[Cider Jim]

9-point loss to a Big East school = moral victory.

[Liberty22]

Thank God for moral victories, without them we would be winless

[NotAJerry]

Coronado blows... hes flailing around out there

Wow. Yeah, a JUCO kid in the Big South, playing his 3rd game after not getting to practice enough to be in game shape due to some eligibility stuff, got 13 rebounds against a good Big East team but really he was just flailing around and blows.

I'd hate to see what you think about guys who don't play well.

[NotAJerry]

oh now coronado makes a play..

He had a really good game, you should have watched it.

[NotAJerry]

Considering the massive difference in athleticism, an objective viewer (I had 7 of them with me) would consider Liberty's play tonight to be quite good. Marshall, Speaks, Jourdan, Coronado, Smith and Roberts are all showing they can contribute against good quality competition and should be even better once we slink down to Big South level opponents.

I would start Marshall-Speaks-Jourdan-Ogukwe-Coronado with Smith and Roberts as the first options off the bench for the time being. Sanders and Donley can come in once each half and stay in only if they're lighting up the scoreboard. That top 7 I listed, with JVP and Burrus back in the mix, is a quality team that will do well in the Big South this year.

[NotAJerry]

Wow big east announcer just seriously dissed us.. He was talking about how GU coach was happy with his teams points in the paint and said that this can help his team build confidence moving forward. He then said "I understand this is only Liberty but it can still help build confidence" ... really.. only Liberty... Does this not make anyone else extremely angry?

No, not really. We played at a good high major program, where nobody on our team (or likely any Big South team) would be able to make the roster, and stayed competitive for most of the game. We shot well for the night, did a better job getting penetration and finding open shooters for the 2nd straight game, and didn't get embarrassed like we did against Richmond despite Georgetown being a better team than Richmond.

There's been real, noticeable improvement over the 3 games as all the new pieces try to figure out how they fit in, yet you would think none of that is happening with the way you're completely misrepresenting the games.

[jbock13]

Coronado played okay towards the end.

[olldflame]

Coronado played okay towards the end.

The guy got 13 boards off the bench against a quality Big East team, and that´s the best compliment you can pay him? Apart from our 3 point shooting, his physical presence in the paint was the only thing that kept things as close as they were. Besides the rebounding, I liked a couple of hard fouls he gave to prevent Georgetown dunks. I´m excited to see what he can do as he gets back in playing shape and we face opponents more on our level.

[Purple Haize]

I'm not unhappy with the game. But I also don't think this Georgetown team is very special at this point either. Most of the first half the SCAR-wanna-be kept talking about the inexperience of the Hoyas and how it could be a tough year for them
The final score makes the game appear closer than it was for sure. I still think this team has the pieces and hope we can put them together before time runs out.

[jbock13]

I'm not dissing Coronado but that's just what I saw. Stats say one thing but an on the court performance is another.

But I'm not criticizing him either way yet so why jump on me? He showed potential in the second half.

[Chippy]

I'm not unhappy with the game. But I also don't think this Georgetown team is very special at this point either. Most of the first half the SCAR-wanna-be kept talking about the inexperience of the Hoyas and how it could be a tough year for them
The final score makes the game appear closer than it was for sure. I still think this team has the pieces and hope we can put them together before time runs out.

This is correct. Georgetown beat Duquesne 61-55 and Duquesne was picked to finish 16th (last) in the A-10.

[LU Grad 11]

Coronado played okay towards the end.

The guy got 13 boards off the bench against a quality Big East team, and that´s the best compliment you can pay him? Apart from our 3 point shooting, his physical presence in the paint was the only thing that kept things as close as they were. Besides the rebounding, I liked a couple of hard fouls he gave to prevent Georgetown dunks. I´m excited to see what he can do as he gets back in playing shape and we face opponents more on our level.

+1

Coronado played very well. Thirteen rebounds against any team is nothing to scoff at. I doubt Burrus could have rebounded as well. Georgetown only had 6 offensive rebounds compared to our 4. I also liked those hard fouls at the end. I can't stand giving up easy dunks. On the other hand, Ogukwe has got some work to do. Fouling out in eight minutes with 0 points and 1 rebound is pathetic. IMO, the team did better in the second half without Smith in the game. He still has some developing to do. Roberts is much better than I expected him to be. In 14 minutes a game he's averaging 9 points (6-9 from three) and has had 0 turnovers. I'm excited to see what this team will be like when we get the injured players back. When's the last time we made 10 threes in a game (1-27-11)?

