[Cider Jim]

Found a pic of Zeb and his triplet sisters. He looks only an inch or two taller than they are; plus, on ESPN's website, Zeb was listed as a guard at Kentucky Christian.

http://www.lukecommission.org/News-Stor ... Amy-Frazee
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... zeb-frazee

[Wvflame2013]

Maybe I m seeing things or someone who looks like Sommy Ogukwe (sp?) lifting at the gym regularly. Is he back at liberty and does he have any eligibility left? Pretty sure it is him though.

[R i]

If Zeb was 6'11, I'm 6'9.

He was 6'7 at best.

[olldflame]

Maybe I m seeing things or someone who looks like Sommy Ogukwe (sp?) lifting at the gym regularly. Is he back at liberty and does he have any eligibility left? Pretty sure it is him though.

Wouldn´t be surprised if Sommy is back in graduate school, but he used his last year of eligibility at Limestone College last year.

[olldflame]

Sam Worman, a 6´3¨FR guard from Leesburg, VA has been added to the roster. My guess is he won a spot in the recent walkon tryouts.

http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm ... erID=10546

It has also been mentioned that Steve Farquar´s son is involved with the program, but not on the roster. He is no doubt a part of the scout team.

[FlamesHighontheTide]

Did a quick google search of this kid and he was named 2nd team all-state for division 1 basketball in va. Couldn't find much else on Sam, but he has good size and to be voted 2nd team all state is an honor. Congrats to him for putting in the work to make the team! Hopefully he can turn out to be like a kyle ohman type of role player.

[Chippy]

Did a quick google search of this kid and he was named 2nd team all-state for division 1 basketball in va. Couldn't find much else on Sam, but he has good size and to be voted 2nd team all state is an honor. Congrats to him for putting in the work to make the team! Hopefully he can turn out to be like a kyle ohman type of role player.

Flint Hill is a private school in Vienna, VA. It would be comparable to being 2nd team all state at LCA. This is not to diminish this young man's accomplishments. Flint Hill was THE best basketball program in the metro DC area in the 80's and a top 5 school nationally that turned out Dennis Scott among others.

[TDDance234]

It's hard to believe that's a D-1 roster. The lack of size is going to absolutely kill us. We better hope Maxwell doesn't get in foul trouble and can play 35 minutes a night. We don't have another backup post on the roster.

[TIMSCAR20]

It's hard to believe that's a D-1 roster. The lack of size is going to absolutely kill us. We better hope Maxwell doesn't get in foul trouble and can play 35 minutes a night. We don't have another backup post on the roster.

I think you can win with a mid sized roster. Very few players play with their back to the basket these days anyway. Liberty beat UVA with 5 perimeter players. Unless you are playing Kentucky or Arizona or any big time team with athletic, long and skilled players, you can hold your own if you play a skilled game. I watched Indiana University lead by former Flame Joe Retic play Auburn to OT and I don't think they had anyone over 6-6. They nearly won the game just running and shooting 3's. Retic was in foul trouble but is clearly one of their top players but they had 3 other kids that could absolutely fill it up. It was fun to watch. I suspect this version of the Flames will be fun to watch too. ALMOST makes me wish I still worked for LFSN

[olldflame]

It's hard to believe that's a D-1 roster. The lack of size is going to absolutely kill us. We better hope Maxwell doesn't get in foul trouble and can play 35 minutes a night. We don't have another backup post on the roster.

I think you can win with a mid sized roster. Very few players play with their back to the basket these days anyway. Liberty beat UVA with 5 perimeter players. Unless you are playing Kentucky or Arizona or any big time team with athletic, long and skilled players, you can hold your own if you play a skilled game. I watched Indiana University lead by former Flame Joe Retic play Auburn to OT and I don't think they had anyone over 6-6. They nearly won the game just running and shooting 3's. Retic was in foul trouble but is clearly one of their top players but they had 3 other kids that could absolutely fill it up. It was fun to watch. I suspect this version of the Flames will be fun to watch too. ALMOST makes me wish I still worked for LFSN

I agree. I think we have upgraded the PG position, which should result in fewer turnovers and more quality shots. Our chances to pull some surprises this year will depend a lot on how quickly we can pick up on the pack line D and how well guys like Kemrite, Reid, Dawson and Talbert shoot the ball. No way Maxwell plays that many minutes. Even if Barrera works wonders with him, I doubt he can improve his stamina that much over the player who couldn´t go more than a few minutes without getting gassed last year, especially if we play more up tempo as expected.

