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 John_6_47
Posts
#666491
Feel free to correct me, but is something like this realistic for 2026?

1. Zach Cleveland
2. Kaden Metheny
3. Colin Porter
4. Taelon Peter
5. Isaiah Ihnen
6. Owen Aquino
7. Jayvon Maughmer
8. Josh Smith
9. Brett Decker
10. Curtis Blair
11. Zander Carter
12. Andrew Grimes
13. Zander Yates
14. Kai Yu
15. ?

Maybe a couple guys transfer/we add people.
By olldflame
Registration Days Posts
#666492
John_6_47 wrote: March 15th, 2025, 2:25 pm Feel free to correct me, but is something like this realistic for 2026?

1. Zach Cleveland
2. Kaden Metheny
3. Colin Porter
4. Taelon Peter
5. Isaiah Ihnen
6. Owen Aquino
7. Jayvon Maughmer
8. Josh Smith
9. Brett Decker
10. Curtis Blair
11. Zander Carter
12. Andrew Grimes
13. Zander Yates
14. Kai Yu
15. ?

Maybe a couple guys transfer/we add people.
So you have Bryson Spell and Will Gibson not returning.

Quite possible.

Maughhmer and Peter both returning is a pretty big longshot. NCAA might grant their petition, but it will more likely end up in court.

A bit surprisingly to me, Metheny is currently planning on foregoing his last year and joining the family real estate business. Totally subject to change, and whether or not we win tonight could play a big factor.

T.J. Drain, the other HS player we signed in November needs to be on that list.

Everything else being the same, let's say Metheny decides to come back (something that probably is more likely if we don't make the NCAA) and Javon and Taelon lose their petition. Add Drain, and we are at 13. That leaves us with 2 scholarships. Maybe we keep Gibson and bring in a transfer.

If none of those 3 are back, we are back in the portal with a vengence.
User avatar
By Ill flame
Posts
#666498
Isn’t Gibson a true freshman this year? Why is there all of this talk about pushing him out? Seems kind of early to decide he’s not worth keeping around.
By olldflame
Registration Days Posts
#666500
Ill flame wrote: March 15th, 2025, 4:10 pm Isn’t Gibson a true freshman this year? Why is there all of this talk about pushing him out? Seems kind of early to decide he’s not worth keeping around.
We had a FR who redshirted last year, Jaylen Davis, transfer out without playing a minute. Not sure if it was his idea or not. Sometimes it is better for all concerned to get a player somewhere where his talents are more needed. He is leading Cedarville in scoring at 14.3ppg. Not sure that is the case with Will, but IMHO, minutes here are going to be hard to come by for him.
User avatar
By prototype
Registration Days Posts
#666524
Ill flame wrote: March 15th, 2025, 4:10 pm Isn’t Gibson a true freshman this year? Why is there all of this talk about pushing him out? Seems kind of early to decide he’s not worth keeping around.
Have you seen him shoot? Watch him warmup... He's not a D1 player. IMO
By olldflame
Registration Days Posts
#666539
prototype wrote: March 16th, 2025, 12:30 am
Ill flame wrote: March 15th, 2025, 4:10 pm Isn’t Gibson a true freshman this year? Why is there all of this talk about pushing him out? Seems kind of early to decide he’s not worth keeping around.
Have you seen him shoot? Watch him warmup... He's not a D1 player. IMO
In his defense, I don't think perimeter shooting is a big part of his game. His HS highlight videos feature a lot of pretty nifty and creative finishes in the paint, which of course all go in. 8), not a ton of 3s or dunks.
By olldflame
Registration Days Posts
#666567
Ill flame wrote: March 16th, 2025, 12:40 pm At his height it sounds like he’ll need to develop into a venzant/maughmar level defender if he wants to get serious minutes then.
I don't think he has that kind of athleticism. My guess is his best bet would be to improve his perimeter skills and have a game more like Kyle Rode.
User avatar
By LUOrange
Registration Days Posts
#666568
olldflame wrote: March 17th, 2025, 7:00 am
Ill flame wrote: March 16th, 2025, 12:40 pm At his height it sounds like he’ll need to develop into a venzant/maughmar level defender if he wants to get serious minutes then.
I don't think he has that kind of athleticism. My guess is his best bet would be to improve his perimeter skills and have a game more like Kyle Rode.
It was dumb to burn the kid's redshirt. But he's another undersized favorite of McKay. IMO, his best bet is to build his upper body strength to be a Myo-type defender. His O game needs some work from his scrubs minutes, which aren't really indicative of his protentional. Which is true of every athlete on the pine that haven't had much of an opportunity to play.
User avatar
By LUOrange
Registration Days Posts
#666569
John_6_47 wrote: March 15th, 2025, 2:25 pm Feel free to correct me, but is something like this realistic for 2026?

