[LUconn]

As of right now this is how the roster will look (excluding guys who aren't likely to get PT)

G
Chad Donley
Davon Marshall
Casey Roberts
John Caleb Sanders
Larry Taylor
Ethan Layer
Ryan Kemrite


F
Antwan Burrus
Tomasz Gielo
Sommy Ogukwe
Andrew Smith

C
JR Coronado
Joel Vander Pol




Basically same team add Burrus and Kemrite subtract Speaks. Speaks is going to be hard to replace even though he was basically only the 3rd option on offense. Good defense and brought a lot of versatility on the other end. I don't see anybody who can fill that roll right now except Sanders. The problem is we still aren't going to have a true PG so he'll be stuck doing that again. And we'll all trash him because he's forced to play a position he's not suited for.

Obviously we know next years team is capable enough to win the Big South since the same team did it this year. But it still seems like a long shot to do it again with no ball handler.

[TIMSCAR20]

Wes Alcegaire will be a redshirt Freshman too. I hesitate to say his name because he is roughly the size of Speaks so the expectations going forward on this board will start to elevate on him and I don't like to put pressure on incoming players.

I haven't seen Wes play at all so I can't say one way or the other how much of a contribution he will make. I hope he is exceptional out of the gate. Seems like a good kid from my interactions with him.

[olldflame]

I was in the process of starting a similar thread when I saw this was up already. Here are some thoughts on key factors moving forward. It´s a bit lengthy.

1) Coach Layer
Prior to the BSC tournament I think most of us thought that at the very least JB would be giving serious consideration to a coaching change at seasons end. While I highly doubt it, it could still happen. When RD was let go, JB famiously made a point of saying he had decided not to retain him a month earlier, and that even a tournament championship would not have changed his mind. I think this is different because of how Layer has managed things off court and because he has a year left on his contract and a ton of seniors next year. The question then is does he get an extension? A 2 year extension is SOP nowdays for a coach entering his last year. No extension is like a vote of no confidence from the AD. My guess is JB splits the difference and gives Layer a 1 year extension now with another 2 if he has a successful season next year.

2) Vacent assistant coaching job
I find it strange that Eaker is still officially listed on the staff when every indication is he is gone. I can´t see him coming back, so his replacement will be an important hire. Since the consensus is that recruiting is Dale´s weakness, a coach with a solid record as a recruiter would certainly be in order.

3) This years recruiting class.
Of course, our top ¨recruit¨next year will be a healthy Antwan Burrus. In addition, we have Ryan Kemrite signed in Nov., who is a 6´4 guard like the departing Trap Speaks, but with a different skill set. What are the chances of freeing one or more additional scholarships to recruit for need?

We have 3 scholarship players with eligibility remaining who made little or no contribution this year. I can see at least 1 or 2 of them moving on to a situation where they can play more. While he saw the most PT of the 3, I think the shooting guard is the one needed the least moving forward with Kemrite arriving and Ethan Layer coming off a non medical redshirt.

I would think an athletic wing and or a true PG would be recruiting priorities. Keep in mind though that if we were to sign a PG who is good enough to demand major minutes right away, those minutes will at least to some extent need to come from JCS and Marshall. 3 guards can work, but when at least 2 of them are under 6 foot and one has to play the 3, you have a problem.

4) Fall signing class

With 6 seniors on next years team, this will be the key to the future of the program. There will be needs at every position, and I would think we need to get away from a dependance on JUCO players and get some 4 year freshmen in the pipeline.


Just my initial thoughts. Discuss it amongst yourselves

[TIMSCAR20]

Still no mention of Wes? He's on the team and on Scholarship fellas. I don't know if Kemrite can come in and play or not but you have to figure Wes is further along in terms of practicing everyday and playing with this team. He and Burrus and Ethan were the scout team and getting this team prepared both at home and on the road. He could factor into the near future of Liberty hoops.

Davon played point most of the time. JC was a primary ball handler and driver so it may have appeared he was running the point but it seemed to me Davon started the offense and brought the ball up most of the time. You can win with 2 primary ball handlers. A "true" PG is not necessarily what is needed in my opinion.

Having a primary scoring option in Burrus down low will make this team a lot tougher to guard on the perimeter. There was a lot of isolation and one on one in the post with a lot of extended pressure and traps on the perimeter. That's how I would defend Liberty too. But next year it will be suicide to leave Burrus one on one with anyone in the paint. He will score all day.

