[LU Armchair coach]

You could say I have some skin in the game and was told what I said. On a side note I set in section 20 in Mckay’s arena hopefully I have a couple years left maybe we can chat next season.
No

[LU Armchair coach]

Oldflame soon ASOR will post an update to next years roster. Tic Toc Metheny is coming back. Jayvon probably about 90% not and Peter’s still has some hope. JC Shirer still has spot. Ihnen will be back also.

[olldflame]

Here is the update from Manson that Armchair mentioned

https://www.aseaofred.com/looking-at-li ... ll-roster/

He leaves it uncertain whether Metheny is returning.
Sounds about right as to Peter's prospects of returning being better than Maughmer's
He also says Shirer's return spot is "unsure". My guess is if we can find a transfer that fits our needs, they will get it.
Manson is seldom wrong on these things, but I believe he is mistaken on Ihnen needing another medical redshirt to return next year. He spent 5 years at Minnesota, with 2 medical redshirts. Played 3 years, but one of them was the Covid exempted season. Arrived at Liberty with 2 years of eligibility. He may have applied for another medical redshirt (I have never heard of anyone getting 3) but I don't think he needs it for the upcoming season.

[LUOrange]

The raising of the scholarship limit brings another question to mind. Does a D1 college basketball team actually need 15 players?

They certainly don't for games.
It's a good number to have for practice purposes, and walk-ons traditionally played a role in that. Player development for those who can't make the current rotation, but show future promise is certainly a thing.

But

there is already an issue with player frustration over lack of minutes. Expanding the number of scholarships will expand that frustration. As fans, we should be prepared for the reality that as a well run and well funded program, we will be providing education, coaching, elite strength and conditioning training, and outstanding nutrition every year to several players who will end up leaving us at the end of the season because there is not a realistic path to playing time for them here.

15 is way more than McKay needs. He likes to wear out 6, maybe 7. Everyone else just occupies a seat.

[LUOrange]

I have mixed feelings about all of the guys returning for extra years. I want them back, but I also want our new and younger guys to have an opportunity to play and not be wasted on the bench like Spell and Yu were. As far as Spell goes, I'd take a good guess that he's grad transfer, so kudos for him to loving and being loyal to Liberty when he probably should've transferred out last year. I don't fault Yu one bit for leaving. He apparently didn't become one of McKay's favorites, on top of the fact that McKay lacks the desire and ability to develop big men. Also, if we have to continue to have 5'10 guards, we might as well keep Metheny. But he and Porter should be the last guards under 6 foot for a while. Rant over.

[olldflame]

The raising of the scholarship limit brings another question to mind. Does a D1 college basketball team actually need 15 players?

They certainly don't for games.
It's a good number to have for practice purposes, and walk-ons traditionally played a role in that. Player development for those who can't make the current rotation, but show future promise is certainly a thing.

But

there is already an issue with player frustration over lack of minutes. Expanding the number of scholarships will expand that frustration. As fans, we should be prepared for the reality that as a well run and well funded program, we will be providing education, coaching, elite strength and conditioning training, and outstanding nutrition every year to several players who will end up leaving us at the end of the season because there is not a realistic path to playing time for them here.

15 is way more than McKay needs. He likes to wear out 6, maybe 7. Everyone else just occupies a seat.

This year was unusual. If you look at his history, his sweet spot seems to be about 8. Fact is, while some coaches tout going 10 or more deep when they are recruiting, very few actually do it.

[LU Armchair coach]

Even Manson (GREAT GUY) is a LU Armchair coach oldflame. He has been wrong several times while I have been reading the expert opinions of all the LU Armchair coaches predictions that post on forums.

[olldflame]

Posted on another thread, but for continuity, I'll add it here.
Metheny is returning.
I'm mostly happy about this, but part of me is also a bit concerned. I think Decker has a great future. Hope Ritchie can find more minutes for him so we can keep him around.

[olldflame]

Even Manson (GREAT GUY) is a LU Armchair coach oldflame. He has been wrong several times while I have been reading the expert opinions of all the LU Armchair coaches predictions that post on forums.

I'm gunna disagree with you on Jon Manson. He is a legitimate sports journalist, way more professional than a lot of fishrag beat reporters out there. We're lucky to have him around.

[LU Armchair coach]

Hey, I love Mr Manson. I just said he was another Armchair coach like the rest of us and has been wrong on some predictions. Just like me and you. What he gives it’s from the heart. But still a LU Armchair coach at LU.

[jcmanson]

I’ve asked a couple people that would know and they said Ihnen’s medical waiver hasn’t officially been approved. But there’s no reason not to believe that it will be. He should also be able to get 2 years back with a medical waiver, so he could potentially have 2 years of eligibility remaining.

[ballah09]

I’ve asked a couple people that would know and they said Ihnen’s medical waiver hasn’t officially been approved. But there’s no reason not to believe that it will be. He should also be able to get 2 years back with a medical waiver, so he could potentially have 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Anything on Peter?


According to social media we reached out to Roy Jones Jr (Hokies) and Gavin Walsh (Binghamton).