[Purple Haize]

Offensively SCAR is correct. However, I am not surprised he forgot about the other end of the floor: Defense. If he is going to try to mimic Bennett's D than you REALLY need a tall fellow guarding the rim. That's why getting the 7'2" kid should be out #1 priority. Or at least a 6'10" athlete

[olldflame]

Offensively SCAR is correct. However, I am not surprised he forgot about the other end of the floor: Defense. If he is going to try to mimic Bennett's D than you REALLY need a tall fellow guarding the rim. That's why getting the 7'2" kid should be out #1 priority. Or at least a 6'10" athlete

It certainly looks like Brendan Newton is our top recruiting priority for 2017. He currently has our only open offer for the class. Elijah Cuffee and Jay Barber have already committed, and we won´t need to use a schollie for Barber.

Wasn´t UVA´s rim protector last year only 6´8¨?

[Purple Haize]

They had a couple of tall folks. They did have a freak athlete but thought he was 6'10. Either way he was an incredible athlete. But 7'2 works

[olldflame]

Forget the rinky-dink HS league he plays in, it seems there is a consensus that in AAU ball this year Newton was a complete game changer on the defensive end. I think the fact that he has chosen to remain at his small christian HS for his Junior year rather than head for one of the basketball factory schools bodes well for our chances.

[Chippy]

It's hard to believe that's a D-1 roster. The lack of size is going to absolutely kill us. We better hope Maxwell doesn't get in foul trouble and can play 35 minutes a night. We don't have another backup post on the roster.

I think you can win with a mid sized roster. Very few players play with their back to the basket these days anyway. Liberty beat UVA with 5 perimeter players. Unless you are playing Kentucky or Arizona or any big time team with athletic, long and skilled players, you can hold your own if you play a skilled game. I watched Indiana University lead by former Flame Joe Retic play Auburn to OT and I don't think they had anyone over 6-6. They nearly won the game just running and shooting 3's. Retic was in foul trouble but is clearly one of their top players but they had 3 other kids that could absolutely fill it up. It was fun to watch. I suspect this version of the Flames will be fun to watch too. ALMOST makes me wish I still worked for LFSN

Joe Retic plays for Indiana

[olldflame]

It's hard to believe that's a D-1 roster. The lack of size is going to absolutely kill us. We better hope Maxwell doesn't get in foul trouble and can play 35 minutes a night. We don't have another backup post on the roster.

I think you can win with a mid sized roster. Very few players play with their back to the basket these days anyway. Liberty beat UVA with 5 perimeter players. Unless you are playing Kentucky or Arizona or any big time team with athletic, long and skilled players, you can hold your own if you play a skilled game. I watched Indiana University lead by former Flame Joe Retic play Auburn to OT and I don't think they had anyone over 6-6. They nearly won the game just running and shooting 3's. Retic was in foul trouble but is clearly one of their top players but they had 3 other kids that could absolutely fill it up. It was fun to watch. I suspect this version of the Flames will be fun to watch too. ALMOST makes me wish I still worked for LFSN

Joe Retic plays for Indiana

Not quite. He plays for D2 Indianapolis University.

[TDDance234]

It's hard to believe that's a D-1 roster. The lack of size is going to absolutely kill us. We better hope Maxwell doesn't get in foul trouble and can play 35 minutes a night. We don't have another backup post on the roster.

I think you can win with a mid sized roster. Very few players play with their back to the basket these days anyway. Liberty beat UVA with 5 perimeter players. Unless you are playing Kentucky or Arizona or any big time team with athletic, long and skilled players, you can hold your own if you play a skilled game. I watched Indiana University lead by former Flame Joe Retic play Auburn to OT and I don't think they had anyone over 6-6. They nearly won the game just running and shooting 3's. Retic was in foul trouble but is clearly one of their top players but they had 3 other kids that could absolutely fill it up. It was fun to watch. I suspect this version of the Flames will be fun to watch too. ALMOST makes me wish I still worked for LFSN

You can win with a mid-sized roster but that roster has to be athletic. Outside of Andrew Smith and Gielo, we haven't been very athletic over the past several years. It's going to take a few seasons to build that up.

I agree with the upgrade at PG being huge for this team. Retic was a disaster as the starter and it got worse when he went down with an injury. Layer's major downfall was going in to the season without a viable backup PG.

[flamesfilmguy]

Walkon tryouts are being held Sept. 30. It´s a long shot, but maybe there is a big guy on campus who can give us a few minutes a game off the bench. I remember when we talked about the brother of the Frazee triplets, Zeb, who is 6´11¨ and was dominating intermurals possibly joining the team when we had no depth in Ritchie´s initial season the first go-round. Zeb wasn´t interested because he had a full ride as an RA and felt that was what God wanted him to do.

http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm ... 78&TeamID=

If Zeb was 6'11, I'm 6'9.

Lol QFT

[Chris Lang]

Offensively SCAR is correct. However, I am not surprised he forgot about the other end of the floor: Defense. If he is going to try to mimic Bennett's D than you REALLY need a tall fellow guarding the rim. That's why getting the 7'2" kid should be out #1 priority. Or at least a 6'10" athlete

It certainly looks like Brendan Newton is our top recruiting priority for 2017. He currently has our only open offer for the class. Elijah Cuffee and Jay Barber have already committed, and we won´t need to use a schollie for Barber.

