Game No. 26 - Feb. 10, 2011 Lynchburg, Va. - Vines Center - 7 p.m. Radford HIGHLANDERS (5-18, 2-11 Big South) at Liberty FLAMES (17-8, 11-2 Big South) 2010-11 Liberty 2010-11 Liberty Men’s Basketball Men’s Basketball Quick Facts Quick Facts General Information General Information Name of School Name of School ........... ........... Liberty University Liberty University City/Zip City/Zip ................. ................. Lynchburg, Va. 24502 Lynchburg, Va. 24502 Founded Founded .......................................... .......................................... 1971 1971 Enrollment Enrollment .................................... .................................... 11,928 11,928 Nickname Nickname..................................... ..................................... Flames Flames School Colors School Colors ............ ............ Red, White & Blue Red, White & Blue Home Arena Home Arena........................ ........................ Vines Center Vines Center Capacity Capacity.......................................... .......................................... 8,085 8,085 Affiliation Affiliation ........................ ........................ NCAA Division I NCAA Division I Conference Conference .............................. .............................. Big South Big South Founder Founder ......................... ......................... Dr. Jerry Falwell Dr. Jerry Falwell Chancellor Chancellor ..................... ..................... Jerry Falwell, Jr. Jerry Falwell, Jr. Director of Athletics Director of Athletics................ ................ Jeff Barber Jeff Barber Athletics Dept. Phone Athletics Dept. Phone ..... ..... (434) 582-2100 (434) 582-2100 Men’s Basketball Information Men’s Basketball Information Head Coach Head Coach........................... ........................... Dale Layer Dale Layer Alma Mater Alma Mater ............................ ............................ Eckerd, ‘80 Eckerd, ‘80 Record at School Record at School .... .... 32-24 (Second Year) 32-24 (Second Year) Career Record Career Record ......... ......... 302-217 (18th year) 302-217 (18th year) Assistant Coaches Assistant Coaches .. ..Jason Eaker (Texas-Pan American, ‘04) Jason Eaker (Texas-Pan American, ‘04) ........... ........... Myron Guillory (Virginia Tech, ‘99) Myron Guillory (Virginia Tech, ‘99) .... .... Brian Joyce (Oklahoma Christian, ‘95) Brian Joyce (Oklahoma Christian, ‘95) Certified Athletic Trainer Certified Athletic Trainer .................. .................. Aaron Schreiner (Taylor, ‘02) Aaron Schreiner (Taylor, ‘02) History History First Season of Basketball First Season of Basketball .......... ..........1972-73 1972-73 All-Time Record All-Time Record .......................... ..........................556-579 556-579 NCAA Tournament Appearances NCAA Tournament Appearances........... ........... 2 2 Last NCAA Appearance Last NCAA Appearance................... ................... 2004 2004 Opponent Opponent ............................. ............................. St. Joseph’s St. Joseph’s Result Result .................... ....................L/82-63 (First Round) L/82-63 (First Round) Final/Highest Ranking Final/Highest Ranking ....................... ....................... N/A N/A Final 2009-10 Record Final 2009-10 Record ..................... .....................15-16 15-16 Conference Record/Finish Conference Record/Finish....... .......10-8/Sixth 10-8/Sixth Starters Returning/Lost Starters Returning/Lost....................... ....................... 3/2 3/2 Letterwinners Returning/Lost Letterwinners Returning/Lost.............. .............. 7/5 7/5 Newcomers Newcomers............................................ ............................................ 5 5 Athletics Communications Info. Athletics Communications Info. Asst. AD - Communications Asst. AD - Communications .......................................... ..........................................Todd Wetmore Todd Wetmore SID Office Phone SID Office Phone............ ............ (434) 582-2292 (434) 582-2292 Cell Phone Cell Phone ...................... ...................... (434) 841-8974 (434) 841-8974 Email Address Email Address....... ....... [email protected][email protected]Assoc. Director Assoc. Director ............. .............Ryan Bomberger Ryan Bomberger Cell Phone Cell Phone ..................... ..................... (434) 221-5576 (434) 221-5576 Email Address Email Address... ... [email protected][email protected]Asst. Director Asst. Director .................... .................... Paul Carmany Paul Carmany Cell Phone Cell Phone ...................... ...................... (434) 221-5575 (434) 221-5575 Email Address Email Address..... ..... [email protected][email protected]Asst. Director Asst. Director ......................... ......................... Eric Brown Eric Brown Cell Phone Cell Phone ...................... ...................... (434) 221-8817 (434) 221-8817 Email Address Email Address........ ........ [email protected][email protected]Asst. Director Asst. Director ................. ................. Jennifer Shelton Jennifer Shelton Cell Phone Cell Phone ...................... ...................... (828) 638-3876 (828) 638-3876 Email Address Email Address..... ..... [email protected][email protected]MBB Contact MBB Contact ......................... ......................... Eric Brown Eric Brown Ath. Comm. Fax Ath. Comm. Fax.............. .............. (434) 582-2076 (434) 582-2076 Website Website..................... ..................... LibertyFlames.com LibertyFlames.com Media Information Media Information Radio Radio Station Station .......................... .......................... WRVL (88.3 FM) WRVL (88.3 FM) Play-By-Play Play-By-Play ............................. .............................Alan York Alan York Television Television Station Station ............... ............... Flames Sports Network Flames Sports Network Play-By-Play Play-By-Play ........................... ........................... Ray Jones Ray Jones Color Color ............................ ............................ Tim Scarborough Tim Scarborough The Game Sitting in second place in the Big South standings, the Liberty men’s basketball team (17-8, 11-2 Big South) is looking to clinch a home game in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big South Championship. The Flames play host to Commonwealth competitor Radford on Thursday. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. In addition to sewing up a postseason game at home, Liberty is also seeking its fourth sweep of a conference competitor this season. The Flames defeated the Highlanders in their previous meeting, leaving the Dedmon Center on Jan. 15 with a 61-53 victory. Recent Results The Liberty men’s basketball team became the first this season to pick up a win in- side Buccaneer Field House, Saturday night, escaping with a 70-69 win over Charleston Southern. The Flames’ victory marked the first defeat for the Buccaneers inside the Buc Dome during the 2010-11 campaign. Charleston Southern entered the contest with a 10-0 record in the facility. Liberty moves to 17-8 on the season and 11-2 in conference play, while the Buc- caneers fall to 13-12 overall and 7-6 in Big South action. With 11 league wins, Liberty surpasses its conference win total of 10 during the 2009-10 season. Watch and Listen to the Flames Thursday’s contest will be televised on the Flames Sports Network, with Ray Jones pro- viding the play-by-play and Tim Scarborough adding color commentary. In addition to air- ing live on the regular Flames Sports Network outlets, the contest will air at 9 p.m. (tape delay) on MASN. There will be a Flames Sports Network radio broadcast (flagship WRVL 88.3 FM) with Alan York providing the play-by-play. In addition to the radio broadcast, an Internet audio broadcast on LibertyFlames.com will be available. There will also be a live video stream of the broadcast via the Big South Network, available on BigSouthSports.com. Liberty’s Probable Starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Other Stats 25 Jesse Sanders G 6-3 200 Jr. 10.6 6.1 6.36 apg 10 Evan Gordon G 6-2 185 So. 15.0 2.9 41 steals 14 David Minaya G 6-6 205 R-Jr. 11.3 3.4 76.1 FT% 20 John Brown G 6-4 195 R-Jr. 11.5 10.6 43 steals 21 Joel Vander Pol C 6-10 225 R-Fr. 3.9 3.3 20 blocks Reserves 1 Garen Lafser G 6-1 180 Jr. 0.4 0.0 -- 2 Chene Phillips G 6-2 170 Fr. 2.4 1.3 87.0% FT 4 James Spencer G 6-1 190 Sr. 0.0 0.4 -- 5 Tanner Hoyt G 6-4 170 Jr. 0.0 0.8 -- 12 Jeremy Anderson G 6-4 200 R-Jr. 2.4 0.8 -- 23 Asaad Woods G/F 6-4 210 Fr. 0.0 0.5 -- 24 Antwan Burrus F 6-6 235 So. 6.6 4.4 34 blocks 33 John Caleb Sanders G 6-0 175 Fr. 4.1 1.2 35.9 3FG% 41 Carter McMasters C 6-11 240 R-So. 0.8 0.8 -- 42 Sommy Ogukwe F 6-7 215 Fr. 0.8 1.9 14 blocks
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Radford HIGHLANDERS (5-18, 2-11 Big South) at Liberty ... · Game No. 26 - Feb. 10, 2011 Lynchburg, Va. - Vines Center - 7 p.m. Radford HIGHLANDERS (5-18, 2-11 Big South) at Liberty
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The Game Sitting in second place in the Big South standings, the Liberty men’s basketball team (17-8, 11-2 Big South) is looking to clinch a home game in the quarterfi nals of the 2011 Big South Championship. The Flames play host to Commonwealth competitor Radford on Thursday. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. In addition to sewing up a postseason game at home, Liberty is also seeking its fourth sweep of a conference competitor this season. The Flames defeated the Highlanders in their previous meeting, leaving the Dedmon Center on Jan. 15 with a 61-53 victory.
Recent Results The Liberty men’s basketball team became the fi rst this season to pick up a win in-side Buccaneer Field House, Saturday night, escaping with a 70-69 win over Charleston Southern. The Flames’ victory marked the fi rst defeat for the Buccaneers inside the Buc Dome during the 2010-11 campaign. Charleston Southern entered the contest with a 10-0 record in the facility. Liberty moves to 17-8 on the season and 11-2 in conference play, while the Buc-caneers fall to 13-12 overall and 7-6 in Big South action. With 11 league wins, Liberty surpasses its conference win total of 10 during the 2009-10 season.
