Longwood game

[SCAR]

I am watching Rudolph the rednosed Reindeer on TIVO right now. Basically we played like we belonged in the Land of Misfit toys! We had a water pistol that squirted Jelly, and train with square wheels etc. But you know how Rudolph turned out. As the little doe Clarrisse sang, "There's Always Tomorrow."...That reindeer training coach would be fired today btw. He tells the kids not to let Rudolph play in any more reindeer games once they see his red nose. Anyway I will reiterate that I think this team will be fine.

[LUStudent]

Also LUStudent did you sit near me during the game ? Some of your thoughts on this thread sounded familiar.[/quote]

Uh oh, now I'm embarassed. I stood in the front row right behind the bench. You might have heard me yelling at the officials. Maybe it was the pressing comments that sounded firmiliar in my post. I was wearin a black shirt and a black hat.

[SCAR]

Yep, you were sitting near me! One of you guys asked the ref what year he graduated from Longwood. Funny stuff!

[Sly Fox]

Does anybody really ever graduate from Longwood? ;D

[PAmedic]

somehow I knew Mr Sunshine would come in here and put this into perspective. thanks SCAR. lets hope you're right about the conf schedule- at least the WU game!

(and the Medic house was busy watching Rudolph last night as well, my brotha from anotha motha.)

[guest forever]

The coaches and fans are going to have to have a lot of patience with Russell Monroe. The potential to be a very good Big South low post player is there but he needs a lot of work. I think a lack of playing time as a freshman last year is really showing right now. Remember, he comes out of the Butternut homeschool program...not exactly the hotbed of college basketball recruiting.

Scar, you are probably the best person to comment on this, but the other thing I notice about Monroe is that he needs to develop a mean streak on the court. I don't mean with the officials or dirty play, but more of a presence that sends a message that "the interior is mine and don't come in here or you will pay a price." Honestly I think that lack of presence or attitude has always been somewhat of a problem with athletics in general at LU. I see it in football also. Just an observation... any thoughts ?

[LUconn]

guest said:

Scar, you are probably the best person to comment on this, but the other thing I notice about Monroe is that he needs to develop a mean streak on the court. I don't mean with the officials or dirty play, but more of a presence that sends a message that "the interior is mine and don't come in here or you will pay a price." Honestly I think that lack of presence or attitude has always been somewhat of a problem with athletics in general at LU. I see it in football also. Just an observation... any thoughts ?

You know, it's funny that you mention that. I thought I saw it at the UVA game. In the 2nd half Monroe came out of nowhere on a UVA fast break and swatted a layup. It looked clean to me but the dude fell to the ground and got hurt, the crowd went crazy and that's when Leitio got that Technical. During the whole fiasco I was watching Russel and he seemed very unapologetic like he was glad, much different than his normal demeanor. I thought it was great and hoped maybe this was a new attitude he developed and it was something we could take out of that horrible loss. Maybe it was just a flash in the pan though.

[PAmedic]

Rock Royer mentality needed here

[PAmedic]

Flames Fall To Lancers In First Meetings Since 1988

November 30, 2005 · Farmville, Va.

Liberty and Longwood renewed an old rivalry on Wednesday evening and the Lancers picked up right where they left off as Longwood used a key first half stretch to open up a lead it would never relinquish en route to an 88-75 victory over Liberty at Willett Hall.

The contest marked the 20th meeting between the two programs, but the first since February 8, 1988, with Longwood leading the overall series 14-5 in the previous 19 meetings, including a 9-1 mark in Willett Hall.

The contest was a tight one over the first several minutes of action as Larry Blair (So., G, Charlotte, N.C.) stole a pass at mid-court and broke free for a fast break dunk to give the Flames (1-3) an 8-6 edge at the 16:46 mark.

However, a lay-up by Lamar Barrett just 17 seconds later started an 11-0 run for Longwood (2-4), while the Lancers held the Flames to just two field goals and a pair of free throws over a 10-minute stretch, outscoring the Flames 26-6 during the run as a lay-up by Kirk Williams capped off the run and gave Longwood a 32-14 lead with 5:12 left to play in the first half.

