[thepostman]

haha...get over it man...it happens...it means little right now...he has 3 years left where he'll get 1st team...

[jcmanson]

The bottom line is LU was only going to get one player on the first team. Is that right or wrong? That's debatable, but that's how it was going to be, and they decided Smitty deserved it more. And personally, I'm glad Smitty was the one they chose.

[olldflame]

I think we should keep in mind that these selections are not made by a comittee. It's just a tabulation of votes by coaches and writers, and I doubt if there is much "collusion". If there is, apparently Lang isn't part of that club, because he seemed as surprised as the rest of us that Seth was out and dash-man was in.

[Chris Lang]

It's a vote of selected league media (two outlets per school) and the league coaches.

Lynch-Flohr is the peg that doesn't fit. Ranked 17th in the league in scoring, 14th in rebounding. Only was in the top five in one category (field-goal percentage).

He's not a first-team player. And I don't care how many Radford people I tick off with that statement. It's reality.

[kingaling42]

I just came by here to make sure everyone was still ok.. Evidently the sky is falling right now & you've been robbed somehow, I'll check back later to see if "Baby Jesus" & his athletic supporters are gonna be ok...

This doesn't mean I disagree that Joey L-F has no business on the 1st team- it's just that you guys are undercutting Anthony Smith value to your team for Seth to be First team- I couldn't disagree more with that.. Seth's just too 1 dimensional (scorer) for that consideration right now- anyone can lead the league in scoring with the green light he gets & the amount of shots he puts up- I haven't really seen Seth make anyone on your team better all year.. Seth may be a better player- but is he better for your team?? I don't believe so..

In my own mind I am somewhat of a legend, but I don't think I could lead the league regardless of the shots I took.

"... with the green light he gets & the amount of shots he puts up"- when you highlight half the sentence you leave out the context in which my comment was made.. Remember if these awards were about points alone then most of VMI's team would deserve to be up for honors... It's not about points scored but all-around play & subsequent votes- It's apparent that I'm not alone in thinking that Seth doesn't make his teammates any better right now- he has some learning to do & some other game to work on... I think we can agree however that he'll be up for First team honors the rest of his career..

The biggest joke is that J L-F made the First team- there are other's including Seth that were clearly better although I personally see Seth as a Second team guy this year.. BTW- Reid wasn't a First team guy either so I'm not going there..

[olldflame]

It's a vote of selected league media (two outlets per school) and the league coaches.

Lynch-Flohr is the peg that doesn't fit. Ranked 17th in the league in scoring, 14th in rebounding. Only was in the top five in one category (field-goal percentage).

He's not a first-team player. And I don't care how many Radford people I tick off with that statement. It's reality.

I couldn't agree more about Lynch-Flor. Quite frankly, it's baffling. He's a very good player who did not have a very good year. He deserved to be pre-season all conference because he was the best returning big man in the league. What we had no way of knowing was that Parakhauski would be as good as he is, and totally dominate in the paint, greatly reducing JL-F's production. There is absolutely no way of justifying him on the first team.

[jinxy]

JLF's best days are behind him. Art has stolen his thunder and will be the focal point in the offense next year. The two of them really dont play that well together on the floor , atleast not in the 4 or 5 games I saw. He is more prone to getting in foul trouble and doesnt have the all around game that Art has. I'm not sure I would have even put him on the second team this year

[olldflame]

JLF's best days are behind him. Art has stolen his thunder and will be the focal point in the offense next year. The two of them really dont play that well together on the floor , atleast not in the 4 or 5 games I saw. He is more prone to getting in foul trouble and doesnt have the all around game that Art has. I'm not sure I would have even put him on the second team this year

It's up to him. Until this year, he was always a back to the basket post player. Suddenly that role is more than filled by a player who is just plain better than he is. If he works his butt off in the off season to develop more of a game facing the basket, he could be a prototypical power forward. Otherwise, you could be right.

[GoUNCA]

There is an institutional jealousy/disdain toward Liberty that has been exhibited by our fellow conference members since we joined the league. Most believe it is due to political/religious differences with our school and founder. To deny these points is to deny reality.

"Our founder says things that are prejudiced on a level that is unimaginable and we back him up and no one likes us because of it. "

Oh, come on. You lay in the bed you make, my friends.

Curry is a decent player who takes a lot of shots and doesn't really make anyone else look good (For examples see games that Jesse Sanders didn't play in). He'll have his chances at first team next year.

[LUconn]

Did you google his name all by yourself or did MSNBC tell you all about mean old Mr. Falwell.

At least your statement admits there is a skew.

[flamesbball84]

There is an institutional jealousy/disdain toward Liberty that has been exhibited by our fellow conference members since we joined the league. Most believe it is due to political/religious differences with our school and founder. To deny these points is to deny reality.

