[ATrain]

As a wise man told me, this team has not been developed at all. The way basketball is played today is all about driving and creating, and we don't have players doing that.

[jcmanson]

Losing at half to one of the worst D-1 teams in the country. Has our program officially reached rock bottom?

If you trust the RPI ratings at this early point- then yes..

http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_Men.html

This is nothing new. We've been #350 or #351 for the past month.

[Kolzilla41]

Serious Question: Am I the only person that feels like The team (Coaches, Players, Etc.) has given up? I just feel like they dont care. Not walking off the floor or anything, but just that a loss doesnt matter at all.

Despite Lang's observations I didn't sense an early lack of enthusiasm or effort at the beginning of the game until about the under 8 TO. What I sensed was no one knowing what their role is on the floor. Everyone wants to be on the perimeter because you won't see a post entry pass. Smith took a fade a way 3 pointer for crying out loud.
Unfortunately, what I see happening is the ME in TEAM syndrome that has plagued us for ever.

On a side note,I'm bet Lang is glad I don't have Twitter

I wish you did

[ballcoach15]

We have got to recruit better. Night after night I see visiting teams in Vines Center put 5 players on floor with more talent than LU.

Need some guys who are a threat to score in double figures EVERY game, not score 12 one night and go a month before hitting double figures again.

As has been posted several times, we have a roster of role players, no true D1s.

[flamesfan30]

since i only live 20 minutes from UNCA, I'm seriously considering going to the game on thursday just so i can wear a paper bag on my head.

[Purple Haize]

I can't say I disagree with you. Think of it this way, DL did a Hall of Fame Level job at a D2 school in Charlotte. Put this team in that conference and you would have a National Championship contender

[Purple Haize]

Serious Question: Am I the only person that feels like The team (Coaches, Players, Etc.) has given up? I just feel like they dont care. Not walking off the floor or anything, but just that a loss doesnt matter at all.

Despite Lang's observations I didn't sense an early lack of enthusiasm or effort at the beginning of the game until about the under 8 TO. What I sensed was no one knowing what their role is on the floor. Everyone wants to be on the perimeter because you won't see a post entry pass. Smith took a fade a way 3 pointer for crying out loud.
Unfortunately, what I see happening is the ME in TEAM syndrome that has plagued us for ever.

On a side note,I'm bet Lang is glad I don't have Twitter

My observations were more based on the energy relative to what PC was bringing early, and also, comments from both sides saying talking about the first 20 minutes of the game. I agree with your assessment of players not knowing roles. It's swing, swing, swing, one post entry, one kickout, swing, failed post entry, rushed shot on almost every possession.

I'd love for you to have a Twitter. I love a good argument. Bring it!

I am now following you so be afraid. Be very afraid

[jmmiii]

We have got to recruit better. Night after night I see visiting teams in Vines Center put 5 players on floor with more talent than LU.

Completely agree. A thought crossed my mind during the Presbyterian game while listening to LU's announcers gush over Murray. Why doesn't he wear a Liberty jersey? Other than location or proximity what can Presbyterian offer that Liberty can't?

We can be so much better that it hurts. We need new blood and a new coach. Whoever he is, he cannot be out of touch with young men. Needs a McKay like personality. Needs to be a recruiter. No reason with as much talent as we have in football that the same caliber cannot be brought in basketball. But we don't. Why don't we? It's not the facilities. It's not the rules (look at football). Why not us?

Speaking of football, Turner Gill got so much heat this past season, even from LFSN. Hard questions were asked during public interviews. I strongly disagree that a comparison can be made between the postseason success of football this year and MBB two years ago. With that being said, whether real or imagined, I see a double standard with MBB. Is MBB not a priority? I think it should be. I think its deserving of hard questions. We could be so much better.

[WinthropEagleFan]

According to Lang's Big South rankings in his December 30th article (linked below), Longwood and Presby were both expected to finish below us, but they both won conference games yesterday:

Presby over Liberty, 62-58
Longwood over Radford, 90-79 (2 OT)

http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/liber ... 29814.html

Can you find 2 wins? No, seriously.

Has anyone besides me looked up what is the LU record for fewest Big South Conference wins in a season?

2 wins, Mel Hankinson (2001-2002)
3 wins, RD (2005-2006)

LU went 0-10 in conference play back in 1998-99 (http://big-south.s3.amazonaws.com/media ... 1418781983).

[bluejacket]

With that being said, whether real or imagined, I see a double standard with MBB. Is MBB not a priority? I think it should be. I think its deserving of hard questions. We could be so much better.

