[olldflame]

This loss would have been a bit less frustrating if we had rallied from 17 down and just fallen short. Because we actually took the lead and then let it slip away, it hurts a little more, but I'm not sure it should. I think we expended a huge amount of emotional and physical energy in that comeback, and just didn't have the maturity to secure it. I also think UNCW got lucky. The 3 that tied the game was BANKED in. Nobody has done that on purpose since Sam Jones retired from the Celtics. He missed badly and got lucky. I think it was a game we can learn a lot from.

[Cider Jim]

Olldflame, I listened to the post-game show, and Coach Layer seemed generally pleased with our team's performance in the second half, but the wheels just sort of fell off in OT (14% shooting percentage). And he kind of joked about the banked shot, too, saying that's the kind of 22-23 footer that he wants them to shoot, because seldom will a team make a contested shot like that.

Looking at the boxscore, Burrus played most of his minutes at the 5, with Sommy, Carter, and JVP only getting single digit PT. In 33 minutes, Burrus led the team in scoring with 16 points and hauled down 8 rebounds.

If Burrus can keep up that point production, I really like this lineup:

1-Jesse
2-Gordon
3-Minaya
4-Brown
5-Burrus

[ALAFlamesFan]

Shooting:
Jesse Sanders 1 for 10
Evan Gordon 3 for 12

When the two guys you count on most for points shoot that poorly and you still have a chance to win it bodes well for later in the season. Those two will find their way and when they do we will win some games in conference.

I like the way this team competes.

[olldflame]

I was thinking the same thing ALA. Evan and Jesse are off to an awful start shooting the ball, but long term I have to believe our backcourt is possibly our biggest strength. The fact that JB and Minaya have been so productive, and now Antwan, makes me really optomistic.

[jcmanson]

Even in a loss, playing this competitively with a CAA team is positive.

I disagree. This Wilmington team is weak. We will never overcome the "lowly Big South" until we actually win on the court/field. Tired of closs losses and them being considered positive.

[From the class of 09]

Even in a loss, playing this competitively with a CAA team is positive.

I disagree. This Wilmington team is weak. We will never overcome the "lowly Big South" until we actually win on the court/field. Tired of closs losses and them being considered positive.

It was a game we should have won but after listening to the first half few would have guessed that the game would go into OT. We need to win these games but it isn't nearly as big a deal as it would be in FB (loosing to a CAA) simply because of the number of games. I feel your frustration but you got to move on and take what you can from every game.

[TDDance234]

Even in a loss, playing this competitively with a CAA team is positive.

I disagree. This Wilmington team is weak. We will never overcome the "lowly Big South" until we actually win on the court/field. Tired of closs losses and them being considered positive.

The reality is we're a team that has had a lot of moving pieces over the past few years. Competing with lower level CAA teams is probably where we are right now.

We're depending on a lot of youth -- there are going to be games like this.

[LUconn]

yeah I think you guys are forgetting the mantra of our level of basketball. Win the conference tournament and everything else is gravy. We should have won that game, but the goal for this year is to win the conference tournament. We can worry about RPI and such after a few years of success.

[olldflame]

UNCW was bad last year. I think it's too early to say if they will be any better this year or not. There were some definate plusses in this game despite the loss.

Antwan hadn't had a very good first 2 games or pre-season, and it really looks like he recaptured his mojo. Jeremy found his shot, and it's looking more and more like Minaya is ready to contribute game in and game out.

[Chippy]

I think it's great that we have scoring options - Evan, David, and JB. Any contributions from the post and/or point guard will only help us in the long run. Our intensity and defense will keep us competitive most of the year. We will live and die by the accuracy of the offense. Evan has had 2 games in a row where his shot was off. He'll find it and will be good.

[prototype]

Someone already said it. We need consistency and experience... The is a reason your good mid-level programs don't play many freshman - it takes time to get up to speed on this level and we need to grow a program, not create one overnight. We need to ride out a few years and hopefully these players will play with a lot more confidence.