"Our founder says things that are prejudiced on a level that is unimaginable and we back him up and no one likes us because of it. "

Oh, come on. You lay in the bed you make, my friends.

Curry is a decent player who takes a lot of shots and doesn't really make anyone else look good (For examples see games that Jesse Sanders didn't play in). He'll have his chances at first team next year.

Curry is a decent player is a bit of an understatement. Most players don't have the ability to make others better, not even in the NBA...

[GoUNCA]

Did you google his name all by yourself or did MSNBC tell you all about mean old Mr. Falwell.

Nope, Jerry spoke for himself when I went to an event back in the day. *gasp* Yeah, I'm a Christian, but there is a much better way than what was pointed out by Jerry.

MSNBC is just as bad one way as FoxNews is the other. I'd advise against either.

In other basketball news, the NBA isn't any good because players don't make each other better. We've known that for a quite some time. I stand by my implying that Sanders is a better player, but I've been saying this all season.

Good luck against Gardner-Webb.

[Sly Fox]

There is an institutional jealousy/disdain toward Liberty that has been exhibited by our fellow conference members since we joined the league. Most believe it is due to political/religious differences with our school and founder. To deny these points is to deny reality.

"Our founder says things that are prejudiced on a level that is unimaginable and we back him up and no one likes us because of it. "

Oh, come on. You lay in the bed you make, my friends.

Curry is a decent player who takes a lot of shots and doesn't really make anyone else look good (For examples see games that Jesse Sanders didn't play in). He'll have his chances at first team next year.

You just proved my point.

Gracias

[Sly Fox]

By Chris Lang
Sports writer
Published: March 2, 2009

There was some surprising news in regards to Liberty freshman Seth Curry Monday, and some not-so-surprising news.
First, the latter: Curry was named the Big South Freshman of the Year, not surprising considering he was the top freshman scorer in the nation in Division I basketball, scored more points than anyone in the Big South this season, set the league’s freshman scoring record and just finished the 10th best single scoring season in conference history.
Now the former: Curry wasn’t voted first-team all-conference, which is somewhat astounding considering all the facts presented above.
“I’m obviously biased, but Seth Curry, not only is he a first-team all-conference player in my mind, he’d be player of the year material if we had done a little better,” Liberty coach Ritchie McKay said.

Click Here for Full Story

[Champion]

There is an institutional jealousy/disdain toward Liberty that has been exhibited by our fellow conference members since we joined the league. Most believe it is due to political/religious differences with our school and founder. To deny these points is to deny reality.

"Our founder says things that are prejudiced on a level that is unimaginable and we back him up and no one likes us because of it. "

Oh, come on. You lay in the bed you make, my friends.

Curry is a decent player who takes a lot of shots and doesn't really make anyone else look good (For examples see games that Jesse Sanders didn't play in). He'll have his chances at first team next year.

Interesting thought, however; the Big South has sent a message that it is simply a joke. There is not another conference in the country where the nations leading freshman scorer would not make the first team. Regardless of what our friends from other schools want to say or believe....Curry has become the featured player in the BS. Lynch-Flohr or Art haven't garnered the national exposure for the conference that Curry has. I notice the conference is more than happy to ride that wave as long as it benefits them. This came down to the coaches vote and they proved they couldn't care less about who deserved the honor....it was who they wanted to give the honor too. Also, this isn't about next year. Yes, Curry took a lot of shots, as did Holmes of VMI. Curry played in four more games than Holmes. Using the logic many are throwing up about the number of shots he took then the argument should be made that Holmes shouldn't be on the first team either. The fact of the matter is that the other coaches in the big south will design their whole defense around stopping Curry, but then turn around and say that he isn't a factor in their first team selections. An absolutey ridiculous and embaressing situation. Welcome to the Big South Conference. And in response to the above post, the BS player of the year was big guy from Radford who scored a lot of points, but didn't make anyone else look good.

[Rooster Cogburn]

By Chris Lang
Sports writer
Published: March 2, 2009

There was some surprising news in regards to Liberty freshman Seth Curry Monday, and some not-so-surprising news.
First, the latter: Curry was named the Big South Freshman of the Year, not surprising considering he was the top freshman scorer in the nation in Division I basketball, scored more points than anyone in the Big South this season, set the league’s freshman scoring record and just finished the 10th best single scoring season in conference history.
Now the former: Curry wasn’t voted first-team all-conference, which is somewhat astounding considering all the facts presented above.
“I’m obviously biased, but Seth Curry, not only is he a first-team all-conference player in my mind, he’d be player of the year material if we had done a little better,” Liberty coach Ritchie McKay said.

Click Here for Full Story

Well written Chris!

