The McKay/UVA connection has been getting good press. McKay has praised UVA, and Tony Bennet, for how he has advanced as a coach. Even when LU beat UCLA, with the pack line defense, that had UVA undertones.

And to McKay, kudos to the job you have done. As one of your biggest detractors and questioning the second-time-around hiring, you have proven to be a good coach and great fit for LU. Winning the ASun regular season (tie with Lipscomb), and the ASun conference tourney, and likely to be a 12 or 13 seed, all first for LU, will McKay be solicited by UVA if Bennet bolts to UCLA?

McKay would be a good fit for UVA as he knows the philosophy of the program. He also has had success at LU with the almost identical philosophy. And he is taking LU to their highest post season men's basketball has had to date. Five seeds playing twelve seeds seems to be the most upset prone and a 12 for LU is a possibility.

I hope McKay stays at LU. He brings back a very strong senior team and loses only Cabbill to graduation. He's done a commendable job. And this time if he departs, I'll wish him well and root for him in the future. He deserves it.

So LU fans, enjoy this post season run. Let's hope McKay stays, brings another quality point guard for next season, and a least stays one more season. Another ASun 2 loss conference for 2019-2020 and it may be hard to keep him, if he does not find greener pastures before then.

I thought that McKay would be on the short list if Tony Bennett left. They may try to get someone with a higher profile. McKay has done well but has yet to win an NCAA tournament game. In fact, this is his first appearance with Liberty. Even Dale Layer made the tournament.

As for Bennett, I think it would be tough to go to UCLA. That is a fan base with insatiable expectations based on their history that is nearly impossible to duplicate.

I would not leave UVA to go to UCLA if I was Bennett. GE & MTS submitted some good reasons. Bennett has something good going on in Charlottesville and created an elite team.


I hope we have our own version/era here in the ‘Burg.

We’ve already got a good PG in Darius McGhee. I think he will be the best PG to play at Liberty by the time he graduates. As for McKay, I doubt he gets called up to UVA. That’s jumping some stepping stones. If we made a run to the elite eight maybe.

(03-17-2019 01:30 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  We’ve already got a good PG in Darius McGhee. I think he will be the best PG to play at Liberty by the time he graduates. As for McKay, I doubt he gets called up to UVA. That’s jumping some stepping stones. If we made a run to the elite eight maybe.

If LU made a run beyond the to the Elite 8, McKay could Presidents of the US and Russia and Prime Minister of Great Britain, all at once. If LU wins one NCAA tourney game, that would be a very strong accomplishment. Two wins a huge step forward. To the Elite 8, well LU would have as big of steps progressing the level of the athletics as ever.

And this is LU's best chance to be competitive in the tourney, and secure a win since LU with Alumna played UNC as a #16 seed, and was competitive for a half.

(03-17-2019 01:30 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  We’ve already got a good PG in Darius McGhee. I think he will be the best PG to play at Liberty by the time he graduates. As for McKay, I doubt he gets called up to UVA. That’s jumping some stepping stones. If we made a run to the elite eight maybe.

Even though he is 5'8", I believe McKay has plans for McGee to be more of a scoring guard rather than a point guard. Replacing Cabbill with his defensive mind set will be the biggest challenge for LU to meet next year. And LU needs some more beef and height around the basket. I love the intensity of Baxter-Bell, and his girth allows him to play bigger than his height. His size in the ASun allows him to back up James. That seems to be an area of vulnerability for LU playing teams bigger inside, especially with their back up players. Newton has the height but seems a bit slow to jump out and guard on the outside and make it back in time to collect his man. The UVA seven footer also has that challenge as was evident in the FSU game.

We have Josh Price who I have heard is nice with the three. We also have Maide coming in; this boy can ball! Plus Kyle Rhode and Shiloh Robinson (Forgot his first name). Rhode is a finalist for Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball and Robinson is the #2 prospect in Nebraska’s Prep boys basketball.

Rhode’s 24/7 Sports Profile:
https://247sports.com/Player/Kyle-Rode-46035968/

Robinson’s #2 along the other top prospects:

https://www.omaha.com/neprepzone/recruit...902c9.html

(03-30-2019 09:35 AM)usffan Wrote:  

USFFan

If this is true, I imagine Ritchie McKay is high on the list to replace Buzz Williams.

(03-30-2019 12:15 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  

(03-30-2019 09:35 AM)usffan Wrote:  

USFFan

If this is true, I imagine Ritchie McKay is high on the list to replace Buzz Williams.

And I just read an article in the N&A that McKay is listed as one of mid major coaches as potential to replace Buzz at VT.

(04-03-2019 12:57 PM)NewTimes Wrote:  

(03-30-2019 12:15 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  

(03-30-2019 09:35 AM)usffan Wrote:  

USFFan

If this is true, I imagine Ritchie McKay is high on the list to replace Buzz Williams.

And I just read an article in the N&A that McKay is listed as one of mid major coaches as potential to replace Buzz at VT.

That article was terrible. They literally just listed every good coach at smaller programs.

That is great news, and well deserved.

Was McKay at the NCAA Championship last night?

Coach McKay gets mentioned as UC replacement for Cronin.
https://local12.com/sports/uc-bearcats/5...basketball

(04-16-2019 03:56 PM)NewTimes Wrote:  Coach McKay gets mentioned as UC replacement for Cronin.
https://local12.com/sports/uc-bearcats/5...basketball

Pretty sure they hired Northern Kentucky's coach.