[olldflame]

Colin Porter sitting it out.
Josh Smith gets the start.
Ihnen not expected to play.

[flamehunter]

All Flames in the first half. 11-15 from three, 55-14 at the half.

[olldflame]

Up 55-14 at the half.
Most encouraging stat. Smith played 12 minutes and had 8 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
We made 11 of 15 3s (73%)

Ritchie only went 8 deep, but I certainly expect that to change in the 2nd half.

[olldflame]

Final score 92-50

Really sloppy play down the stretch enabled Coppin to cut down what was a 50 plus lead.

Decker with 20
Smith and Harper with 16 each.

Didn't really clear the bench til about 5:00 to go

[olldflame]

Another amazing stat line for Cleveland:

8 points
7 rebounds
13 assists (PR)
4 blocks

[Purple Haize]

Another amazing stat line for Cleveland:

8 points
7 rebounds
13 assists (PR)
4 blocks

I’m going to be in a minority here but it doesn’t look like he’s improved at all. Sure you will see these quirky stat lines but watching him play it almost appears as though he has regressed. A prime example is his shooting. His free throw shooting is…adventurous. Hes not developed even a spot up jumper. I’m just wondering if he’s reached his ceiling? Not saying it’s a bad ceiling but just wondering

[ECC29]

The only improvement I see in Cleveland so far is lesser turnovers. He can’t shoot and playing against 6’10-6’11, he is not going to drive the ball to the hoop that much. Nor will he post a lot of people. He plays gritty. That’s his skill set.

[olldflame]

The only improvement I see in Cleveland so far is lesser turnovers. He can’t shoot and playing against 6’10-6’11, he is not going to drive the ball to the hoop that much. Nor will he post a lot of people. He plays gritty. That’s his skill set.

I am still baffled at how we have guys here who bend over backwards to throw shade at one of the best all around players ever to wear a Liberty uniform.

"Gritty" does not produce 8.4 assists/game (3rd in the NCAA). That requires elite floor vision, ball handling and passing skill. He also has elite athleticism, which enables him to guard 4 positions if called upon, as well as lead us in rebounding. Ask some of those 6'10-11" players you mentioned if they relish the prospect of matching up against him. You say he can't post up or drive to the hoop and yet somehow he is shooting 63% .................................... posting up and driving to the hoop. He could score way more if he wasn't so unselfish.

Oh yeah. He also has elite grit.

[ECC29]

You are over extending your view to say he has elite athleticism. When it comes to the basketball, he is nowhere elite athleticism. You are a true fan and not objective. I’m laughing when you label him with elite athleticism. He is not scoring that much is beachside he is limited. He has no outside shot. Most of his shots are near the basket is the reason for high percentage. Let me repeat, He has no outside shot is the reason he has low points average not because he shoots less. He should shoot less. He can’t shoot. He has good assist numbers. I give him that credit.

[ECC29]

The only improvement I see in Cleveland so far is lesser turnovers. He can’t shoot and playing against 6’10-6’11, he is not going to drive the ball to the hoop that much. Nor will he post a lot of people. He plays gritty. That’s his skill set.

I am still baffled at how we have guys here who bend over backwards to throw shade at one of the best all around players ever to wear a Liberty uniform.

"Gritty" does not produce 8.4 assists/game (3rd in the NCAA). That requires elite floor vision, ball handling and passing skill. He also has elite athleticism, which enables him to guard 4 positions if called upon, as well as lead us in rebounding. Ask some of those 6'10-11" players you mentioned if they relish the prospect of matching up against him. You say he can't post up or drive to the hoop and yet somehow he is shooting 63% .................................... posting up and driving to the hoop. He could score way more if he wasn't so unselfish.

Oh yeah. He also has elite grit.

You pull up his stats is laughable. Who did the team play half of the schedule so far. Against teams in the NCCAA, NAIA, D2 teams. Those are the games Cleveland boosted his stats. Please…..