Russell Monroe (So., C, Alma, Mich.) scored back-to-back baskets, including a dunk off a feed from Damien Hubbard (Jr., F, Boyce, Va.) at the 4:20 mark to trim the lead back to 14 points, 32-18, but that would be as close as the Flames would get over the rest of the half as the Lancers headed into the locker room with a 44-25 lead.

Longwood slightly extended its lead over the first several minutes of the second half to open up a 20-point edge and led by as much as 25 points, 72-47, on a lay-up by Maurice Sumter with 7:34 left to play in the game.

Blair was able to connect on a jumper on the following possession but suffered an injury on the play as his head hit the ground after the basket, leaving the team’s leading scorer to sit on the sidelines the rest of the contest.

The Flames attempted to rally around their fallen leader as a three-pointer by Evan Risher (So., G, Fort Worth, Texas) cut the lead to 13 points, 78-65, with 2:33 left to play, but the Lancers sank 15-of-16 free throws over the final five minutes of the contest to seal the victory.

The Flames shot 53.4 percent from the field (31-of-58); however, the team committed 21 turnovers and allowed the Lancers nearly three times as many trips to the charity stripe on the evening as Longwood converted on 27-of-35 free throw attempts to aid in the win.

”I have to give a lot of credit to Longwood this evening and the effort that they gave in the first half,” stated head coach Randy Dunton. “Obviously, the things that stand out in my mind are our turnovers and their rebounding.”

“There is so much inexperience in our group and Longwood is just the opposite as they are a group that has been together for quite a while and is battle tested. We can certainly learn a lot from this contest.”

“On a positive note, I thought there was some good effort by our younger players this evening in the second half,” continued Dunton. “Tonight was a typical road game in Division I basketball and it proved that it is difficult to win on the road.”

The Flames placed four players in double figures as Blair led the squad for the fourth-straight game with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while Eric Bigby netted a season-high 13 points on a 6-of-7 performance from the floor. Risher came off the bench to score a season-high 12 points, while Monroe posted his second double-figure performance with 10 points.

The Flames return to action on Friday evening when they host cross-town opponent Lynchburg College in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The contest is set to tip-off at 7 p.m. in the Vines Center.

[guest forever]

LUconn...that's exactly the type of attitude I'm talking about. Some people refer to it as a linebackers mentality.

PAmedic...I never had the opportunity to meet Rock Royer but I understand he was a great man.

[PAmedic]

I'll let CHRIS assist in the self-torture here:

Longwood beats Liberty for second Division I victory

By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
December 1, 2005

FARMVILLE - The indignity of losing badly to what was one of major college basketball's worst programs a year ago was bad enough for Liberty University's basketball players Wednesday night. The taunting just made it worse.
"You are flamers!" a rowdy group of Longwood University students screamed during a second-half timeout. It was an altogether strange feeling for these fans, so accustomed to watching losses pile up at Willett Hall. Instead, they reveled in the Lancers' easy 88-75 victory against the Flames.

Only once since starting the four-year process of jumping from Division II to Division I had Longwood beaten a fellow DI school, rallying to top Howard here last December. Longwood, which was 1-30 last season, lost its next 23 games against Division I opponents before whipping the Flames.

"We were ready," Longwood coach Mike Gillian said.

And Liberty most certainly was not. Five nights ago at Rupp Arena, the Flames battled seventh-ranked Kentucky hard for a half and only trailed by nine at halftime.

Longwood (2-4) outworked and outmuscled Liberty (1-3) from the start and took a double-digit lead 12 minutes into the game. The Flames never pulled within single digits.

"There's so much inexperience in our group," Liberty coach Randy Dunton said. "I think they have a picture of what it takes to go to war and compete in a basketball game, and it's not accurate. You learn that through experience."

Michael Jefferson led the Lancers with 22 points, five assists and six rebounds. He was nearly unstoppable, even taking Liberty guard Larry Blair one-on-one and blowing past him for two first-half baskets. When Kirk Williams, who had 17 points, scored a basket and converted a foul shot with 1:46 left in the first half to put the Lancers ahead 42-21, Jefferson said he could sense the buzz in the building.