Watch and Listen to the FlamesThursday’s contest will be televised on the Flames Sports Network, with Ray Jones pro-viding the play-by-play and Tim Scarborough adding color commentary. In addition to air-ing live on the regular Flames Sports Network outlets, the contest will air at 9 p.m. (tape delay) on MASN. There will be a Flames Sports Network radio broadcast (fl agship WRVL 88.3 FM) with Alan York providing the play-by-play. In addition to the radio broadcast, an Internet audio broadcast on LibertyFlames.com will be available. There will also be a live video stream of the broadcast via the Big South Network, available on BigSouthSports.com. Liberty’s Probable Starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG Other Stats25 Jesse Sanders G 6-3 200 Jr. 10.6 6.1 6.36 apg10 Evan Gordon G 6-2 185 So. 15.0 2.9 41 steals14 David Minaya G 6-6 205 R-Jr. 11.3 3.4 76.1 FT%20 John Brown G 6-4 195 R-Jr. 11.5 10.6 43 steals21 Joel Vander Pol C 6-10 225 R-Fr. 3.9 3.3 20 blocks Reserves 1 Garen Lafser G 6-1 180 Jr. 0.4 0.0 -- 2 Chene Phillips G 6-2 170 Fr. 2.4 1.3 87.0% FT 4 James Spencer G 6-1 190 Sr. 0.0 0.4 -- 5 Tanner Hoyt G 6-4 170 Jr. 0.0 0.8 --12 Jeremy Anderson G 6-4 200 R-Jr. 2.4 0.8 --23 Asaad Woods G/F 6-4 210 Fr. 0.0 0.5 --24 Antwan Burrus F 6-6 235 So. 6.6 4.4 34 blocks 33 John Caleb Sanders G 6-0 175 Fr. 4.1 1.2 35.9 3FG%41 Carter McMasters C 6-11 240 R-So. 0.8 0.8 --42 Sommy Ogukwe F 6-7 215 Fr. 0.8 1.9 14 blocks
2010-11 LibertyMen’s BasketballSchedule/Results
Overall: 17-8Big South: 11-2
11/12 VIRGINIA INTERMONT W/82-6511/14 at Notre Dame L/51-7211/16 at UNC Wilmington L/64-69 OT11/18 SOUTHERN VIRGINIA W/82-49
South Padre Island Invitational (Campus Sites)
11/21 at Texas Tech L/71-7911/23 at South Florida L/43-60
South Padre Island Invitational (South Padre, Texas)
11/26 vs. MVSU W/64-5811/27 vs. Chicago St. W/67-65 OT
12/2 PRESBYTERIAN*^# W/70-6112/4 WINTHROP ^# W/75-7212/11 GEORGE MASON^# L/54-8412/18 WILLIAM & MARY^# W/71-6212/22 at Hampton L/59-6212/28 UNION COLLEGE W/84-4712/31 at Gardner-Webb*# W/64-62 OT1/2 at UNC Asheville*# W/59-551/6 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN*^# W/68-541/8 COASTAL CAROLINA*^# L/67-701/13 at High Point*# W/66-601/15 at Radford*&# W/61-531/20 VMI*^# W/100-821/27 UNC ASHEVILLE*&# W/83-81 OT1/29 GARDNER-WEBB*^# W/67-512/3 at Coastal Carolina*# L/77-712/5 at Charleston Southern*# W/70-692/10 RADFORD*^# 7 p.m.2/12 HIGH POINT*^# 8 p.m.2/15 at VMI*# 7 p.m.2/19 IONA! 3 p.m.2/24 at Winthrop *# 7 p.m.2/26 at Presbyterian *# 7:30 p.m.
Home Games in BOLD CAPS* - Big South Conference Game
All times are Eastern Standard Time^ - Broadcast on Flames Sports Network
# - Broadcast on Big South Network& - Broadcast on MASN! - Broadcast on ESPNU$ - Broadcast on ESPN 2
Head Coach Dale Layer
Record at Liberty: 32-24 (Second Year)Career Record: 302-217 (18th Year)
Mountain West Conference Championship: 20031 NCAA Division I Tournament Appearance: 20032 NCAA Division II Tournament Appearances: 1996 (Sweet 16), 1998
Currently in his second season as head coach of the Flames, Dale Layer is the eighth coach in program history. Layer returned to Liberty Mountain in 2009 after previously serv-ing as an assistant coach for the Flames during the 2007-08 season. This is Layer’s third head coaching stint and fi rst since leaving Colorado State in 2007. Layer, 51, comes to Liberty most recently from a successful run as an assistant coach at BIG EAST member and nationally ranked Marquette in 2008-09 where he worked with the guards. Layer helped the Eagles to a 25-10 record and a second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament despite lacking the full-time services of All-American Dominic James, who injured himself near the end of the season. Dale Layer fi rst served as an assistant at Liberty during the 2007-08 season, helping the Flames to its best regular season fi nish since Liberty won the 2004 Big South Cham-pionship. Layer has also demonstrated the ability to develop talent, including former Colorado State center Jason Smith. The seven-footer scored over 1,500 points for Layer’s Rams during his three seasons with the program before entering the NBA Draft following his junior campaign. Due to his development under Layer’s tutelage, Smith was chosen with the 20th selection of the NBA Draft’s fi rst round by the Miami Heat in 2007. His rights were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. When Smith graduated high school he was ranked as the 276th best player in his class and under Layer developed in three seasons to the 20th selection in the NBA Draft. Several of Layer’s recruiting classes at Colorado State were ranked among the top 40 nationally by various recruiting publications. Layer has a career 302-217 record (18th year) as a head coach, including nine sea-sons at the helm of Queens University (formally Queens College) in Charlotte, N.C. He also served as the athletics director while at the school and started the basketball program in 1989 from scratch at the formerly all women’s institution. Layer’s student-athletes excel in the classroom too. In Layer’s 17 seasons as a head coach, he has accompanied 45 seniors to be honored on senior night and all 45 earned a college degree, marking 100 percent graduation rate of all players who fi nish their eligibility under Layer. After graduating from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1980, Layer started his coaching career as an assistant under Jim Harley, his former coach. Before moving on to Queens University, Layer spent seven of the next eight years at Eckerd College except for the 1982-83 season, when he was an assistant at Eastern Kentucky. Layer made the jump to Division I in 1998 when Ritchie McKay took the head coach-ing job at Colorado State and named him to his staff. During McKay’s two seasons with the Rams, Layer helped lead Colorado State to the NIT Tournament in 1999, where they beat Mississippi State and Colorado before falling to eventual champion, California. While with the Rams, Layer had a 103-106 record, including a 17-13 mark in 2007. In 2003, Layer led Colorado State to the Mountain West Conference Championship and its fi rst NCAA Tournament bid in 13 years, falling to Duke in the fi rst round.
