If roundball is your blood, this is the place to discuss the Flames as they move into the Ritchie McKay era for the 2nd time.

Moderators: jcmanson, Sly Fox, BuryYourDuke

By TIMSCAR20
Registration Days Posts
#445724
Boy that finish was hard to watch. It was a little frustrating to watch High Point come into Lynchburg and win on Saturday but last night based on body language alone and without knowing the facts about Longwood's abysmal record vs Division 1 teams, their 0 wins in conference and their recent history in division 1 basketball in general, I would have thought that Longwood was favored to win the game at the end. Woodhouse was confident, their fans were engaged and loud and Liberty seemed to self destruct on key possessions.

To me Longwood looks at this matchup like it's Superbowl and Liberty does not. I see some real positives in the front court. J.R. Coronado, Smith and Gielo have all become really good players. Gielo is a Special player. Burrus looked as close to his old self as I have seen in weeks. But JC and Marshall seemed out of sync. Cabe was really struggling. These two guys were a primary reason why Liberty currently holds the Tournament crown. Hopefully they can regain some of that magic the rest of the season into the tournament.

I am ready to see the Seniors on this team play like Trap Speaks played last year. He had a real sense of urgency that seniors tend to have when they feel their career coming to an end.

Go Flames!
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By Kolzilla41
Registration Days Posts
#445725
BJWilliams wrote:Blah blah blah, Liberty lost...blah blah blah Liberty sucks blah blah blah blow up the basketball program blah blah blah Barber whiffed etc...Tonight was a bad loss I will agree but that is pretty much the sentiment after every loss...
BJ, why even bother posting? How many years does this need to happen before you wake up?
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By BJWilliams
Registration Days Posts
#445730
I like Coach Layer bob, I do...had a chance to talk to him the one and only time I got to cover a Liberty basketball game, that said, I wouldnt have lost any sleep if we had not have won the Big South last year and Layer was fired. and frankly, I wont lose any this year if that happens. Ive wanted just as much as you to see us get to the next level as a basketball program (especially since Ive been a part of Flames Nation for 2 championships and some for all 3). Im not blind or asleep to the fact that we aren't at that level that is for sure...I just dont see the need to air my frustrations on here after every loss.

Jon does raise a fair point though about this being on the upperclassmen...
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By Purple Haize
Registration Days Posts
#445731
SuperJon wrote:I wonder if this is more on the seniors than on the coach.
I think there is some depth to that statement. While an argument can be made about being talent deficient, Layer is not the one on the court. Chemistry and trust come from players more than coaches
By olldflame
Registration Days Posts
#445736
Purple Haize wrote:
SuperJon wrote:I wonder if this is more on the seniors than on the coach.
I think there is some depth to that statement. While an argument can be made about being talent deficient, Layer is not the one on the court. Chemistry and trust come from players more than coaches
There's plenty of blame to go around, but I think SJ is onto something here. The fact that we have 6 seniors with a ton of playing time under their belt was supposed to be the strength of this team, and especially our 2 starting guards. Instead, IMHO we have seen Sanders and Marshall regress from their level of play last year, and the other seniors have been inconsistent (although to be fair to Twan, I think his bad days were mostly due to injury.) The chemistry you would expect from such a veteran group is lacking, and it seems there is no carryover from the BSC tourney run. The 2 Juniors, Geilo and Smith have been the bright spots lately, and they may in fact be our most talented players.

You can talk all you want about firing Layer, it's not gunna happen this year. JB loves the way DL runs the program, and between last years tourney win, the 2 year extension Layer was given and this years recruiting class I expect to see this staff back next season pretty much no matter what happens. There is still time and opportunity to turn things around in conference play and set ourselves up for a shot at the dance again, but something needs to happen soon, and I think the key will be for those seniors to lead by example and, play at a higher level with fewer mistakes.

Am I alone in saying that I would almost rather not win the BSC tourney if it means being talked about as one of the worst NCAA teams ever 2 years in a row? We need to get this turned around now.
By TIMSCAR20
Registration Days Posts
#445748
olldflame wrote:
Purple Haize wrote:
SuperJon wrote:I wonder if this is more on the seniors than on the coach.
I think there is some depth to that statement. While an argument can be made about being talent deficient, Layer is not the one on the court. Chemistry and trust come from players more than coaches
There's plenty of blame to go around, but I think SJ is onto something here. The fact that we have 6 seniors with a ton of playing time under their belt was supposed to be the strength of this team, and especially our 2 starting guards. Instead, IMHO we have seen Sanders and Marshall regress from their level of play last year, and the other seniors have been inconsistent (although to be fair to Twan, I think his bad days were mostly due to injury.) The chemistry you would expect from such a veteran group is lacking, and it seems there is no carryover from the BSC tourney run. The 2 Juniors, Geilo and Smith have been the bright spots lately, and they may in fact be our most talented players.

You can talk all you want about firing Layer, it's not gunna happen this year. JB loves the way DL runs the program, and between last years tourney win, the 2 year extension Layer was given and this years recruiting class I expect to see this staff back next season pretty much no matter what happens. There is still time and opportunity to turn things around in conference play and set ourselves up for a shot at the dance again, but something needs to happen soon, and I think the key will be for those seniors to lead by example and, play at a higher level with fewer mistakes.

Am I alone in saying that I would almost rather not win the BSC tourney if it means being talked about as one of the worst NCAA teams ever 2 years in a row? We need to get this turned around now.
It would be nice to get to 20 wins this year. Still not out of reach with potentially 14 or 15 games left (assuming a run through the tourney).
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