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Post by TDDance234 on Dec 1, 2005 21:44:12 GMT -5
Someone kick Russell in the pants.
Steal his girlfriend. Do something. He has the potential to be one of the best post-players we've had here at LU. If we can just get him to develop a little bit of a streak in the post.
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Post by Stevev on Dec 1, 2005 22:03:35 GMT -5
I really have my doubts about Coach Dunton after last nights mishap and the embarrasing losses OOC the last 2 years. We need better OOC performances so we keep our fanbase up to 3K to 5K at least when conference play begins. Hopefully things will turn around and fast.
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Post by Sly Fox on Dec 1, 2005 22:46:36 GMT -5
I fully understand everyone's frustration. But its WAY too early to be tossing int he towel on this team. Its not the least bit surprising that we are struggling considering the circumstances. Keep in mind that we are just a few days removed form that terrific first half at Kentucky.
As for Russell, he sounds like he has the same issues that frustrate the Rockets here in Houston. When Yao Ming become aggressive he is unstoppable. But its just not in his mental makeup to be ferocious. Its taken several years for him to begin to realize the potential he has inside. When he first arrived, he wouldn't dunk because in China its considered impolite to show up your opponent. Clearly he's coming out of his shell and Russ can do the same.
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Post by PittLU on Dec 1, 2005 22:53:44 GMT -5
Ok Sly - I can understand the cultural aspect.
Scar - would you say there was something in the culture from Nigeria regarding Peter Aluma. He was a heck of a nice guy and had all the tools on the court. When he got mean, he was super. I remember a dunk he put on a guy from Howard (I thought he broke the guys back), and how he swatted Stackhouse out of the gym in the '94 tourney.
It just seems to me in following LU sports that we lack the toughness across the board in all sports. Do you think it has something to do with the whole "acting like a Christian thing"? I mean, if you have a guy or girl who plays hard, they are bound to get into scuffles that come with the emotion. Is that frowned upon the coaching circles?
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Post by Sly Fox on Dec 1, 2005 22:58:16 GMT -5
I don't think it has anything to do with "acting like a Christian". No one was tougher when the need arose than Christ himself. I also don't feel its cool to generalize about LU athletes since there are obviously exceptions to the rule.
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Post by PittLU on Dec 1, 2005 23:08:08 GMT -5
Sly - I dont like the comparison of Christ's ultimate sacrafice to athletic competition. Man you are in two different realms with that one.
What I meant to say is there is a certain way the outside world expects Christians to behave. An athlete who is physical in sports is bound to get into it with other athletes - we all know that from all of the sports everyone on this board participated in. There is a certain way that a Christian athlete must carry themselves and I am making the point that it is hard to be above board when playing physical. Physical play elicits emotions from the other player and the crowds that can bubble over and cause an atmosphere where a Christian could lose their testimony. We have all been in those situartions.
My question is are the coaches preaching more about testimony or aggressiveness? In my Christian High School, it was more testimony, and we would get pulled if he felt we were being too aggressive.
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Post by Sly Fox on Dec 1, 2005 23:10:48 GMT -5
I wasn't referencing the ultimate sacrifice. I was thinking more of when he chased the moneychangers out of the temple.
I would be highly disappointed if we were pulling players for being aggressive. If aggression steps over the line into cheap shots or anything that would damage a testimony, then I would understand pulling them back.
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Post by PAmedic on Dec 1, 2005 23:40:58 GMT -5
I completely agree w/ LUPitt here, and to an extent- I think SLY does too.
here's an example of teams that represent LU well but are TOUGH: LU HOCKEY and LULAX
an occasional fight for what you believe in carries a lot of weight to your opponent- and, IMHO, is not "unchristian" at ALL
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Post by PAmedic on Dec 1, 2005 23:42:24 GMT -5
that's kinda what I mean when a whine about LU not being willing to "do what it takes" to be successful in D1A FB. Though- for the most part I'm actually referring to underhanded/illegal stuff that goes on in the big programs.
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Post by formerflame on Dec 1, 2005 23:43:03 GMT -5
Kansas is now 2-3 losing at home to Nevada. Let's crucify Bill Self--he can no longer coach or move a program forward. I am committed to helping Coach Dunton get our program over the hump. It would great if we were all to realize the need to have this group develop as Scar has pointed out and use our support and prayers to assist. Coach Sherard has a 6'8" 235lb transfer at the game tomorrow. This staff is doing the things needed to progress the team. Know Russell, Rell, Anthony, Evan and Eric need to mature and play Liberty basketball. I like Scar believe it is going to happen. Coach D we are with you.
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Post by Sly Fox on Dec 2, 2005 1:00:37 GMT -5
Amen!
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Post by SCAR on Dec 2, 2005 1:31:49 GMT -5
I happen to believe there is no correlation with being a tough player or being a Christian or not. At least not at the division 1 level. There are just way too many things going on to be thinking about stuff like am I being passive or too aggressive. The game moves at the speed of light. I never played football here but I can tell you that hoops games have so many components that the normal fan will never ever be able to relate to. It is strickly in a person's background and DNA. Aluma was aggressive most times but I can remember many times when we coached him that we had meetings about him being tougher in the paint for us. I can promise you that Randy Dunton preaches toughness, physically and mentally every day. I always hear him stressing it. I grew up in a tough neighborhood even though I went to private school in Philly. No father around but my older brothers taught me at a young age to be mentally tougher and be able to overcome adversity so by the time I came to Liberty, there was nothing that I thought I couldn't handle. Russell Monroe did not grow up that way. He wants to be a good player more than we want him to. He just needs to understand the game better and that understanding will translate to being in better position to do the things that appear "tough" in our eyes as fans.
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Post by PAmedic on Dec 2, 2005 1:39:21 GMT -5
he oughta go w/ the fu manchu look I popularized over in his thread.
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Post by SCAR on Dec 2, 2005 1:48:48 GMT -5
Yes I agree. I like what you did with that pic Medic. I saw the big fella tonight in LaHaye and I forgot to mention that to him.
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Post by PAmedic on Dec 2, 2005 11:52:54 GMT -5
there goes the 2006 Christmas card as well. just burnin them up man, just burnin them up.
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Post by SCAR on Dec 2, 2005 12:56:43 GMT -5
Wow you are killing me Medic. I killed 2 Christmas cards with one stone? Man you grade on a tough curve. Don't forget you still are getting a shout on TV next Tuesday (If I can work it in).
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GOAT
Junior Member
Posts: 55
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Post by GOAT on Dec 2, 2005 15:26:33 GMT -5
As someone mentioned earlier it is way to early in the season to pass any hard judgement. When I played we had a similar situation in that we lost to Belmont by 40 at home and they had just turned Division 1. It was just a bad nite and they picked us apart. Coach D had prepared us well but Belmont was just the better team that night. It happens especially nowadays where the parity in Division 1 basketball is insane. Pretty soon there will be no low, mid or high majors because everyone can compete at the same level. I know first hand that Coach Dunton will do his best to improve this team. This team was similar to my team in that we lost 4 significant players for discipline or academic reasons my senior year and we had major internal problems. It took everyone a while to get on the same page but when we did we went out and beat UVA at UVA and had a successful conference season. I guarantee the will be prepared by conferene time.
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Post by PittLU on Dec 2, 2005 20:42:06 GMT -5
GOAT - good to see you on the board. It was a pleasure to watch you and Marcus in the backcourt during my days at LU. I hope all is going well for you and your family. You are right - these guys will be all right. Chemistry isnt formed overnight.
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