Men's basketball is a priority, but it is clearly not in the same way that football is. Actions speak louder than words.

[Cider Jim]

LU went 0-10 in conference play back in 1998-99.

Your're right! That was Hanky's first year: we had 4 total wins for the season but zero in conference.

[Cider Jim]

Jason Allison. Jason Allison. Jason Allison.

Didn't realize that Jason is 38 years old, which is the same age Jeff Meyer was when LU joined the Big South.

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209477396

[ballcoach15]

LU should make every effort to have the best team possible, in every sport.

Football is good
baseball is good
women's basketball is good
softball is on the rise

Men's basketball is going backwards.

[olldflame]

LU should make every effort to have the best team possible, in every sport.

Football is good
baseball is good
women's basketball is good
softball is on the rise

Men's basketball is going backwards.

While I am optimistic, I believe it is premature to say softball is on the rise. Yes, we have a highly respected new coach and a magnificent new facility. The fact is though, that the onfield results in Dot's first year were borderline pitiful, which leaves nowhere to go but up. Looks like we just signed a good recruiting class, which includes by some assessments the #1 prospect in the country. Hopefully it will result in some wins down the road.

[ballcoach15]

This year's team will have some pitching. Last year's team had injuries to just about every pitcher on roster. When any college team throw their #3,4 or 5 hurler, they're gonna suffer.
Plus this year's team has some freshman position players who will help immediately.

[ballcoach15]

I just checked the scoring averages for LU. Only one player is averaging in double figures, Gielo is scoring 12.0 ppf, the next leading scorer is at 7.9.
This is not very good.

[ATrain]

LU should make every effort to have the best team possible, in every sport.

Football is good
baseball is good
women's basketball is good
softball is on the rise

Men's basketball is going backwards.

While I am optimistic, I believe it is premature to say softball is on the rise. Yes, we have a highly respected new coach and a magnificent new facility. The fact is though, that the onfield results in Dot's first year were borderline pitiful, which leaves nowhere to go but up. Looks like we just signed a good recruiting class, which includes by some assessments the #1 prospect in the country. Hopefully it will result in some wins down the road.

You can't judge a coach by their first season. This year will determine if they are on the rise or not. Historically, softball has been one of our more competitive sports.

[bluejacket]

The last few posts say all that needs to be said about men's basketball.....

[olldflame]

LU should make every effort to have the best team possible, in every sport.

Football is good
baseball is good
women's basketball is good
softball is on the rise

Men's basketball is going backwards.

While I am optimistic, I believe it is premature to say softball is on the rise. Yes, we have a highly respected new coach and a magnificent new facility. The fact is though, that the onfield results in Dot's first year were borderline pitiful, which leaves nowhere to go but up. Looks like we just signed a good recruiting class, which includes by some assessments the #1 prospect in the country. Hopefully it will result in some wins down the road.

You can't judge a coach by their first season. This year will determine if they are on the rise or not. Historically, softball has been one of our more competitive sports.

I agree. I just think you need to at least see SOME promising results on the field before you can say it.

[olldflame]

The last few posts say all that needs to be said about men's basketball.....

[phoenix]

The last few posts say all that needs to be said about men's basketball.....

No, THIS post says all that needs to be said about LU basketball:

[Eighty]

This year's team will have some pitching. Last year's team had injuries to just about every pitcher on roster. When any college team throw their #3,4 or 5 hurler, they're gonna suffer.
Plus this year's team has some freshman position players who will help immediately.

Basketball thread hijacked by softball...

This year may be a little better, the #1 and #2 are returning from their injuries, however, their ERA was around a ~5.xx prior to their injuries. With the new pitching coach I expect them to improve. Last years #3 (who became #1 due to injuries) left LU & #4 (who became #2 due to injuries) graduated. To be competitive the ERA needs to be a very low 1.xx. So... I wouldn't expect this major turnaround this season. Looking at the roster, the former coaching staff did not recruit a D1 level pitcher in their final few years. Based on the fall results against D1 level competition, the new freshman pitchers are average at best. Pitchers are recruited 2-3 years out, so, expect better pitching in the 2016 and 2017 team.

Now... back to basketball...

[TheGovernor]

Someone somewhere needs to be fired just because people are talking about softball in the basketball thread. I thought being last in RPI was as low as it could get... nope.

[ballcoach15]

I thought same thing, but I know a lot more about softball than basketball.

[BJWilliams]

While I think changes will need to happen as far as basketball is concerned, I dont think that discussions on a message board (or lack thereof) will be a driving force behind it, even if you are being sarcastic