Top 50 Scorers in Liberty History
1. Karl Hess 2,373 2. Larry Blair 2,211 3. Bailey Alston 2,115 4. Mark Chafi n 1,947 5. Steve Isaacs 1,777 6. Anthony Smith 1,754 7. Peter Aluma 1,715 8. Ed Vickers 1,658 9. Willard Deshazor 1,569 10. Larry Jackson 1,539 11. Matt Hildebrand 1,515 12. George Sweet 1,422 13. Chris Caldwell 1,391 14. Julius Nwosu 1,248 15. Greg McCauley 1,228 16. Eric Gordon 1,154 17. Kyle Ohman 1,14118. Cliff Webber 1,100 19. Mike Coleman 1,065 20. Mike Goad 1,013 21. Mike Minett 1,001 22. Alex McLean 954 23. Gabe Martin 890 24. Mark Reed 842 25. Brad Hamersley 831 26. David Dees 794 27. Jason Dixon 761 28. Charles Richardson 755 29. Ed Gomes 751 30. Evan Gordon 74631. Jesse Sanders 740 32. Delawn Grandison 713 33. Seth Curry 707 34. Rodney Harrison 689 35. Nathan Day 683 36. Jason Sarchet 658 37. Kenny Gunn 651 38. Erik Sorensen 623 39. Tim Scarborough 616 40. Barry Taylor 610 41. Vincent Okotie 588 42. Chris Toomer 583 43. Mark Swift 582 44. Mickey Baker 582 45. Keith Ferguson 576 46. Marcus White 567 47. Dave Denny 548 48. Jody Chapman 543 49. Ryan Mantlo 520 50. Jim Pearce 505
Other Current Players:Jeremy Anderson 391David Minaya 372Antwan Burrus 367
Scouting the Highlanders Radford enters Saturday’s contest with a 5-18 record overall and a 2-11 posting in conference play. Radford is coming off a narrow 72-70 defeat to High Point on Saturday. Four Highland-ers fi nished the contest in double digit scoring fi gures – Blake Smith (19), Jareal Smith (15), Martins Abele (10) and Gorkem Sonmez (10). Shay Shine led the Panthers with 18 points and seven rebounds, followed by Nick Barbour and Du’Vaughn Maxwell who chipped in 14 and 11 tallies, respectively. Gorken Sonmez leads the Highlanders in scoring, averaging 9.1 points per game. Ed-wards is the team’s leading rebounder, pulling down 5.4 boards per contest. Blake Smith currently leads the Big South and is 11th in the country in steals, averaging 2.7 per game (57 on the season).
Liberty/Radford Series Notes Thursday’s matchup marks the 58th meeting between Liberty and Radford, with the Highlanders holding a 32-25 edge over the Flames in the all-time series. The series be-tween the Flames and the Highlanders is Liberty’s oldest against a current Big South member. Liberty is looking for its fi rst win over the Highlanders in the Vines Center in nearly three years. The last time the Flames prevailed over the Big South competitor at home was March 1, 2008. Liberty took the contest, 78-71. The Commonwealth rivalry began on Jan. 28, 1975, during Liberty’s days as a mem-ber of the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association. Liberty hosted the inaugural meeting, defeating Radford, 99-85. Liberty took the opening contest against the Highlanders last season, edging Radford inside the Dedmon Center on Jan. 23, 60-55. Jesse Sanders and Evan Gordon each fi nished with 16 points, while Radford’s Art Parakhouski recorded a double-double with a game-high 26 points and 15 boards. The Highlanders avenged the loss in the Vines Center, defeating the Flames 74-69 on Feb. 16. Gordon led the Flames with 17 points, but Parakhouski fi nished with a double-double once again, posting 25 points and 13 rebounds. In the fi rst meeting this season, Liberty defeated the Highlanders inside the Dedmon Center, 61-53. The win marked Liberty’s third consecutive victory in the Dedmon Center and its fourth in fi ve seasons. Blake Smith paced the Highlanders with 13 points, while Gorkem Sonmez chipped in 12. David Minaya led the Flames with 13 points, followed by John Brown (11) and Antwan Burrus (11). Brown recorded his fourth straight double-double and 10th of the season, adding 14 rebounds to his scoring effort.
Layer in the Big South Liberty head coach Dale Layer holds a 25-14 record against current members of the Big South. Layer is 4-0 against Charleston Southern, 0-4 against Coastal Carolina, 6-1 against Gardner-Webb, 2-1 against High Point, 3-0 against Presbyterian, 2-1 against Rad-ford, 2-2 against UNC Asheville, 3-0 against VMI and 3-5 against Winthrop.
A Liberty Win- Moves the Flames to 18-8 on the season and 12-2 in conference play- Allows the Flames to clinch a home contest in the Big South Championship quarterfi nals - Gives the Flames their fi rst victory over Radford in the Vines Center since March 1, 2008, when Liberty defeated the Highlanders, 78-71.
LU ................................. Statistical Comparison .................................RU17-8 ........................................................Record ........................................................ 5-1842.7............................................ Field Goal Percentage .............................................38.841.8.................................... Opponent Field Goal Percentage ....................................44.332.6...................................Three-Point Field Goal Percentage ...................................30.75.0.......................................Three-Pointers Made Per Game .......................................4.770.5........................................... Free Throw Percentage ............................................63.439.7................................................Rebound Average ................................................34.432.9 .......................................Opponent Rebound Average ........................................38.2+6.8 ............................................Rebound Differential ............................................. - 3.768.5.................................................Points Per Game .................................................60.164.8..........................................Points Allowed Per Game ..........................................70.7+ 3.8 ............................................... Point Differential ............................................... - 10.6
Player Watch David Minaya has put together seven-straight games with double-digit scoring fi g-ures, averaging 16.1 points per game during the span. The last time the Flames met the Highlanders, Minaya paced Liberty with 13 points. With 12 double-doubles on the season, John Brown is looking to add to the total. In the Jan. 15 matchup, Brown posted 11 points, while grabbing 14 boards. Blake and Jareal Smith are likely to have an impact in Thursday’s contest. Jareal, the Big South Freshman of the week, is coming off 25 and 15-point performances in games against Winthrop (W, 67-66) and High Point (L, 72-70). In the game against the Panthers, Blake Smith led the Highlanders with 19 tallies.