[Ed Dantes]

Ouch, the #3 seed is 1-6 at home? Puke!

[horrez]

I feel your pain, Sly Fox. You see, there is also an institutional jealousy/disdain toward Winthrop that has been exhibited by our fellow conference members since we started winning. Most believe it is due to Gregg Marshall or our fans. To deny these points is to deny reality.

Honestly, I don't think the people voting on this stuff have some sort of deep hatred toward Liberty. Look at the '98-99 season... LU had 0 Big South wins and only 4 wins overall, yet they got 1 player on the All-Conference First-Team, 1 on the Second-Team, and 2 on the All-Rookie Team. If ever there was a year for the mean ol' Big South to stick it to Liberty and withhold awards that would have been the perfect year.

Now, if you want to say that the voters have something against freshmen then you might be on to something. Before this year, only 4 Rookie/Freshman of the Year winners made the first or second all-conference team. Tony Dunkin (the only to make First-Team), Kennedy Okafor, Andre Smith, & Larry Blair. Even the Golden Child Jack Leasure didn't make the first or second team his freshman year.

One could also make the argument that the voters only care about offense (you can't be one of the 10 best players in the conference if you don't score a lot of points). Think I'm wrong? Look at how many Defensive POY have made the all-conference team. This is the 4th year they've given this award. Of the four players who have won it, only one (Kenny George) made an all-conference team (second-team).

All in all I could care less about these awards. If a Winthrop guys gets one, I'm happy for him. If not, oh well. Part of it, is I'm not sure what the voters look at. Is it overall stats or just stats from conference games? Do they look at the 'system' a team runs? Do they vote with their gut or strictly by stats? If by stats, which stats (all, percentages, offense, defense, rebounds...)? Do they vote for the 'big name' or against the 'big name'? Do they care about where a team ended up in the standings? Who knows? I'd be willing to bet that it's different for each voter. And since they all can't be as smart as me, I've decided not to worry about it.

[olldflame]

Ouch, the #3 seed is 1-6 at home? Puke!

That's right up there with the best of them on a list of meaningless statistics. Different years, different teams, different venues. I suppose you could theorize that there is a lot of parity in the middle seeds and the home team is under greater pressure, but really there's not a single concrete reason you can point to for it. It's a total anomoly.

[Chris Lang]

Horrez brings up another good point here ... most of the media voters, print anyway, only saw nine league games, if that. As far as I know, only Gary McCann from the Rock Hill wrap saw every conference game the team he covers played. I saw 14 out of 18. If one player has a ridiculous game the one time you get to see him, your vision of that player is going to be skewed. Parakhouski is a perfect example. He killed Liberty twice. Of course he looks like the player of the year to me. If I had seen him against High Point, when he went 5 for 20 from the floor in two games, I might feel different.

Not saying Art didn't deserve it. He was THE difference maker in the league this year for the conference's best team. I think the litmus test for all-conference first team is simple. As an opposing coach, you'd look at four players on that first team and say, 'wow, we can't let THAT guy beat us.' Think anyone says that about Lynch-Flohr?

[kingaling42]

There is an institutional jealousy/disdain toward Liberty that has been exhibited by our fellow conference members since we joined the league. Most believe it is due to political/religious differences with our school and founder. To deny these points is to deny reality.

"Our founder says things that are prejudiced on a level that is unimaginable and we back him up and no one likes us because of it. "

Oh, come on. You lay in the bed you make, my friends.

Curry is a decent player who takes a lot of shots and doesn't really make anyone else look good (For examples see games that Jesse Sanders didn't play in). He'll have his chances at first team next year.

Interesting thought, however; the Big South has sent a message that it is simply a joke. There is not another conference in the country where the nations leading freshman scorer would not make the first team. Regardless of what our friends from other schools want to say or believe....Curry has become the featured player in the BS. Lynch-Flohr or Art haven't garnered the national exposure for the conference that Curry has. I notice the conference is more than happy to ride that wave as long as it benefits them. This came down to the coaches vote and they proved they couldn't care less about who deserved the honor....it was who they wanted to give the honor too. Also, this isn't about next year. Yes, Curry took a lot of shots, as did Holmes of VMI. Curry played in four more games than Holmes. Using the logic many are throwing up about the number of shots he took then the argument should be made that Holmes shouldn't be on the first team either. The fact of the matter is that the other coaches in the big south will design their whole defense around stopping Curry, but then turn around and say that he isn't a factor in their first team selections. An absolutey ridiculous and embaressing situation. Welcome to the Big South Conference. And in response to the above post, the BS player of the year was big guy from Radford who scored a lot of points, but didn't make anyone else look good.

The big guy from Radford also averaged a double-double, when someone else in the league does that & doesn't make the First Team (Harris also averaged double-double) then you can talk about him- he was clearly the player of the year this year..