[LU Grad 11]

This is correct. Richmond will prove to be a much better team than Georgetown. Georgetown beat Duquesne 61-55 and Duquesne was picked to finish 16th (last) in the A-10.

You may be right. Richmond beat UNCW 101-58 . UNCW beat UNCA by 8.

[ballcoach15]

I liked the 3 point shooting. that's better than trying to get ball inside all the time

[Cider Jim]

Once JR gets in better shape, we will be a BEAST in the Big South. The guy is a rebounding machine! I doubt that even Ace would have had 13 rebounds against Georgetown.

Also, Two of our guards--Roberts and Speaks--were 7-11 from the 3-point line. We haven't had a shooting duo like that since SC and the walk-on kid, Kyle Ohman (thanks, Medic).

[PAmedic]

Kyle Ohman?

[bballfan84]

Seriously John Caleb is really that bad..never was a fan of his..but didnt think he was this bad. He cannot play defense to save his life and if he is playing against a guy taller than him then there is no chance he is getting a shot up. He is basically a Jeremy Anderson and we are trying to make him something else. Give him 10 minutes a game and let him sit out and hit open 3's.

[Dr. Sheh]

On a positive note, our margin of loss has gotten smaller in each of the last 3 games (42, 12 & 9). Not sure what to make of that. Tough to get a read on the team until we are fully healthy. Roberts and Coronado look solid.

[bballfan84]

Seriously John Caleb is really that bad..never was a fan of his..but didnt think he was this bad. He cannot play defense to save his life and if he is playing against a guy taller than him then there is no chance he is getting a shot up. He is basically a Jeremy Anderson and we are trying to make him something else. Give him 10 minutes a game and let him sit out and hit open 3's.

Regardless of my rant regarding JC I actually think we will fair very well in the Big South..lets not forget about Gielo also.

[NotAJerry]

by the way, these are the best uniforms we've ever had. the warmups are sweet too

Very true. Seeing those in person, they were top notch. The only thing I'm not sure about is the FLAMES written vertically on the left hip/leg. Seems out of place on what are otherwise very sharp uniforms.

[NotAJerry]

Coronado played okay towards the end.

The guy got 13 boards off the bench against a quality Big East team, and that´s the best compliment you can pay him? Apart from our 3 point shooting, his physical presence in the paint was the only thing that kept things as close as they were. Besides the rebounding, I liked a couple of hard fouls he gave to prevent Georgetown dunks. I´m excited to see what he can do as he gets back in playing shape and we face opponents more on our level.

Agreed. Smith also gave a few hard fouls when Georgetown players tried to get highlight reel dunks. I really like the tenacity both are showing on defense.

[NotAJerry]

On a positive note, our margin of loss has gotten smaller in each of the last 3 games (42, 12 & 9). Not sure what to make of that. Tough to get a read on the team until we are fully healthy. Roberts and Coronado look solid.

Shooting percentage is up each game. Turnovers are down each game. Assists went 6, 13, 13 over the first 3 games. Shooting better + better ball control = being more competitive. This isn't a bad team, it's just a team that needs to make some adjustments in starting lineup and rotation minutes, mainly sitting Sanders a lot more, while the roster learns to play together (4 JUCO kids getting significant minutes early on).

[NotAJerry]

This is correct. Richmond will prove to be a much better team than Georgetown. Georgetown beat Duquesne 61-55 and Duquesne was picked to finish 16th (last) in the A-10.

You may be right. Richmond beat UNCW 101-58 . UNCW beat UNCA by 8.

UNCW has been bottom 4 in the CAA for 4 straight years. They were 10-21 (5-13) last season. They're not a good team.

Oh, and if we're going to do the random game comparison stuff this early in the season, Georgetown had a 27-23 lead over #10 Florida before the game was cancelled at halftime.

The reality is that Georgetown is a premier program in a premier conference. They routinely turn out NBA talent and win tournament games under JT III. We should have gotten embarrassed by a team of that caliber and didn't. That's a positive considering the massive difference between the Big East and the Big South.

[LU Grad 11]

I was not arguing that Richmond is better than Georgetown. I was just pointing out that they clobbered UNCW like they did us. Their average margin of victory is 42.5 points. Richmond and Georgetown both have good teams. Time will tell who is the better team.

Actually, Florida had a 27-23 lead over Georgetown. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=323140057

I agree that we played well against Georgetown. They had 3 players starting that were 6'8 or taller. To only get outrebounded by 4 is very impressive.

[SumItUp]

If we avoid injuries and the team does not become discouraged before league play, we should do well in the Big South this year.