Sitting in Second With fi ve games remaining, the Flames are the only other team besides league leader Coastal Carolina with a mathematical chance to enter the 2011 Big South Championship as the No. 1 seed. The Flames are four games ahead of the three teams (Charleston Southern, UNC Asheville and Winthrop) that are tied for third place in the standings. Lib-erty is 5-0 against the trio this season.
Keeping it Close Out of Liberty’s 13 Big South contests, only three have been decided by a double-digit scoring margin, which include meetings with Charleston Southern (Jan. 6, W/68-54), VMI (Jan. 20, W/100-82) and Gardner-Webb (Jan. 29, W/ 67-51).
Rebounding Battle In 13 conference contests the Flames have only been outrebounded on three occa-sions – twice by Coastal Carolina (Jan. 8, Feb. 3) and once versus UNC Asheville (Jan. 27). The Flames enter Thursday’s contest having outrebounded Radford by a margin of 19 (51-32) in the previous meeting.
Double Digit Quartet Entering Thursday’s contest, the Flames have four players averaging double fi gures in scoring – Evan Gordon (15.0), John Brown (11.5), David Minaya (11.3) and Jesse Sanders (10.6). The last time a Liberty squad had four players fi nish the season with double-digits in scoring was the 2006-07 season. The quartet consisted of Larry Blair (20.4), Dwight Brewington (14.7), Alex McLean (14.5) and Anthony Smith (11.4). Sporting a 16-7 record, this season’s team has surpassed the 2006-07 squad’s marks in overall and conference wins. That season, the Flames fi nished with a 14-17 record and an 8-6 posting in Big South action.
Friendly Competition With his 17-point performance against Charleston Southern this past Saturday, Evan Gordon has broken the tie between him and Jesse Sanders for the 30th spot on Liberty’s all-time scoring list. Gordon currently has 746 tallies for his Liberty career, while Sanders is six points back in 31st with 740 points.
Dimes and Boards Jesse Sanders is one of two players in the country currently averaging at least six re-bounds and six assists per contest (6.1 rpg, 6.4 apg). The other is Texas Southern’s Kevin Galloway who is averaging 6.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. Sanders is on pace to be the fi rst player in Big South history to average at least 6.0 boards and 6.0 helpers in a season.
The Big DisherWith 159 assists this season, Jesse Sanders accounts for 49.2 percent of the Flames total helpers (323) on the year.
Liberty in the Big South Stats(Through Games Played Feb. 5)
LU ......................................... 2010-11 Statistical Leaders ........................................ RUEvan Gordon (15.0 ppg) ......................... Points ...................... Gorkem Sonmez (9.1 ppg)John Brown (10.6 rpg) ......................... Rebounds............... Johnathan Edwards (5.4 rpg)Jesse Sanders (6.36 apg) ......................Assists .................... Jeremy Robinson (2.1 apg)Antwan Burrus (1.36 bpg)....................... Blocks .......................... Martins Abele (1.1 bpg)John Brown (1.72 spg) ........................... Steals .............................. Blake Smith (2.0 spg)Joel Vander Pol (54.5) ....................... Field Goal % ......................... Martins Abele (55.8)David Minaya (39.2) ....................3-Point Field Goal % ............... Gorkem Sonmez (36.7)Chene Phillips (87.0) ........................ Free Throw % ........................Evan Faulkner (79.3)
300th Win Head coach Dale Layer picked up his 300th career win in Liberty’s overtime victory over UNC Asheville. Layer is now 301-217 for his career. Layer’s win total includes 167 victories as head coach of Division II member Queens (1989-98), 103 wins at the helm of Colorado State (2000-07) and 31 at Liberty (2009-Present).
Keeping up with the Keydets Despite entering the contest averaging just 4.8 three-pointers per game, Liberty near-ly matched the nation’s leader in three-pointers made per game on Jan. 20. The VMI Key-dets hit 10 treys against the Flames last week. However, Liberty countered from behind the three-point arc, knocking down 9-of-11 (81.8 percent) long distance jumpers on the night.
Offensive/Defensive Rebound Percentage The Flames are currently tops in the Big South conference in offensive rebounding percentage, grabbing offensive boards 38.8 percent of the time. Liberty is also No. 2 in defensive rebound percentage with 70.4 percent.
Triple-Double King In Liberty’s game versus Charleston Southern on Jan. 6, Jesse Sanders notched his third career triple-double, fi nishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. The feat makes Sanders the fi rst player in Liberty and Big South history to have three career triple-doubles. Sanders has garnered each of his triple-doubles in the Vines Center. The Sugar Land, Texas native fi rst accomplished the feat during his freshman season, posting identical totals against Presbyterian on Feb. 9, 2009. Last season, Sanders recorded his second triple-double against Kentucky Christian on Dec. 12, 2009, fi nishing with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
All-time Triple-Doubles
Name Result Opponent DateJesse Sanders 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Charleston So. 01-06-2011Kyle Ohman 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists VMI 01-02-2010Jesse Sanders 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Ky. Christian 12-12-2009Jesse Sanders 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Presbyterian 02-09-2009Ed Gomes 10 points, 13 steals and 10 assists Radford 01-24-1976
Overtime at the Vines While the Flames have experienced four overtime contests this season, Liberty’s 83-81 win over UNC Asheville on Jan. 27 marked the fi rst overtime game in the Vines Center since Jan. 24, 2009. On that day Liberty squared off with Radford, falling in double over-time, 94-82.
Double-Double Agent With his 16-point, 10-rebound performance against Charleston Southern on Saturday, John Brown earned 12th this season. The most double-doubles posted in a single season by a Liberty player is 15. Only two Flames have achieved this feat - Mike Coleman (1990) and most recently Alex McLean.