Wasn´t UVA´s rim protector last year only 6´8¨?

Perhaps JK37 can speak to this, since he's been on the coaching side of this, but I don't believe that's true re: Barber and a scholarship. He'll count against the total if he signs a LOI. Ethan didn't count because he was a straight-up walk-on.

[olldflame]

It's hard to believe that's a D-1 roster. The lack of size is going to absolutely kill us. We better hope Maxwell doesn't get in foul trouble and can play 35 minutes a night. We don't have another backup post on the roster.

I think you can win with a mid sized roster. Very few players play with their back to the basket these days anyway. Liberty beat UVA with 5 perimeter players. Unless you are playing Kentucky or Arizona or any big time team with athletic, long and skilled players, you can hold your own if you play a skilled game. I watched Indiana University lead by former Flame Joe Retic play Auburn to OT and I don't think they had anyone over 6-6. They nearly won the game just running and shooting 3's. Retic was in foul trouble but is clearly one of their top players but they had 3 other kids that could absolutely fill it up. It was fun to watch. I suspect this version of the Flames will be fun to watch too. ALMOST makes me wish I still worked for LFSN

You can win with a mid-sized roster but that roster has to be athletic. Outside of Andrew Smith and Gielo, we haven't been very athletic over the past several years. It's going to take a few seasons to build that up.

I agree with the upgrade at PG being huge for this team. Retic was a disaster as the starter and it got worse when he went down with an injury. Layer's major downfall was going in to the season without a viable backup PG.

It´s not just athleticism. You need some of that, but skill and team chemistry are at least as important. You need guys who can beat their man off the dribble and then finish or dish. You need guys who can shoot the rock, and you need everybody to play as a unit on both ends of the court and go after every rebound like it´s the last piece of chicken on the platter. I actually think we have the ability to do most of that. Losing Theo hurts in the athleticism department.

[olldflame]

Offensively SCAR is correct. However, I am not surprised he forgot about the other end of the floor: Defense. If he is going to try to mimic Bennett's D than you REALLY need a tall fellow guarding the rim. That's why getting the 7'2" kid should be out #1 priority. Or at least a 6'10" athlete

It certainly looks like Brendan Newton is our top recruiting priority for 2017. He currently has our only open offer for the class. Elijah Cuffee and Jay Barber have already committed, and we won´t need to use a schollie for Barber.

Wasn´t UVA´s rim protector last year only 6´8¨?

Perhaps JK37 can speak to this, since he's been on the coaching side of this, but I don't believe that's true re: Barber and a scholarship. He'll count against the total if he signs a LOI. Ethan didn't count because he was a straight-up walk-on.

I think you are right on the rule, but I will be ...................................... if we end up using a scholarship for him when he can have his tuition legitimately paid as the child of an LU employee and live at home. I expect he won´t sign a LOI. Fact is, at present we don´t even have a schollie to offer him unless someone transfers out or is dropped.

[TDDance234]

It´s not just athleticism. You need some of that, but skill and team chemistry are at least as important. You need guys who can beat their man off the dribble and then finish or dish. You need guys who can shoot the rock, and you need everybody to play as a unit on both ends of the court and go after every rebound like it´s the last piece of chicken on the platter. I actually think we have the ability to do most of that. Losing Theo hurts in the athleticism department.

I agree that you need other things as well outside of athleticism. But the problem isn't necessarily on offense. We've got the guys who can shoot and can handle the rock a little. There is some skill there where we haven't really had "skill" guys over the last few years. Where we're going to struggle is defensively.

We don't have that rim protector that we've been talking about. We don't have the aforementioned athleticism to hang with some of these other guys out on the wing.

If we're going to be competitive this season, it's going to have to look a lot like Ritchie's first campaign offensively - a lot of 3's. Let's hope that Ritchie's truly adopted a defensive identity during his tenure at UVA and that we pick-up the pack-line quickly.

[Purple Haize]

Can we ban the use of the phrase Pack Line Defense?

[bballfan84]

Walkon tryouts are being held Sept. 30. It´s a long shot, but maybe there is a big guy on campus who can give us a few minutes a game off the bench. I remember when we talked about the brother of the Frazee triplets, Zeb, who is 6´11¨ and was dominating intermurals possibly joining the team when we had no depth in Ritchie´s initial season the first go-round. Zeb wasn´t interested because he had a full ride as an RA and felt that was what God wanted him to do.

http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm ... 78&TeamID=

If Zeb was 6'11, I'm 6'9.

I chortle audibly. QFT

Zeb was like 6'6 on a good day..couldnt have competed at that level. He was a 6'6 4/5 with limited athleticism..good player and good guy but no chance he was playing D1 ball at that height.