshman playing significant roles, we got off to an extremely rough start: 2-10 against D-1 competition, and we lost by huge margains. However, we finished winning 15 of our final 19, and ended up in the NCAAs that year.

The great Larry Blair averaged a mere 5.3 pts per game, with an abysmal 23% shooting percentage during his first six D-1 games. Apparently, someone on the coaching staff thought that the kid still had talent, otherwise he would have been shelved. He finally broke out with 23pts against Iowa State, while playing in his 8th D-1 game

Dees started off a little better, averaging just under 7, but didn't reach 10pts until his 6th D-1 game. His breakout game was his 10th D-1 game, versus Arizona (18 points).



In their fourth D-1 game, they played against Duke, which was nationally televised on ESPN-2. Blair had 5pts and Dees had 2pts.

The TV thing is way overrated as far as I'm concerned. In fact, there are several people out there who feel strongly that Dees' 22pts on national TV against SJU was the begining of the freshman's downfall as a team player. I don't know if it was a factor or not. However, I think that we can all agree that success always goes down a little better when you're mature enough to handle it.

I'm looking forward to seeing how things develop and watching these guys grow.

[thepostman]

good stuff...it just goes to prove anything can happen with this group of guys...I thought that that year RD was at his best, it seemed from that year on there were a lot of other things going on distracting the team and possibly dunton...he was a good coach though, there is no doubting that....

McKay has shown he is a solid coach as well, and with these freshmen we must give them time to adjust to D1 ball...it will be a rocky ride I am sure...but 4 years from now I am pretty sure we'll see a lot of good thing!

[olldflame]

I respect RMK for his willingness to go out on a limb and bring in so many Freshmen in one year, knowing full well there would be days like last Tuesday. Our past reliance on transfers and JUCO players for a quick fix has hurt us in the long run. We hit the jackpot with Martin and Mantlo, but then instead of biting the bullet and rebuilding with youth, we kept dipping into the same barrell. Some of those transfers were total duds, and some were terrific players, but we only had the good ones for a year or 2, and you really can't build a program like that.

[WWJFD]

but i wonder how many of this freshmen class stay all 4 years. i remember a uva squad with jason clark, keith jenifer, elton brown, and jermaine harper...may have been one more that is slipping my mind. big things were expected out of them... harper and jenifer transferred, clark flunked out twice, and brown flopped after hitting a couple of 3's his freshmen year and doing the alligatior chop.

[LUconn]

Great post by dox. Which is surprising. However, it's normally safe to assume that in a class this big, someone will wind up transferring when they find they are in a logjam for PT. In fact, if somebody didn't leave the program, we'd be in this same tough spot again in 4 years.

[paradox]

BTW, Ashville appaentlly came down from their Tuesday afternoon high, and got walloped 94-57 by Campbell.

[Fumblerooskies]

BTW, Ashville appaentlly came down from their Tuesday afternoon high, and got walloped 94-57 by Campbell.

OUCH!

I would have thought the Bulldogs would have been able to get over the hump in that one.

[paradox]

Great post by dox. Which is surprising. However, it's normally safe to assume that in a class this big, someone will wind up transferring when they find they are in a logjam for PT. In fact, if somebody didn't leave the program, we'd be in this same tough spot again in 4 years.

I agree regarding eventual transfers. However, I was trying to make a point to those who seem inclined, or will at some point be inclined, to throw this team and its coach under the bus.

I think that most reasonable people can agree that we need to be patient and let things develop.

[olldflame]

Impossible to know for sure, but it certainly appears this class was picked for retention as well as talent. It seems they all are the type kids who can really buy into the total LU experience.

[HenryGale]

BTW, Ashville appaentlly came down from their Tuesday afternoon high, and got walloped 94-57 by Campbell.

OUCH!

I would have thought the Bulldogs would have been able to get over the hump in that one.

That is BAD!

[whmatthews]

We also had some great senior leadership on that team, which we may lack this year.

[TIMSCAR20]

We also had some great senior leadership on that team, which we may lack this year.

So true. I agree with Dox about the freshmen in 2003-04. Dees had no confidence and Blair was simply struggling. I spent a lot of time with that team back then and they did have an amazing turn around. Louvon Sneed practiced and played every game like it was his last. Mantlo was a terrific leader IMO. Will is right though, the leadership on that team allowed those 2 freshmen to develop at their own pace. This year's group doesn't really have that luxury. I think we all just need to be patient. Yes we were all embarrassed by Tuesday but no one was more embarrassed than the coach and the players believe me. I expect them to bounce back and play well soon. However it will be an up and down year because Freshmen are unpredictable. I personally do wish Liberty had more interior scoring but I think they can get that from the guys they have in the program now. Floyd and Smith are 2 guys that I know will be able to score with their back to the basket. But I am not going to Monday Morning QB this team to death. I am going to give coach McKay a chance to develop his team. Of course I am pulling for them with all of fibers of my being. I want them to do well soon.

[Schfourteenteen]

My two thoughts on this:

1) It shows we cant be bashing on RMc 2 games into the season. Its too early, please

2) It shouldnt dismiss every one of the concerns here. Coaching philosophy, inability to creat points down low, and Brolin not banging down low are all points that have nothing to do with the players begin freshman

[paradox]

It's too early for any kind of analysis, including coaching philosophy, ect.