Climbing the Ladder With 448 career assists, Jesse Sanders has surpassed Mark Chafi n (446, 1975-78) for fi fth all-time on the program’s listing. The fl oor general now need 29 to take sole pos-session of the fourth spot.
Team Scoring LeadersEvan Gordon 14 times David Minaya 5 timesJesse Sanders 4 timesJohn Brown 3 times Antwan Burrus 1 time
20-Point GamesEvan Gordon 3 timesJesse Sanders 2 timesJohn Brown 1 timeDavid Minaya 1 time
Team Rebounding LeadersJohn Brown 21 timesAntwan Burrus 3 times Jesse Sanders 2 timesDavid Minaya 1 time
10-Rebound GamesJohn Brown 15 timesAntwan Burrus 1 timeJesse Sanders 1 time
Team Assist LeadersJesse Sanders 25 timesEvan Gordon 1 time
5-Assist GamesJesse Sanders 20 times
Team Steal LeadersJohn Brown 13 times Evan Gordon 10 timesJesse Sanders 8 times David Minaya 3 timesAntwan Burrus 2 times John Caleb Sanders 2 timesChene Phillips 2 timesJeremy Anderson 1 time
3-Steal GamesJohn Brown 8 times Evan Gordon 6 timesJesse Sanders 4 times David Minaya 1 time
Team Blocked Shot LeadersAntwan Burrus 15 times Joel Vander Pol 8 times Sommy Ogukwe 5 timesCarter McMasters 2 timesJohn Brown 1 timeJesse Sanders 1 timeDavid Minaya 1 time
Good Start = Good Finish The Flames are undefeated when controlling the tip this season. While winning the opening possession leads to a Flames’ victory, doing so has proven to be a challenge, as Liberty has only controlled the tip seven times this year.
Recipe for Success Liberty’s level of success around the basket this season has been a good predictor of the Flames’ outcome on the scoreboard. When the Flames win the rebounding battle, they are 15-2. However, Liberty is 3-6when being outrebounded. Similarly, Liberty is 13-2 when scoring more points in the paint than its opponent. Meanwhile, the Flames are only 4-6 when their opponent notches more points in the paint.
What Can Brown Do For You? Liberty newcomer and redshirt-junior John Brown leads the Big South with 10.6 re-bounds per game. If he can maintain his position, he would become the fi rst Liberty player to lead the Conference in rebounding since Leo Lightbourne during the 2004-05 season. Brown could also become the fi rst newcomer to fi nish as the Big South’s top rebounder since High Point’s Danny Gathings in 2002-03.
Hot Hand In Liberty’s game against UNC Asheville, the Flames went 11-for 25 (44.0 percent) from the three-point arc, hitting the team’s most treys since Feb. 16, 2009, when the Flames went 13-for-27 (48.1 percent) in an 85-82 win at Coastal Carolina. That season, Liberty set a program record for most three-pointers made in a season (321).
Enough About Favre … After starting 45 straight contests for the Flames, Jesse Sanders saw that streak come to an end against Union College on Dec. 28. The last time Sanders missed a start was March 17, 2009 against Rider in the opening round of the CollegeInsider.com Invita-tional Tournament (CIT). During his Liberty career, Sanders has appeared in 77 contests for the Flames, receiving the start 74 times.
Mistakes Made During Liberty’s game against Hampton on Dec. 22, the Flames committed 26 turn-overs, their highest mark of the season. Liberty has committed 20 turnovers or more in three other games this season – 22 against UNC Asheville (Jan. 02) 25 against Gardner-Webb (Dec. 31), 23 against Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 26) and 20 against Chicago State (Nov. 27). The last time Liberty committed 26 or more turnovers in a single game was Nov. 17, 2009, when the Flames (28) hosted Clemson during the ESPN Tipoff Marathon. Prior to this season, the last time a Liberty squad committed 20 turnovers or more on at least three occasions was the 2006-07 campaign. That season, the Flames committed 20-plus turnovers in a single game six times.
Milestone Man With 1:48 remaining in the fi rst half of Liberty’s game against Radford on Jan. 15, Jesse Sanders notched his 500th career rebound. He is now the only player in Big South history to have at least 400 career assists and 500 rebounds. Sanders garnered his 400th assist in Liberty’s contest against Coastal Carolina on Jan. 8. He currently has 448 help-ers and 528 boards for his career.
Brown’s Rebounds John Brown’s Big South-leading rebounding average of 10.6 rpg has him on trackto become the fi rst Flame to average double-digit rebounds since Liberty joined the Big-South Conference. The last Liberty player to average at least 10 rebounds per game for a whole sea-sonwas Mike Coleman, who tallied 10.1 rpg in 1990-91. That was the season before the Flames became a Big South member.
Thursday, Feb. 10Charleston Southern at Winthrop * 7 p.m.Coastal Carolina at Presbyterian * 7 p.m.Radford at Liberty * 7 p.m.High Point at VMI * 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 12Radford at VMI * 1 p.m.Charleston So. at Presbyterian * 7 p.m.Coastal Carolina at Winthrop * 7 p.m.UNC Asheville at Gardner-Webb * 7 p.m.High Point at Liberty * 8 P.M.
Tuesday, Feb. 15Gardner-Webb at Coastal * 7 p.m.Winthrop at High Point * 7 p.m.Liberty at VMI* 7 p.m.Presbyterian at Radford * 7 p.m.UNC Asheville at Charleston So.* 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 17N.C.Central at Coastal Carolina 7 p.m.
* - Big South Conference Game
Liberty’s 2010-11Record ...