Overall this team will be poised, barring injuries, to make another run.

[olldflame]

I don´t think anyone knows what Wes brings to the table since he didn´t play, but what we do know is that despite gaudy HS numbers he was a last minute signee who had no other D1 offers and clearly has a way to go, since he was redshirted even though it would appear a long athletic swing player was a screaming need this year. Possibly Asaad Woods part deux?

[TDDance234]

I can't imagine Donley sticking around. He seemed to get leaped by Casey Roberts in the rotation.

Kemrite seems to be similar in stature to Larry Taylor, so wouldn't surprise me to see him gone, either. I think we're going to have to dip in to the JC route again to get some help on the wing. At this point, we're loaded with 3-4 of the same player - guys who can shoot but offer little else.

I'd imagine our rotation will go something like this:

Marshall - Kemrite
Sanders - Roberts
Smith - Gielo
Burrus - Okugwe
Coronado - Vander Pol

[SuperJon]

The worst thing for next year's expectations is this year's run. Because our fans are stupid, they'll all think we're great and anything worse than a #2 preseason pick is wrong and blah, blah, blah.

We've got the potential. But we've got a lot of work. I'd expect 15-17 regular season wins.

[olldflame]

I can't imagine Donley sticking around. He seemed to get leaped by Casey Roberts in the rotation.

Kemrite seems to be similar in stature to Larry Taylor, so wouldn't surprise me to see him gone, either. I think we're going to have to dip in to the JC route again to get some help on the wing. At this point, we're loaded with 3-4 of the same player - guys who can shoot but offer little else.

I'd imagine our rotation will go something like this:

Marshall - Kemrite
Sanders - Roberts
Smith - Gielo
Burrus - Okugwe
Coronado - Vander Pol

Kemrite is 6´4 and a SG who might be able to give you minutes at the 3. Larry is a PG and is 6´1 on a good day.

If Taylor isn´t back it will be because we recruited over him with another PG this spring, not because of Kemrite. Donley is another matter. I honestly don´t see a role for him next year. Ethan Layer actually did a better job in the same role 2 years ago, and he doesn´t cost us a schollie.

[LUFlamesNation]

I have been told by people who would know, to expect Kemrite to challenge for conference freshman of the year. Take it for what it's worth.

[jinxy]

How many schollies does bball get again. Were jourdan or assimessi not on scholly? I thought that would free up atleast 1 more signee for this year wouldnt it? Just a question

[olldflame]

How many schollies does bball get again. Were jourdan or assimessi not on scholly? I thought that would free up atleast 1 more signee for this year wouldnt it? Just a question

MBB gets 13 scholarships. Assenisi was a walkon. The scholarship Jourdan had may have already been given or promised to Casey Roberts, who also arrived as a walkon, but if not, it is available.

[PAmedic]

I'm already depressed

[flamehunter]

The worst thing for next year's expectations is this year's run. Because our fans are stupid, they'll all think we're great and anything worse than a #2 preseason pick is wrong and blah, blah, blah.

We've got the potential. But we've got a lot of work. I'd expect 15-17 regular season wins.

Forget the fans and expectations, because we're mostly idiots any ways. What this run did, in my opinion, was give the players a ton of confidence. Take it for what it's worth but that could go a long way towards a good season next year, as long as they put in the work.

[thepostman]

yeah, I am sure some fans will be disappointed if we don't come running out of the gates firing on all cylinder's because that is how fans are. Liberty fans just turn that up a notch or two.

I think we will improve, but so will the rest of the big south. It will be interesting

[ballcoach15]

the key for 13-14 is win BCS tourney again, but I'd like to see us have good enough season that we avoid the Dayton games. But knowing the selection committee if we went undefeated and finished at 35-0, we'd still get sent to Dayton.
I recall the year the women were undefeated and got seeded 16th had to play Tennessee , the ONLY other undefeated team in country. that proved that selection committee is lacking on integrity.

[Purple Haize]

the key for 13-14 is win BCS tourney again, but I'd like to see us have good enough season that we avoid the Dayton games. But knowing the selection committee if we went undefeated and finished at 35-0, we'd still get sent to Dayton.
I recall the year the women were undefeated and got seeded 16th had to play Tennessee , the ONLY other undefeated team in country. that proved that selection committee is lacking on integrity.