1. Zach Cleveland
2. Kaden Metheny
3. Colin Porter
4. Taelon Peter
5. Isaiah Ihnen
6. Owen Aquino
7. Jayvon Maughmer
8. Josh Smith
9. Brett Decker
10. Curtis Blair
11. Zander Carter
12. Andrew Grimes
13. Zander Yates
14. Kai Yu
15. ?

Maybe a couple guys transfer/we add people.
I love our seniors, but TBH, we have guys coming in and on the bench that deserve an opportunity to play as well. So I've got mixed feelings about extended eligibility. I think you can make an argument that 5th & 6th years for McThree, Rode & Shiloh all held up development of Spell, Blair, Peebles, Venzant, etc.

Personally, I want to see Yu, Blair & Decker play more. I expect Spell to transfer, but if he doesn't I'd like to see him play. On top of having Ihnan and Josh Smith for the fall, we also have two 6'9 freshmen coming in who all need adequate development. Heck, McKay maybe out of his depth with all of that height on the team.
User avatar
By prototype
Registration Days Posts
#666570
LUOrange wrote: March 17th, 2025, 11:23 am
John_6_47 wrote: March 15th, 2025, 2:25 pm Feel free to correct me, but is something like this realistic for 2026?

1. Zach Cleveland
2. Kaden Metheny
3. Colin Porter
4. Taelon Peter
5. Isaiah Ihnen
6. Owen Aquino
7. Jayvon Maughmer
8. Josh Smith
9. Brett Decker
10. Curtis Blair
11. Zander Carter
12. Andrew Grimes
13. Zander Yates
14. Kai Yu
15. ?

Maybe a couple guys transfer/we add people.
I love our seniors, but TBH, we have guys coming in and on the bench that deserve an opportunity to play as well. So I've got mixed feelings about extended eligibility. I think you can make an argument that 5th & 6th years for McThree, Rode & Shiloh all held up development of Spell, Blair, Peebles, Venzant, etc.

Personally, I want to see Yu, Blair & Decker play more. I expect Spell to transfer, but if he doesn't I'd like to see him play. On top of having Ihnan and Josh Smith for the fall, we also have two 6'9 freshmen coming in who all need adequate development. Heck, McKay maybe out of his depth with all of that height on the team.
I understand your perspective, but if you have talent, you keep and play them. The landscape has changed from what it was 10 years ago—there’s no longer a guaranteed path for player development on either side. We could invest three years developing Yu, only for him to transfer elsewhere. On the flip side, we could spend three years developing him, and he still might not be ready to contribute, while we could have had two or three players like Peters who are ready to make an impact.

In my opinion, Yu will never be at the level required to play here. He has size, but he’s slow, and after two years, he still looks raw—which isn’t a good sign. Gibson won’t be a contributor either; his shooting mechanics are poor and he’s not quick enough to compensate for his lack of size.

Spell would be better suited for a lower-level program right now. As for Shirer, I don’t see him staying given the new structure where all 15 players can be on scholarship—I can’t see McKay using one of those spots on him.