The fans were loud and appreciative. The Lancers had come to the gym ready, and they delivered a rousing performance.

"We're going to win!" one stunned student shrieked.

"Let's not say that yet," another warned.

There was nothing to worry about. Liberty didn't put up much of a fight. The Flames allowed 12 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 21 times. There were stretches of 4:51 and 5:52 in the first half in which Liberty didn't score. The Flames coughed it up on six straight first-half possessions as Longwood seized the momentum and put the game out of reach.

Longwood scored 29 points off Liberty's turnovers. Blair attributed it to poor effort, and he hoped the ugly defeat would be an eye-opener for his team heading into Friday's game at Vines Center against Lynchburg College.

"Anytime you can't get loose balls, that's (poor) effort," Blair said. "It's nothing more than that. No excuses."

Last year, Longwood led at halftime only five times, never by more than six points. It lost four of those games. One had to wonder how the Lancers would handle a 19-point halftime edge.

They did just fine as Liberty continued to stumble over itself. Flames forward Jeremy Eck shot an air ball three feet from the basket and later missed a wide-open layup, prompting the students to taunt "we want Jeremy!" every time he went to the bench.

Then, disaster nearly struck for Liberty.

With 7:08 left, Blair crumpled to the floor in pain, screaming and holding his left leg. His calf had cramped up severely ("yeah, real severe," he said), and when he hit the floor, he opened a cut in the back of his head that left blood on the court and required bandaging on the bench.

Blair, who led the Flames with 16 points, said he was fine and added he expects to play Friday. Eric Bigby scored 13 points and Evan Risher added 12 for the Flames. Bryan Butler and Maurice Sumter scored 15 apiece for Longwood. Clayton Morgan (12 points) was the fifth Lancer in double figures.

Two random fans from the crowd of 1,430 stormed the court after the final buzzer and celebrated with Lancers players. It might have been a strange feeling for a program in transition, but it's one Longwood players can get used to.

"It's quite a difference between last year and this year," Jefferson said. "I like it."

[PAmedic]

A. they hail from a town called "Farmville"

B. this is their 2nd D1 win

C. it was such a "huge" win for this program that

Two random fans from the crowd of 1,430 stormed the court after the final buzzer and celebrated with Lancers players.

D. they beat the tar outta us

[PAmedic]

"You are flamers!" a rowdy group of Longwood University students screamed during a second-half timeout.

Not only are they smart, they're quite obviously inventive as well: never heard THAT one before.

[LUconn]

Seriously, as soon as they sign their LOI I'm sure they've heard that within minutes. They probably don't even notice it by the first day of practice. I wonder if Calgary hears that everyday.

[LUconn]

Reading the above article, doesn't Longwood remind you of us in the Mel Henkinson era? The worst D1 team, a couple of people rushing the court after a win (because they're so rare). Fans in disbelief that we're gonna win. Hopefully Longwood is improving and we're not regressing.

[PAmedic]

my guess is they are improving rapidly- they are really pushing for inclusion in the BSOUTH (though I got hammered when I brought it up)

not as many people laughing now

[LUconn]

sure they are, it's just redirectd at us.

[ATrain]

Hey-Farmville had a super Wal-Mart before Lynchburg...and I would know, I live there

[PAmedic]

nothing screams class like a "super" Walmart. MUCH better than "regular" Walmart.

[eddantes]

SCENE: Ed Dantes is at work, on the LU message board when he decides to check the Liberty / Longwood game. He's expecting to see something like Liberty 80, team that won 0 Division I games last year 55:

Ed (upon seeing the score): Oh. My. God.

[PAmedic]

add in head exploding.

oh, and LUConn, very pretty.

[PittLU]

When will Longwood add football? You all may laugh, but this could turn out to be a rivalry. The schools are close and both seem to have a commitment to DI sports? Local rivalries arent a bad thing - even if we think we are well superior which we proved we werent last night.