When Liberty controls the tip ......................... ....7-0When opponent controls the tip ................... ....10-8Played at home.................................................10-2Played on the road ....................................... .....5-6Played at a neutral site ................................ ......2-0Played a team with a .500+ record ............... .....5-6Played a team with a .500 record ................. .....1-1Played a team with a below .500 record........... 11-1When Liberty leads at the half ...................... ...12-2When opponent leads at the half ................ .......5-6When there is a tie at the half ....................... .....0-0When Liberty leads with 5:00 left......................15-2When opponent leads with 5:00 left ............. .....1-6When there is a tie with 5:00 left .................. .....1-0When Liberty leads with 1:00 left......................14-2 When opponent leads with 1:00 left ............. .....2-6When there is a tie with 1:00 left .................. .....1-0When Liberty outrebounds opponent ......... .....15-2When opponent outrebounds Liberty ......... .......2-6When the teams’ rebound totals are equal ... .....0-0When Liberty shoots 50% or better (FG) ...... .....3-1When Liberty shoots less than 50% (FG) ... .....14-7When Liberty outshoots its opponents ....... .....10-2When opponents outshoot Liberty .............. .......6-6When the teams shoot the same pct. ........... .....1-0When Liberty shoots more 3-pointers.................4-2When opponent shoots more 3-pointers .... .....12-6When same amount of 3-pointers shot...............1-0When Liberty shoots more free throws ....... .......8-3When opponent shoots more free throws...........8-5When same number of free throws taken...........1-0When opponent shoots 50% or better (FG)........2-1When opponent shoots less than 50% (FG) ....15-7When Liberty has more turnovers ................ .....9-5When opponent has more turnovers ............ .....8-3When turnovers are the same ...................... .....0-0When Liberty blocks more shots .................. ...10-2When opponent blocks more shots .............. .....6-5When blocks are the same ........................... .....1-1When Liberty has more steals ...................... .....7-3When opponent has more steals .................. .....8-4When steals are the same ............................ .....2-1When Liberty bench outscores opponent .... .....9-2When opponent bench outscores Liberty ..... .....8-4When both benches score the same ............ .....0-2When Liberty scores 50 or fewer points ....... .....0-1When Liberty scores 51-60 points ................ .....3-3When Liberty scores 61-70 points ................ .....7-2When Liberty scores 71-80 points ................ .....2-2When Liberty scores 81 or more points ........ .....5-0When the game is decided by 1-5 points ..... .....6-3When the game is decided by 6-10 points ... .....5-2When the game is decided by 11+ points .... ......6-3November Games ........................................ .....4-4December Games ........................................ .....5-2January Games ............................................ .....7-1February Games.................................................1-1March Games ............................................... .....0-0Sunday ......................................................... .....1-2Monday ......................................................... .....0-0Tuesday ........................................................ .....1-2Wednesday ................................................... .....0-1Thursday........................................................ .....5-1Friday............................................................. .....3-0Saturday ....................................................... .....7-2
Chasing Dad After scoring nine points in Liberty’s contest against Radford on Saturday, Evan Gordon now has 746 career points. The sophomore’s father, Eric Gordon, Sr., holds a place in the Liberty record books as a member of the 1,000-point club with 1,154 career points. The elder Gordon is 16th all-time on Liberty’s scoring list.
Among the Nation’s Best John Brown and Jesse Sanders are both listed among the top 20 nationally in the latest NCAA statistical report. Brown is ranked No. 12 in the nation with 10.6 rpg and is tied for No. 14 with 12 double-doubles. Meanwhile, Sanders sits at No. 12 nationally with 6.4 apg. As a team, Liberty’s is No. 15 in the country in rebound margin (+6.8) and three-point fi eld goal defense (29.6 percent).
Home Court Advantage? The Flames are looking to improve its record at home this season, after fi nish-ing 8-6 (.571) inside the Vines Center last season. The winning percentage was the team’s lowest since the 2005-2006 season, when the Flames went 6-7 (.462) at home. Liberty’s lowest winning percentage inside the Vines Center occurred during the 1990-91 season, when the Flames went 3-8 (.375) during home games. The fol-lowing season, Liberty turned things around, fi nishing the season 14-1 at home and claiming its best winning percentage in the Vines Center (.933).
The Brothers Sanders After suiting up for the Flames for two seasons, starting point guard Jesse Sand-ers is joined this season by his younger brother, John Caleb. The brothers reunite after playing two seasons together with the HCYA Warriors (2006-07, 2007-08). Jesse, who averaged 8.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game last season, became the fi rst player in Big South and school history to garner two career triple-doubles when he posted 11 points, 10 boards and 10 assists against Kentucky Christian on Dec. 12. Sanders’ fi rst three-category performance occurred during his freshman season against Presbyterian College. Much like Liberty’s fl oor general, John Caleb has spent his high school career in the Homeschool Christian Youth Association (HCYA), matching up with the top 5A and prep schools in the Houston area. During his junior year, he was named to the All Greater Houston third team, averaging 28 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game and 4.7 assists per game. John Caleb helped the Warriors win three national homeschool championships, including one with his older brother.
Liberty-Nigeria Connection Sommy Ogukwe, a 6-7 freshman forward from Abuja, Nigeria, is not the fi rst Lib-erty player born in the African nation. In fact, two of the four players whose jerseys are retired at Liberty are Nigerian natives – Peter Aluma and Julius Nwosu. Nwosu, who played three seasons for the Flames (1991-1993), is a member of Liberty’s 1,000-point club, fi nishing his collegiate career with 1,248 points (14th all-time). Nwosu is also second on Liberty’s all-time list in blocks with 112. The cen-ter was the fi rst Liberty player to ever play in the NBA, suiting up for three different teams – the San Antonio Spurs (1995), the Boston Celtics (1997) and the Utah Jazz (2000). Nwosu is a native of Imo, Nigeria, which is approximately 372 miles from Ogukwe’s hometown of Abuja. Aluma, a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at Liberty is seventh on Liberty’s all-time scoring list with 1,715 career points. The former center holds the re-cord for most blocks in a career by a Liberty payer with 366. In his freshman season with the Flames, he helped Liberty win its fi rst Big South Championship and advance to its fi rst ever NCAA Tournament in 1994. In 2008, he became the second Liberty athlete to be inducted into the Big South Hall of Fame. Aluma is a native of Lagos, Nigeria, which is approximately 466 miles from Abuja.