[LU Armchair coach]

Peter is going to pursue another year and looks like from what i have been told it could be in the courts. I would think something would have to be done before the end of May. Hey, I am just another LU Armchair coach that's just guessing.

[jcmanson]

I’ve asked a couple people that would know and they said Ihnen’s medical waiver hasn’t officially been approved. But there’s no reason not to believe that it will be. He should also be able to get 2 years back with a medical waiver, so he could potentially have 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Anything on Peter?


According to social media we reached out to Roy Jones Jr (Hokies) and Gavin Walsh (Binghamton).

Peter is more likely to win his appeal than Maughmer. Both are still up in the air. Who knows what the answer will be and who knows when we will find out. Probably best to plan without them and it just be the cherry on top if either/both are back.

For now we are looking like this:
Porter
Metheny
Cleveland
Aquino
Smith
Ihnen (very likely)
Decker
Yates
Blair
Carter
Drain
Grimes
Shirer (likely returns)

Of course something could change with someone on the above list but looks like those 13 are pretty much locked. That leaves 2 spots with Peter and Maughmer as potentials. I’m thinking we add at least 1 through portal, maybe a 2nd.

[ballah09]

Players we’ve contacted so far…

Ryan Jones Jr- Forward (Virginia Tech)
Grant Walsh- Forward (Binghamton)
David Simon- Center (San Diego)
RJ Johnson- Guard (Charleston Southern)
Mikhail Pocknett- Forward (King College)
Ethan Duncan- Guard (Lubbock Christian)

[olldflame]

Players we’ve contacted so far…

Roy Jones Jr- Guard (Virginia Tech)
Grant Walsh- Forward (Binghamton)
David Simon- Center (San Diego)
RJ Johnson- Guard (Charleston Southern)
Mikhail Pocknett- Forward (King College)
Ethan Duncan- Guard (Lubbock Christian)

Looking at the Hokies Roster, it appears you may be referring to FR Ryan Jones Jr. Who is not a guard, but a 6'8" 240 PF. Hurt this year but a 4 star out of HS

Grant Walsh is a 6'8" PF who averaged a double double (11p and 11r)

Ethan Duncan sounds/looks like a Metheny clone. Made 111 3s this year at a 44% clip

Simon is 6'11" 190 from Canada. Limited play as a FR due to injury.

[prototype]

Players we’ve contacted so far…

Roy Jones Jr- Guard (Virginia Tech)
Grant Walsh- Forward (Binghamton)
David Simon- Center (San Diego)
RJ Johnson- Guard (Charleston Southern)
Mikhail Pocknett- Forward (King College)
Ethan Duncan- Guard (Lubbock Christian)

Looking at the Hokies Roster, it appears you may be referring to FR Ryan Jones Jr. Who is not a guard, but a 6'8" 240 PF. Hurt this year but a 4 star out of HS

Grant Walsh is a 8'8" PF who averaged a double double (11p and 11r)

Ethan Duncan sounds/looks like a Metheny clone. Made 111 3s this year at a 44% clip

Simon is 6'11" 190 from Canada. Limited play as a FR due to injury.

Man - problem solved a 8'8" Power Forward??? Good luck to our opponents...

[Purple Haize]

I’ve asked a couple people that would know and they said Ihnen’s medical waiver hasn’t officially been approved. But there’s no reason not to believe that it will be. He should also be able to get 2 years back with a medical waiver, so he could potentially have 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Anything on Peter?


According to social media we reached out to Roy Jones Jr (Hokies) and Gavin Walsh (Binghamton).

Bringing in a boxer will certainly toughen the team up on defense

[JK37]

Isn’t he like 5’11” though? Another undersized guard will just tick off @ECC29, no matter how many WBA titles he’s won.

[olldflame]

Isn’t he like 5’11” though? Another undersized guard will just tick off @ECC29, no matter how many WBA titles he’s won.

Roy actually was a pretty good baller, but besides being small, he's a bit long in the tooth and also ineligible because he played pro ball in the USBL.

[olldflame]

JC Shirer is an interesting situation. If he remains on the roster, he clearly has zero chance of ever making any kind of significant contribution on the court during his remaining time of eligibility. It appears however, that he is a great culture fit and popular with his teammates. He no doubt works hard in practice and is athletic enough to be viable "cannon fodder". Are these things important enough to justify a roster spot which now could go to a scholarship caliber athlete? If so, IMHO they need to go ahead and give him a scholarship. With as many books as his mom has sold, I doubt paying his way (and his football walk-on brother's) has been a struggle for his family, but with the current rules and Liberty's resources, if having him on the team is more valuable than a more talented player, he deserves it.

[LU Armchair coach]

His brother isn’t here. I think he has been gone at least one year and I can’t remember what college his dad Jerry told me he went to.

[olldflame]

His brother isn’t here. I think he has been gone at least one year and I can’t remember what college his dad Jerry told me he went to.

Update noted.

[LUOrange]

I'm just glad Jr. McKay graduated.

[paradox]

Primary organizer behind several McKay family hairstyling controversies including his own. Per source.