Twenty-nine victories. A win in the NCAA Tournament. It certainly was a historic 2018-19 season for Liberty University Men’s Basketball after winning the ASUN regular season crown and the ASUN Championship title in just its first season in the conference. Flames Nation experienced some of the most memorable wins in school history, defeating UCLA at the historic Pauley Pavilion and defeating Lipscomb in the ASUN Championship. The historic season continued in the NCAA Tournament with the program’s first-ever win in the “Big Dance,” upsetting Mississippi State in the First Round to advance to the Round of 32. For building something special in Lynchburg, Head Coach Ritchie McKay was named the 2019 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year, which recognizes the best coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball.
Another exciting season lies ahead for McKay’s squad. The team was chosen to win the 2019-20 ASUN men’s basketball title as voted by the ASUN coaches and media in a preseason poll, and Caleb Homesley was picked as the Preseason Player of the Year. Scottie James was named to the Preseason All-Conference Team. Many familiar faces return to the court, as 74 percent of Liberty’s offense is back from last year’s squad, including Elijah Cuffee, Darius McGhee, and Keegan McDowell. Liberty will bring back arguably one of its best senior classes in school history in Myo Baxter-Bell, Homesley, James, and Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz. The Flames also welcome their highest-rated recruiting class in school history in Marten Maide, Shiloh Robinson, and Kyle Rode.
The Flames will host 14 games in Lynchburg that include renewing an in-state rivalry with Radford and also welcoming Navy to campus. Fans will want to fill up the Vines Center one last time (before the Liberty Arena becomes the Flames’ new home next year) to witness another exceptional season at home. The Flames won 29 games at home over the last two years, including a school record 16 games last season.
The first game is set for Nov. 8 at home against Radford. Season tickets will be in high demand, so do not lose out on your opportunity to catch the Flames in action. Purchase tickets by calling the Flames Ticket office at 434-582-SEAT (7328).
View the team’s full schedule at LibertyFlames.com.
