Excitement abounds for the Liberty men’s and women’s basketball teams heading into the 2021-22 season. The Flames and Lady Flames enjoyed a successful inaugural season at Liberty Arena, going a combined 25-0 at their new home court and 42-14 overall in 2020-21.
This fall, the Flames are eager to open the Liberty Arena at full capacity for the first time. The 2021-22 home schedule is headlined by a visit from SEC member Missouri’s men’s basketball team on Dec. 2 and a matchup with ACC member Virginia Tech’s women’s basketball squad on Dec. 7.
Liberty men’s basketball has been on a historic run the past three seasons, winning three straight ASUN regular-season titles and three straight ASUN Tournament championships. The Flames are the only team in the country to achieve that feat during each of the last three seasons. Liberty men’s basketball has proven to be one of the nation’s top programs over recent years. With 82 wins in the last three seasons, Liberty ranks third in the country behind Gonzaga (95 wins) and Houston (84 wins).
Liberty returns three starters from last year’s squad, including reigning ASUN Player of the Year Darius McGhee. The junior is coming off a sensational season in which he ranked No. 4 in the nation in three-pointers made. McGhee was the third Liberty player in the last two seasons to be named to the Lou Henson All-America Team, joining Caleb Homesley and Scottie James after averaging 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game this past season. Lethal at all three levels, McGhee shot 45.8 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from three-point range and 84.8 percent from the free throw line. Liberty also returns Kyle Rode, who is entering his junior year and is coming off an exceptional season in which he started all 29 games, averaging 7.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists and was named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team.
The Flames are led by Head Coach Ritchie McKay, who is coming off back-to-back ASUN Coach of the Year honors. McKay leads a squad that currently owns a 36-game winning streak at home, which is the second-longest active winning streak in the country. The Flames ranked No. 3 in scoring defense last season, allowing just 60 points a game with six wins over Power 5 opponents in the last five seasons.
Like the Liberty men’s basketball team, the Lady Flames have advanced to the ASUN Tournament title game during each of their three seasons as conference members. This season, the Lady Flames will be looking to cut down the nets and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
Liberty Head Coach Carey Green is quite familiar with the NCAA Tournament, taking the Lady Flames into March Madness 14 times during his 22 seasons as head coach. Green should make history early on in the 2021-22 campaign, as he enters the season just five wins shy of 500 for his career.
Green’s teams have long been known for strong post play, and this year’s squad should be no exception. The Lady Flames will be anchored by the trio of 6’5” Bella Smuda, 6’3” Mya Berkman, and 6’2” Bridgette Rettstatt.
Smuda was a member of the 2021 ASUN All-Freshman Team while Berkman was the team’s leading rebounder (6.1 rebounds per game) and set a program record by making 68.9 percent of her field goals last season. Rettstatt, a second team All-ASUN performer in 2019, enters her final season needing only 125 points to reach 1,000 for her career.
Kennedi Williams takes over the reins as starting point guard this season. Playing in a reserve role a season ago, she paced the Lady Flames and ranked No. 4 in the ASUN with 3.5 assists per game.
Liberty brings a 17-game home winning streak into the 2021-22 campaign. The Lady Flames have 16 home games on this year’s slate, beginning with Belmont Abbey on Nov. 9 and wrapping up with a showdown against defending ASUN champion FGCU on Feb. 24. Other featured home games include matchups with Commonwealth rival James Madison (Nov. 18) and defending Big South champion High Point (Dec. 4).
FLAMES CLUB: Fans can support Liberty men’s and women’s basketball and enjoy special game day privileges by joining the Flames Club. The Flames Club exists to underwrite Liberty Athletics’ three-fold mission to Train Champions for Christ, provide a world-class student-athlete experience, and achieve victory with integrity. Membership starts at just $60, and members can enjoy preferred parking, seating, and pregame hospitality benefits, based upon membership level. Call 434-582-CLUB (2582), email FlamesClub@liberty.edu, or visit Liberty.edu/FlamesClub.