On the positive side, I see real potential in Decker and Blair. With continued practice and development, I expect them to earn more minutes next year.

Ideally, we can get all the seniors back next year and bring in one strong transfer. As for the other freshman not listed, it depends—either he steps up, or we consider another transfer who can contribute right away.
User avatar
By jbock13
Registration Days Posts
#666572
LU Armchair coach wrote:LU Armchair coaches at best!!!!!
If you have nothing constructive to add, go away.
prototype, Purple Haize, flamehunter and 2 others liked this
User avatar
By LU Armchair coach
Posts
#666573
I enjoy reading these post from LU Armchair coaches that's oblivious about LU MBB. So entertaining. This game in Seattle will be big for the LUMBB and the current make-up of this team,

Play Basketball Play Basketball
By flamehunter
Registration Days Posts
#666576
LU Armchair coach wrote: March 17th, 2025, 3:30 pm I enjoy reading these post from LU Armchair coaches that's oblivious about LU MBB. So entertaining. This game in Seattle will be big for the LUMBB and the current make-up of this team,

Play Basketball Play Basketball
Says the guy who predicted this was Coach McKay's last year here. He was going on to bigger and better things!
jmclaughlin, prototype liked this
By olldflame
Registration Days Posts
#666577
prototype wrote: March 17th, 2025, 12:06 pm
LUOrange wrote: March 17th, 2025, 11:23 am
John_6_47 wrote: March 15th, 2025, 2:25 pm Feel free to correct me, but is something like this realistic for 2026?

1. Zach Cleveland
2. Kaden Metheny
3. Colin Porter
4. Taelon Peter
5. Isaiah Ihnen
6. Owen Aquino
7. Jayvon Maughmer
8. Josh Smith
9. Brett Decker
10. Curtis Blair
11. Zander Carter
12. Andrew Grimes
13. Zander Yates
14. Kai Yu
15. ?

Maybe a couple guys transfer/we add people.
I love our seniors, but TBH, we have guys coming in and on the bench that deserve an opportunity to play as well. So I've got mixed feelings about extended eligibility. I think you can make an argument that 5th & 6th years for McThree, Rode & Shiloh all held up development of Spell, Blair, Peebles, Venzant, etc.

Personally, I want to see Yu, Blair & Decker play more. I expect Spell to transfer, but if he doesn't I'd like to see him play. On top of having Ihnan and Josh Smith for the fall, we also have two 6'9 freshmen coming in who all need adequate development. Heck, McKay maybe out of his depth with all of that height on the team.
I understand your perspective, but if you have talent, you keep and play them. The landscape has changed from what it was 10 years ago—there’s no longer a guaranteed path for player development on either side. We could invest three years developing Yu, only for him to transfer elsewhere. On the flip side, we could spend three years developing him, and he still might not be ready to contribute, while we could have had two or three players like Peters who are ready to make an impact.

In my opinion, Yu will never be at the level required to play here. He has size, but he’s slow, and after two years, he still looks raw—which isn’t a good sign. Gibson won’t be a contributor either; his shooting mechanics are poor and he’s not quick enough to compensate for his lack of size.

Spell would be better suited for a lower-level program right now. As for Shirer, I don’t see him staying given the new structure where all 15 players can be on scholarship—I can’t see McKay using one of those spots on him.

On the positive side, I see real potential in Decker and Blair. With continued practice and development, I expect them to earn more minutes next year.

