[PAmedic]

yeah- I've listened to all the interviews, some several times, and its never mentioned.

GMTM asked him if he thought he could keep Brew-pub and he pretty much dodged that one as well.

FWIW

[TDDance234]

Is there any chance Okon stays on?

[Hold My Own]

highly unlikely...I just hate to say never

[LUconn]

That's too bad. From what I understand RM has no problem getting gaurds but big men have been few and far between. A healthy flow of tall Nigerians would cure that.

[TDDance234]

That's too bad. From what I understand RM has no problem getting gaurds but big men have been few and far between. A healthy flow of tall Nigerians would cure that.

Which is sad because we have a stockpile of gaurds. I hate going in to this season in no better situation that last year, having to depend on Russ for big minutes. While Alex has a season under his belt now, he's not going to catch people by surprise. Russ or Lamont are going to have to pick things up a bit.

[PAmedic]

That's too bad. From what I understand RM has no problem getting gaurds but big men have been few and far between. A healthy flow of tall Nigerians would cure that.

actually- I believe the LOBO fan said that recruiting was NOT the issue- it was RETENTION and an unfortunate set of circumstances where talent did NOT pan out.

I'd have to double check that, though

[PAmedic]

yup- here's the quote

http://flamefans.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3997

RM was a disciplinarian at UNM and I don't see him changing his philosphy. He will not tolerate behavior unbecoming of a student athlete and will not be afraid to sit a player for an infraction (example: JR Giddens, McDonald's AA). That being said, he will also show grace and mercy to any student athlete who may make a mistake (example: Aaron Johnson, bar fight with local law enforcement).

The knock on RM's basketball style was that he tended to be guard oriented (live and die by the trey) and didn't recruit the big guys. I don't think he couldn't recruit them, he just had bad luck keeping them here and keeping them healthy.

When I would watch the games at the Pit, I would see a lot of players standing around waiting for someone to make something happen (most of the time). I don't blame this on the coach b/c RM has stated many times that the players were not doing what he would ask them to do on the court.

Time will tell, but if I were a Liberty fan (which I am now), I would be excited. Everyone needs a break and I think this is RM's! Rally around him and he will do good things for Liberty Basketball.

[Hold My Own]

We've never had that problem at Liberty before

[TDDance234]

We've never had that problem at Liberty before

Never.

[PAmedic]

would we say then, that keeping Brew is the priority, then finding a big man?

[TDDance234]

would we say then, that keeping Brew is the priority, then finding a big man?

I don't think we need to go out and find one -- we need to see what RM can get out of Russ, Lamont and Armon (granted, I don't think we can expect much out of AJ).

[jcmanson]

would we say then, that keeping Brew is the priority, then finding a big man?

I don't think we should label retaining any player currently on roster a "priority." Yes, it would be nice for next year to get all the guys back, but these are RD's guys, and you know RM wants to fill this roster with his guys. Not saying we shouldn't want to get these guys back for next year, we should, but it would only help us out for next year. We all know JB brought RM for more than next year. Sure, if we keep everyone we have a chance to fight for the Big South championship next year, but wouldn't you rather be fighting for it every year for the forseeable future? That's why RM is here. If guys leave, they leave. We will move forward with whoever buys into the program. Anyways, if some of these guys don't want to be on RM's team, then I don't want them on the team anyways. They wouldn't help us much.

[TDDance234]

would we say then, that keeping Brew is the priority, then finding a big man?

I don't think we should label retaining any player currently on roster a "priority." Yes, it would be nice for next year to get all the guys back, but these are RD's guys, and you know RM wants to fill this roster with his guys. Not saying we shouldn't want to get these guys back for next year, we should, but it would only help us out for next year. We all know JB brought RM for more than next year. Sure, if we keep everyone we have a chance to fight for the Big South championship next year, but wouldn't you rather be fighting for it every year for the forseeable future? That's why RM is here. If guys leave, they leave. We will move forward with whoever buys into the program. Anyways, if some of these guys don't want to be on RM's team, then I don't want them on the team anyways. They wouldn't help us much.

I think that's a very valid point but RM can't wait around to fill out the roster with his guys.. the team we have is built to win now. There is a solid base with BJ, Anthony and Baker to build around -- we don't want to lose our core now.