[PAmedic]

this was quite the little argument here a couple weeks back- lemme see if I can find the thread

[PAmedic]

ok- started here:

libertysports.proboards29.com/index.cgi?board=MHoops&action=display&thread=1128270594&page=4
(toward the bottom) but also ran over on a thread called "Big South Commissioner speaks" or something like that.

*EDIT- sorry: Big South talk from Winthrop President
libertysports.proboards29.com/index.cgi?board=Football&action=display&thread=1131537125

[PAmedic]

this cross referencing is giving me a headache. Can't we get a secretary or clerk or something around here to do this?

[SCAR]

Ok, I have to address the issue the guest asked me to about toughness. That is what I was talking about in this thread earlier. We need more mental toughness and resolve. I see it in Eric Bigby. When he gets the ball in the post, he is going to score. He takes it up strong and if you don't stop it you will get dunked on! Damien Hubbard has it, most of the time too. I think Russell has it in spurts. Not going to go through the whole lineup and tell you who has it or who doesn't but the point is well taken. Collectively this team needs more of a resolve. Sometimes you had spurts where you are playing worse than the team that you are better than. Last night in Maryland, the terps were down by 15 in the first half but they won by 17. They knew they were better and they had a resolve to make that comeback and take what was theirs. I saw that in the last 4 minutes or so from Liberty last night but they needed to do that out of the locker room at half time. Again, this is a long season and I believe they will turn it around.

[flameshaw]

I think toughness is a personal thing, as well as one of the several things that can be improved, through coaching. After reading the write up in the N&A, I think it is clear that this was a very embarrassing loss. This is not to diminish Longwood's accomplishment of winning their 2nd all time D1 win, but embarrasing from the effort we obviously did not bring to the court.
I have stated on here before, I am not a Dunton fan by any stretch of the imagination. I think he does a decent job of recruiting, but outside of an occasional upset, we lose many more games to teams we should beat easily because of lack of effort or preparedness.
I am not wanting to start a dump Dunton thread or movement YET. However, I do not believe we will ever rise above our current status with Randy at the helm. We will be in the top half of the conference and compete, but never dominate like Winthrop and the LU girls do. That should be our minimum goal and expectation level.

[theinsider]

flameshaw,
I think you are wrong about Coach D. I am around the man often and I can tell you one thing for sure. He is all about preparation. He wants his teams to be prepared for whatever the opposing team might throw at them. I also know that the style of play Longwood showed on Monday was completely atypical from their previous games. In fact, in every game except ours they relied solely on the long ball, for them to punch and drive as much as they did and rely very little on the three was a complete surprise. The team does need to develop defensively, to think that they dont want to be a good team or that coach D cant lead is ludacris. Coach is determined to bring the program into a prominence that has not yet been seen before. Yes, it was bad loss to a team we should not have lost to. But they are coming in town later in the season and we will get ours. Also on a side note, for those who hate on the team for losing in the early part of the season, how many schools do you see in the big south other than winthrop playing the out of conference schedule we play? Sure they might have a guarantee game here or there, but in all actuality these mid and high majors are making the team better and preparing them for what they will face in the future. I completely support Coach D and his efforts to make this a winning program. I hope that those people on here that are actually Liberty Students will rethink their positions and be supporters of the team rather than detractors. That's all I have to say.

[formerflame]

It is hard to judge a performance in a shapshot. The Liberty team under Meyer that went 4-23 added one player and were much better the next year. Longwood has played much im-proved this year and had a home game against a team of seven healthy players with no real
experience playing together. It is a tough demanding time,but I see a bright future and unlike
Flameshaw I know that Randy Dunton will build this program to the national level. Come and follow the man around for a few days and you will be impressed. Understand the patience and persistence required to develop student/athletes who are good fits into competitive fighters. Longwood will win more home games and so will your Flames!

[krh44]

As far as Dunton I think he will have us winning in Feb. & March when it counts but we were down by 25 points yesterday. I am still shocked about that. You can not have the fans we need in Jan. because everyone has already lost interest by that point due to early seasons embarrasments. (ie Miami Ohio 88 LU 44, Longwood, W.Mary 91 LU64)