Seth is getting a bunch of attention, but how much of that is from what he has actually done himself??

The first game of the year on ESPN- THEY HYPED HIM UP ONLY BECAUSE OF HIS BROTHER.. you ALL know that, because what had he done to that point?? Yes he has become a pretty good player & can score points which attracts defensive attention- Kenny George changed the defensive patterns of coaches last year too, do you see teams having to put 3 guys on Seth on out of bounds plays??NO... That didn't make Kenny a First Team pick either & appropriately so.. The Curry machine of hype is media driven, period!!! Stephen made some big shots in the tourney last year & garnered the attention that Seth benefits from.. Seth has certainly now earned some attention but it was thrust upon him for no reason early this season.. Besides JP handled Seth in that first game on national TV- you didn't see JP appointed as the next born star- Stephen brought Seth the attention.. It will be interesting to see how the attention fades even from Seth as Stephen graduates, but that will be the next great conspiracy from the LU haters right??

[Kolzilla41]

"Our founder says things that are prejudiced on a level that is unimaginable and we back him up and no one likes us because of it. "

Oh, come on. You lay in the bed you make, my friends.

Curry is a decent player who takes a lot of shots and doesn't really make anyone else look good (For examples see games that Jesse Sanders didn't play in). He'll have his chances at first team next year.

Interesting thought, however; the Big South has sent a message that it is simply a joke. There is not another conference in the country where the nations leading freshman scorer would not make the first team. Regardless of what our friends from other schools want to say or believe....Curry has become the featured player in the BS. Lynch-Flohr or Art haven't garnered the national exposure for the conference that Curry has. I notice the conference is more than happy to ride that wave as long as it benefits them. This came down to the coaches vote and they proved they couldn't care less about who deserved the honor....it was who they wanted to give the honor too. Also, this isn't about next year. Yes, Curry took a lot of shots, as did Holmes of VMI. Curry played in four more games than Holmes. Using the logic many are throwing up about the number of shots he took then the argument should be made that Holmes shouldn't be on the first team either. The fact of the matter is that the other coaches in the big south will design their whole defense around stopping Curry, but then turn around and say that he isn't a factor in their first team selections. An absolutey ridiculous and embaressing situation. Welcome to the Big South Conference. And in response to the above post, the BS player of the year was big guy from Radford who scored a lot of points, but didn't make anyone else look good.

The big guy from Radford also averaged a double-double, when someone else in the league does that & doesn't make the First Team (Harris also averaged double-double) then you can talk about him- he was clearly the player of the year this year..

Seth is getting a bunch of attention, but how much of that is from what he has actually done himself??

The first game of the year on ESPN- THEY HYPED HIM UP ONLY BECAUSE OF HIS BROTHER.. you ALL know that, because what had he done to that point?? Yes he has become a pretty good player & can score points which attracts defensive attention- Kenny George changed the defensive patterns of coaches last year too, do you see teams having to put 3 guys on Seth on out of bounds plays??NO... That didn't make Kenny a First Team pick either & appropriately so.. The Curry machine of hype is media driven, period!!! Stephen made some big shots in the tourney last year & garnered the attention that Seth benefits from.. Seth has certainly now earned some attention but it was thrust upon him for no reason early this season.. Besides JP handled Seth in that first game on national TV- you didn't see JP appointed as the next born star- Stephen brought Seth the attention.. It will be interesting to see how the attention fades even from Seth as Stephen graduates, but that will be the next great conspiracy from the LU haters right??

Dude, he leads the nation in scoring avg. for Freshmen and also is the only Freshmen in the top 50 for scoring. What is not impressive about that?

[olldflame]

You're right about opinions being skewed if you haven't followed the player throughout the season Chris. I have to admit I it surprises me to see that Parakhauski only averaged 16 ppg because of what he did against us.

kingaling,

I don't think you have read one word on here about Parakhouski not deserving every bit of recognition he got. (How hypocritical would that be after the way he dominated us?) The issue is with the selection of Lynch-Flohr, who had a sub-par year and yet made the first team instead of Curry, Augst or Coleman who were all more deserving. Others may differ, but I personally would have had little problem with Seth being omitted if someone more deserving than JL-F were the one who made it.

[ToTheLeft]

The UNCHey! guys just love to hate on "Larry Blair Jr."

Seth doesn't make his team better, which is why he's only one rebound a game less JLF, and all the while dishing out assists and getting steals...

It's kind tough to run an offense when you're being held and double teamed all game long. But you just look at the number of shots he takes and discredit him from everything else. Sounds like a good plan.

[ToTheLeft]

Not to mention... if everyone on the team was meant to make everyone else better, who would score? Who would take over in clutch situations?

Seth is the guy that other players help make better.