[jcmanson]

Of course we don't want to lose, but it's not realistic that many are going to leave. Sure, 1 or 2 or maybe even 3 will leave, but that's not enough to kill us. As it stands now, we will have 5 graduating seniors next year, our incoming recruiting class the following year will be critical. IMO the underclassmen (B.J., Tyler, Lamont, Justin, A.S.) are more important to keep around than the ones that will be seniors. In a perfect world everyone will come back, but if we hear of one or two that don't, no biggie. It will only hurt us for one year.

[Sly Fox]

And that was precisely the point of this thread. I was trying to lay out where we stood right now and where we need to be heading over the course of the next year.

We really need to find out if we will be having any defections sooner rather than later whether it be current players or the signees.

[TDDance234]

And that was precisely the point of this thread. I was trying to lay out where we stood right now and where we need to be heading over the course of the next year.

We really need to find out if we will be having any defections sooner rather than later whether it be current players or the signees.

This is where our resident current (& former) coaches chime in. How do you handle that? Do you give your players a time frame to let you know if they are def. coming back or not? I'd be interested to hear how that process goes down.

[Sly Fox]

The players have no reason to make decision until the end of the semester unless they know with certainty they want to head elsewhere. But with all pre-existing pecking orders gone with the old staff, everybody on the team should feel they have a clean slate and an opportunity for minutes right in front of them. That's why I really don't expect many defections.

Of course if a member of our old staff were to land a head job at a smaller school and could offer a starting opportunity right away to some of our current players who are further down on the depth chart, I could see that playing a role in the decision-making process.


These are all scenarios I've seen regularly in other coaching changes I've covered including Elijah Miller's ill-fated move to LU.

[olldflame]

I think it's highly unlikely any of our rising seniors will leave. I'm not sure about Alex's status, but both TJ and Brew have already used their redshirt/transfer year, so they would have to go D2 or NAIA. I really can't see either of them doing that. It would be more likely they would try to catch on with a pro team overseas, but that would, quite frankly, be stupid when you consider what they could accomplish next year as a backcourt tandom for LU. It's possible Alex could transfer to a D1 school, sit out a year and have 1 year left to play. Rell and Russell would definately be able to do the same, but they've both been here 3 years, and unless I'm mistaken they are kids who are here about as much for school as for BB, so I doubt they would transfer elsewhere to play 1 year.

The younger players would have more options, and could possibly benefit more with more time at a different school. I'm trying not to be negative, but IMHO there is at least 1 who would be better off transferring to a lower level, which would free up a schollie.

I agree with jcmanson that the 2008 recruiting class will be critical due to the number of seniors leaving. I hope RMK will not overreact at that point by bringing in a class of mostly transfers and/or JUCOS. I for one would be willing to support the team through a rebuilding year after losing that many seniors. My personal belief is that the way to build a solid, consistant winning program, especially at a place like LU, is with high school recruits with 4 years of elegibility.

[jcmanson]

I'm not sure who you are thinking of when you stated one could benefit from playing a level down, but I sure hope that B.J. doesn't leave. He could be a solid player during his career, and I think he is the one that is probably most likely to leave.

[Cider Jim]

Elijah Miller's ill-fated move to LU.

Sly and others, where is Elijah Miller these days?

[kel varson]

Dunton, it seems, didn't have much success recruiting local talent. Roanoke and Lynchburg have some outstanding basketball players. Maybe McKay will do better at recruiting in this area.

I happen to think it should be easier to recruit close to home.

[olldflame]

I'm not sure who you are thinking of when you stated one could benefit from playing a level down.

Let's just say it isn't Anthony, BJ, Justin, Lamont or Tyler.

[jcmanson]

I'm not sure who you are thinking of when you stated one could benefit from playing a level down.

Let's just say it isn't Anthony, BJ, Justin, Lamont or Tyler.

Well, that narrows it down.

[Sly Fox]

CJ - Last I heard about Elijah was when he appeared at Collin County JUCO after leaving LU. I have no idea if he's still playing ball anywhere. But I have a feeling he's probably at an NAIA somewhere (perhaps Texas College or Paul Quinn).