Ideally, we can get all the seniors back next year and bring in one strong transfer. As for the other freshman not listed, it depends—either he steps up, or we consider another transfer who can contribute right away.
I personally think we need to keep Yu around another year. Remember Blake Preston? He redshirted as a FR, and then was still not ready to contribute as a R-FR, but the next year he became a part of the rotation and eventually a starter.
User avatar
By jmclaughlin
Posts
#666579
flamehunter wrote: March 17th, 2025, 4:00 pm
LU Armchair coach wrote: March 17th, 2025, 3:30 pm I enjoy reading these post from LU Armchair coaches that's oblivious about LU MBB. So entertaining. This game in Seattle will be big for the LUMBB and the current make-up of this team,

Play Basketball Play Basketball
Says the guy who predicted this was Coach McKay's last year here. He was going on to bigger and better things!
Leave trolls under the bridge. Do not feed them.
User avatar
By LU Armchair coach
Posts
#666587
flamehunter wrote: March 17th, 2025, 4:00 pm
LU Armchair coach wrote: March 17th, 2025, 3:30 pm I enjoy reading these post from LU Armchair coaches that's oblivious about LU MBB. So entertaining. This game in Seattle will be big for the LUMBB and the current make-up of this team,

Play Basketball Play Basketball
Says the guy who predicted this was Coach McKay's last year here. He was going on to bigger and better things!
Season not over yet and this current roster could be a domino effect either way. HCRM signed an extension and has a new agent. All this really means is he has more money coming in and a bigger buyout for LU. Until the portal closes one really don’t know.

Play Basketball Play Basketball
By flamehunter
Registration Days Posts
#666591
jmclaughlin wrote: March 17th, 2025, 5:07 pm
flamehunter wrote: March 17th, 2025, 4:00 pm
LU Armchair coach wrote: March 17th, 2025, 3:30 pm I enjoy reading these post from LU Armchair coaches that's oblivious about LU MBB. So entertaining. This game in Seattle will be big for the LUMBB and the current make-up of this team,

Play Basketball Play Basketball
Says the guy who predicted this was Coach McKay's last year here. He was going on to bigger and better things!
Leave trolls under the bridge. Do not feed them.
Point taken.
User avatar
By prototype
Registration Days Posts
#666845
olldflame wrote: March 17th, 2025, 4:08 pm
prototype wrote: March 17th, 2025, 12:06 pm
LUOrange wrote: March 17th, 2025, 11:23 am

I love our seniors, but TBH, we have guys coming in and on the bench that deserve an opportunity to play as well. So I've got mixed feelings about extended eligibility. I think you can make an argument that 5th & 6th years for McThree, Rode & Shiloh all held up development of Spell, Blair, Peebles, Venzant, etc.

Personally, I want to see Yu, Blair & Decker play more. I expect Spell to transfer, but if he doesn't I'd like to see him play. On top of having Ihnan and Josh Smith for the fall, we also have two 6'9 freshmen coming in who all need adequate development. Heck, McKay maybe out of his depth with all of that height on the team.
I understand your perspective, but if you have talent, you keep and play them. The landscape has changed from what it was 10 years ago—there’s no longer a guaranteed path for player development on either side. We could invest three years developing Yu, only for him to transfer elsewhere. On the flip side, we could spend three years developing him, and he still might not be ready to contribute, while we could have had two or three players like Peters who are ready to make an impact.

In my opinion, Yu will never be at the level required to play here. He has size, but he’s slow, and after two years, he still looks raw—which isn’t a good sign. Gibson won’t be a contributor either; his shooting mechanics are poor and he’s not quick enough to compensate for his lack of size.

Spell would be better suited for a lower-level program right now. As for Shirer, I don’t see him staying given the new structure where all 15 players can be on scholarship—I can’t see McKay using one of those spots on him.

On the positive side, I see real potential in Decker and Blair. With continued practice and development, I expect them to earn more minutes next year.

Ideally, we can get all the seniors back next year and bring in one strong transfer. As for the other freshman not listed, it depends—either he steps up, or we consider another transfer who can contribute right away.
I personally think we need to keep Yu around another year. Remember Blake Preston? He redshirted as a FR, and then was still not ready to contribute as a R-FR, but the next year he became a part of the rotation and eventually a starter.
He's isn't as good as Preston. You can just tell that he's not a D1 player...
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