Liberty’s 2010-11 Starting Lineups
Game Date Opponent Result Record1 Nov. 12 Virginia Int. W, 82-65 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 1-02 Nov. 14 Notre Dame L, 51-72 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Ogukwe 0-13 Nov. 16 UNCW L, 64-69 OT Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Ogukwe 0-24 Nov. 18 Southern Va. W, 82-49 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 1-05 Nov. 21 Texas Tech L, 71-79 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 1-16 Nov. 23 USF L, 43-60 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 1-27 Nov. 26 MSVU W, 64-58 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 2-28 Nov. 27 Chicago St. W, 67-65 OTSanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 3-29 Dec. 2 Presbyterian W, 70-61 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 4-210 Dec. 4 Winthrop W, 75-72 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 5-211 Dec. 11 GMU L, 54-84 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 5-312 Dec. 18 W&M W, 71-62 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 2-013 Dec. 22 Hampton L, 59-62 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 2-114 Dec. 28 Union W, 84-47 Phillips Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 1-015 Dec. 31 GWU W, 64-62 OT Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 3-116 Jan. 02 UNCA W, 59-55 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 6-317 Jan. 06 CSU W, 59-55 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 4-118 Jan. 08 CCU L, 67-70 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 4-219 Jan. 13 HPU W, 66-60 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 5-220 Jan. 15 RU W, 61-53 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 6-221 Jan. 20 VMI W, 100-82 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 7-222 Jan. 27 UNCA W, 83-81 OTSanders Gordon Minaya Brown Vander Pol 8-223 Jan. 29 GWU W, 67-51 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 7-324 Feb. 03 CCU L, 77-71 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 7-425 Feb. 05 CSU W, 70-69 Sanders Gordon Minaya Brown Burrus 8-4
Men's Basketball National Ranking Summary Thru Games 02/06/2011
Back to team selectionsBig South - All Teams
Category Rank Actual National Leader ActualWon-Lost Percentage (336 ranked) 79 68.0 Ohio St. 100.0 Scoring Offense (336 ranked) 192 68.5 VMI 91.3 Scoring Defense (336 ranked) 90 64.8 Stephen F. Austin 53.8 Scoring Margin (336 ranked) 125 3.8 Duke 20.0 Field-Goal Percentage (336 ranked) 229 42.7 Kansas 52.0 Field-Goal Percentage Defense (336 ranked) 117 41.8 Alabama 36.2 Three-Point Field Goals Per Game (336 ranked) 282 5.0 VMI 11.5 Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage (336 ranked) 232 32.6 Northern Ariz. 43.5 Three Pt FG Defense (336 ranked) 15 29.6 Cal Poly 26.8 Free-Throw Percentage (336 ranked) 120 70.5 Wisconsin 82.8 Rebound Margin (336 ranked) 15 6.8 Pittsburgh 12.6 Assists Per Game (336 ranked) 173 12.9 Duquesne 18.9 Assist Turnover Ratio (336 ranked) 251 0.82 Wisconsin 1.78 Blocked Shots Per Game (336 ranked) 154 3.5 Northwestern St. 7.0 Steals Per Game (336 ranked) 123 6.9 Oregon St. 10.1 Turnovers Per Game (336 ranked) 288 15.7 Wisconsin 7.8 Turnover Margin (336 ranked) 241 -1.0 Duquesne 7.4 Personal Fouls Per Game (336 ranked) 206 19.4 Ohio St. 14.3
Category Player Rank Actual National Leader Actual
Points Per Game (250 ranked) Evan Gordon 220 15.0 Jimmer Fredette, BYU 27.6 Field-Goal Percentage (250 ranked) John Brown 65 51.4 Leon Powell, SEMoSt 63.8 Three-Point Field Goals Per Game (250 ranked) Evan Gordon 148 2.2 LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor 3.8 Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage (250 ranked) Nemanja Mitrovic, Portld 48.3 Free-Throw Percentage (250 ranked) Evan Gordon 206 78.7 Chris Warren, Miss. 94.5 Rebounds Per Game (250 ranked) John Brown 12 10.6 Kenneth Faried, Morehd 14.2 Assists Per Game (250 ranked) Jesse Sanders 12 6.4 D.J. Cooper, Ohio 7.7 Blocked Shots Per Game (250 ranked) Antwan Burrus 146 1.4 William Mosley, NW La 4.8 Steals Per Game (250 ranked) John Brown
Evan Gordon 98
121 1.71.6
Anthony Nelson, Niagra
3.3
Triple Doubles (30 ranked) Jesse Sanders
1
1.0
Kevin Galloway, TexSo. Josh Gasser, Wis. Devin Gibson, UTSA Terrell Holloway, Xavier Darius Morris, Mich. William Mosley, NW La Sam Muldrow, S.Caro Anthony Nelson, Niagra Jesse Sanders, Lberty Iman Shumpert, GaTechChris Singleton, Fla.St
1.01.01.01.01.01.01.01.01.01.01.0
Assist Turnover Ratio (250 ranked) Jesse Sanders 78 2.06 Jordan Taylor, Wis. 3.88 Triple Doubles (30 ranked) Jesse Sanders
1
1.0
Brad Tinsley, Vandy Kemba Walker, UConn
1.01.0
Double Doubles (30 ranked) John Brown 14 12.0 Jordan Williams, Md. 20.0 Triple Doubles (30 ranked) Jesse Sanders 1 1.0 Kaylon Williams, UW-Mil 1.0