Here's my one question - We are young, BUT do we have enough talent to be great in a few years? Do we have good enough talent in our system that have the potential to be great? Here's my opinion of the players and outlook -

Can be great with more time and experience -
1) Evan Gordon
2) Jesse Sanders
3) JC Sanders

Could be great if we had more time or the show tremendous improvement -
1) John Brown
2) Antwan Burrus

Not sure if these guys will ever be top level talent -
1) Jeremy Anderson
2) Stephen Baird
3) Carter McMasters
4) David Minaya
5) Sommy Ogukwe
6) Chene Phillips
7) James Spencer
JOEL VANDER POL
9) Asaad Woods

And we are locked in now - 6 Freshmen, 3 Sophomores, 4 Juniors and only 1 Senior.

[jcmanson]

And we are locked in now - 6 Freshmen, 3 Sophomores, 4 Juniors and only 1 Senior.

I agree with what you're saying, but we're not locked in. Haven't you learned anything the last 2-3 years?

We have one kid signed, and at least one other verbal.

[prototype]

And we are locked in now - 6 Freshmen, 3 Sophomores, 4 Juniors and only 1 Senior.

I agree with what you're saying, but we're not locked in. Haven't you learned anything the last 2-3 years?

We have one kid signed, and at least one other verbal.

I know - that's the point!! We need to stop having all this turnover. We will never dominate like Winthrop did, without some consistency in staff, players and support. Do we have enough to just buckle down and make a go with it as we are? Is Layer thinking a long term strategy or win now? As much as I want some better talent - should we just be willing to bring in one new guy next year and 4 the year after?

[jcmanson]

The one senior we have on the roster isn't on scholarship. So, someone's losing their scholly. At least one, and maybe more.

[TDDance234]

The good news is that this years Big South isn't very big. We can win w/ playing Minaya at the 3 and Brown at the 4.

IF, a big IF, it all clicks and Jeremy returns to his freshman level of efficiency and John Caleb continues to develop, we can be a dangerous team in the Big South. There are a lot of things that have to come together.

[From the class of 09]

As proto said we need consistency and that starts with the staff. It will be interesting to see the how we do when the seniors of our team have had the same coach for 4 years. We aren't going to recruit the all-star freshman so we have to be able to develop talent we will but this is definitely not an overnight thing.

[olldflame]

The volume of turnover the last couple of years has been a bit much, but personally I have no problem while we are building if one or two a year decide to move on. It presents an opportunity to upgrade. The big difference between this year and last is that it looks like on a whole the new guys coming in are more talented than the ones who left.

[jcmanson]

The volume of turnover the last couple of years has been a bit much, but personally I have no problem while we are building if one or two a year decide to move on. It presents an opportunity to upgrade. The big difference between this year and last is that it looks like on a whole the new guys coming in are more talented than the ones who left.

I'm not sure about that, yet.

Konan - Ogukwe > don't know yet
Perez – JC Sanders > I'd take JC
Stephene – Chene Phillips > I'd take Chene only because he's got 2 more years of eligibility
Weaver - Woods > Weaver

So that's 2 this year, 1 last year, and 1 undecided.

[ToTheLeft]

But Brown > Weaver.

[jcmanson]

But Brown > Weaver.

No, it's more like:

Brown = Baker

[From the class of 09]

But Brown > Weaver.

No, it's more like:

Brown = Baker

hahahahahhahaha

[olldflame]

You are comparing the wrong players.

Sommy isn't taking Konan's role, he is competing for time in the post with Antwan

Antwan + Sommy + Carter & JVP > Just Antwan + Carter + JVP

Brown >>>>>>>>>> Konan

Chene > Stephene Are you kidding me with the "only because he has more eligibility" business? Johnny couldn't get on the court.

JC > Perez???? I think he will be. I liked Perez better than most

Who cares if Weaver is better than Woods? Neither play.

[prototype]

If it wasn't for his injuries - Baker would have been a special player here. That's the gambles I would rather take. Baker was good coming in and if he would have stayed healthy - he would have been a big contributor. Not sure i can say the same for a good amount of these players.

[Cider Jim]

Baker =
And we had NOBODY last year (who left or returned) who can rebound like Brown.

[From the class of 09]

If it wasn't for his injuries - Baker would have been a special player here. That's the gambles I would rather take. Baker was good coming in and if he would have stayed healthy - he would have been a big contributor. Not sure i can say the same for a good amount of these players.

Baker could have been good if he stayed healthy big if...its like saying if HTSNBN stayed he would be a big contributor.