[Humble_Opinion]

Is his athleticism "elite"? No... it's not. Is he athletic though? Yeah, he absolutely is. I agree with you that he is very gritty, but there are lots of gritty players in the NBA and the hall-of-fame. When it comes to offensive prowess, Cleveland absolutely can get to the basket and score. He doesn't have a spot-up jump shot, but he has taken the time to develop a decent hook shot and he's quick enough to out-maneuver larger players for positioning in getting to the basket. He's not going to put up gaudy scoring numbers, but he is pretty efficient. I would like to see some improvement at the charity stripe, but I will take less turnovers on offense as a plus. When you watch him in game, he never takes a play off and it's clear that he has an ability to see plays develop that provide us with the best chance to score. Cleveland is a swiss army knife and a hugely valuable player to this team. Make no mistake about it.

[Purple Haize]

Is his athleticism "elite"? No... it's not. Is he athletic though? Yeah, he absolutely is. I agree with you that he is very gritty, but there are lots of gritty players in the NBA and the hall-of-fame. When it comes to offensive prowess, Cleveland absolutely can get to the basket and score. He doesn't have a spot-up jump shot, but he has taken the time to develop a decent hook shot and he's quick enough to out-maneuver larger players for positioning in getting to the basket. He's not going to put up gaudy scoring numbers, but he is pretty efficient. I would like to see some improvement at the charity stripe, but I will take less turnovers on offense as a plus. When you watch him in game, he never takes a play off and it's clear that he has an ability to see plays develop that provide us with the best chance to score. Cleveland is a swiss army knife and a hugely valuable player to this team. Make no mistake about it.

He is absolutely a player I’d love to have on my team. He is going to end up with an incredible career here at LU. I’m just pointing out that it appears he has reached his ceiling. It’s not a bad ceiling but it is what it is.

[olldflame]

My use of the term "elite" referring to Zach's athleticism seems to have caused a bit of a kerfuffle. It's not something that is really measurable, and so it is always going to be subjective and needs to be taken in context. Is he an elite athlete relative to, let's say, NBA players between 6'6" and 6'8"? Of course not. He doesn't play in the NBA, or even a power conference. But when you compare him to mid major athletes who play a similar position (most of whom are 6'8" plus), I don't think it's a stretch. I will guarantee you he is a matchup nightmare for C-USA coaches.

Let me state again that athleticism aside, my main problem with the initial negative post was saying that his only strength was being "gritty", which was an absolutely ludicrous thing to say about one of the most versatile and skilled players in the country.

[Purple Haize]

My use of the term "elite" referring to Zach's athleticism seems to have caused a bit of a kerfuffle. It's not something that is really measurable, and so it is always going to be subjective and needs to be taken in context. Is he an elite athlete relative to, let's say, NBA players between 6'6" and 6'8"? Of course not. He doesn't play in the NBA, or even a power conference. But when you compare him to mid major athletes who play a similar position (most of whom are 6'8" plus), I don't think it's a stretch. I will guarantee you he is a matchup nightmare for C-USA coaches.

Let me state again that athleticism aside, my main problem with the initial negative post was saying that his only strength was being "gritty", which was an absolutely ludicrous thing to say about one of the most versatile and skilled players in the country.

Taelon Peter is an elite athlete. It’s why he’s in the NBA

[LU Armchair coach]

Yes, Taelon Peter is absolutely an elite athlete — just maybe not the kind of “built-in-a-lab NBA prototype” people love to exaggerate about. What he was is a guy who knew exactly what he did well, didn’t waste time pretending to be something he wasn’t, and squeezed every drop out of the tools he had. Crazy idea, right? Stay in your lane, excel at it, and opportunities tend to show up. And sure, having an extra set of eyeballs around never hurts. Visibility is visibility. But let’s be honest — extra attention only matters if the player is actually good enough to capitalize, and Taelon did exactly that. It’s not like anyone’s getting handed a pro shot just because someone’s dad is sitting courtside; at best, that opens a window. Taelon’s the one who climbed through it. Don’t get me wrong — his story is genuinely incredible, and I’m proud to know him. But credit where it belongs: opportunity may knock, but he’s the one who answered.