You need to check your meds. There was a huge difference in Tennessee being undefeated and LU being undefeated. Integrity had nothing to do with it. I suspect if we go undefeated we will avoid a play in game next year. The key to anyone in the BSC is winning the Tournament. We sort of proved that this year.
You might want to check yourself before impugning someone's integrity.

[BJWilliams]

the key for 13-14 is win BCS tourney again, but I'd like to see us have good enough season that we avoid the Dayton games. But knowing the selection committee if we went undefeated and finished at 35-0, we'd still get sent to Dayton.
I recall the year the women were undefeated and got seeded 16th had to play Tennessee , the ONLY other undefeated team in country. that proved that selection committee is lacking on integrity.

You need to check your meds. There was a huge difference in Tennessee being undefeated and LU being undefeated. Integrity had nothing to do with it. I suspect if we go undefeated we will avoid a play in game next year. The key to anyone in the BSC is winning the Tournament. We sort of proved that this year.
You might want to check yourself before impugning someone's integrity.

Not to mention be glad no one on this site would plan on suing your pants off for making such statements. Take a look at Tennessee's schedule from that year and put it next to LU's schedule that year (especially the non-conference portion)...Tennessee's schedule would be light years better than ours that year.

[SumItUp]

Not to mention be glad no one on this site would plan on suing your pants off for making such statements.

[bigsmooth]

i echo most of what olldflame said, especially about a coach who can recruit. i am not impressed with donley, taylor, vander pol, or smith, but smith and JVP will be back for sure. We seriously need another ball handler because Sanders will not get it done. we simply need better athletes and i could seriously see us playing just like we did last year. I am not buying into this team after the BSC run and a trip to the dance. I am not buying into Layer either though i love him as a person and how he represents LU. im am simply skeptical. It was a great run, but had that not happened, Layer would be fired. I hope im wrong and if it is you all can laugh at me and call me an idiot.

[Cider Jim]

I'm looking for Smith to have a break-out year in 2013-2014: he's very athletic, has SCAR-like highlight reel dunks, and is a shot blocker.

[jinxy]

Totally agree with Smootie with the exception of Smith. You can find a place on your team for a kid like that with athleticcism and a motor. Were short on athleticism now, dont need to run off one of the few athletes we have. I hope we get another player and don't give that scholly to Roberts. He's a nice kid and a good walk on but he just can't play against the better competition. I can't understand for the life of me why JVP releases the shot so low he gets blocked way too much to be a borderline 7 footer.

Totally agree on Donley, Layer filled that role better last year. I could see the team improving enough to win 20 games next year with a healthy burrus and if we can use that other scholly to get a Trap Speaks type player and i would actually lean towards getting a juco player since next years team will be a veteran team, why not add a piece for two years and try to parlay this new foudn confidence into something.

Also, Gielo is the big key to the team improving. He is the guy that can really be a difference maker and a improve the most if he ever figures it all out.

[Purple Haize]

Smith is an energy guy coming off the bench. Fly around the court, running and jumping all over the court for a few minutes at a time.
Totally agree about Gielo. He seems to be playing NOT to make a mistake and looks like he plays with an eye to the bench. He plays like he does with the Polish National team and with some confidence his game has potential to be a whole other level.

[JK37]

yeah, I am sure some fans will be disappointed if we don't come running out of the gates firing on all cylinder's because that is how fans are. Liberty fans just turn that up a notch or two.

I think we will improve, but so will the rest of the big south. It will be interesting

Liberty doesn't have to come running out of the gate: 2-3 wins in first 8 is already HUGE improvement over this season!

[Purple Haize]

yeah, I am sure some fans will be disappointed if we don't come running out of the gates firing on all cylinder's because that is how fans are. Liberty fans just turn that up a notch or two.

I think we will improve, but so will the rest of the big south. It will be interesting

Liberty doesn't have to come running out of the gate: 1 win in first 8 is already HUGE improvement over this season!

FIFY

[NotAJerry]

I hope we get another player and don't give that scholly to Roberts. He's a nice kid and a good walk on but he just can't play against the better competition.

Actually, Roberts' numbers were much better early in the season when we were playing tougher competition.