Liberty basketball is set to start the 2023-24 season when they face Mid-Atlantic Christian at Liberty Arena on Monday, Nov. 6. Get ready for this upcoming year with our season preview that covers the team from all angles – position previews, schedule review, roster, breakout candidates, who makes the rotation and much more.
The Flames finished the 2022-23 season at 27-9 and 15-3 in the ASUN. The Flames lost to Kennesaw State by just one point on a last second free throw in the conference championship game. Liberty went on to receive an at-large birth to the NIT, the program’s first ever appearance in the postseason tournament. Coach McKay and his team would knock off Villanova in the first round of the NIT before losing at Wisconsin.
Liberty returns much of its production from last season’s team, but, under eleventh year head coach (9th consecutive) Ritchie McKay the Flames must find a replacement for the leadership and scoring from one of the program’s all time greats in guard Darius McGhee.
“This group has impressed me with the way they play together, how selfless they are,” said Coach McKay of this year’s squad. “I think it’s true to who we recruited and how that is manifesting itself on the floor. I like our versatility. I like our ability to beat you, maybe, from different spots on the floor.”
Newcomers for the Flames include three class of 2023 signees. 7-footer Kai Yu joins the program from China while wings Jaylen Davis and Curtis Blair have also joined the team and are fighting for playing time.
“I love our freshmen,” said McKay. “Haven’t decided yet the degree to which we will choose to redshirt, that will be a decision we partner in. We will redshirt at least one, maybe two, maybe all three, I don’t know. We would do it because of how optimistic I am about how they can help us. I love the class that we’ve got. They are going to be really good players.”
The Flames have also brought in two transfers – former Bowling Green guard Kaden Metheny and former Creighton forward Zander Yates.
“Zander has had zero in terms of lag in conceptual formation or basketball,” McKay said of the transfers. “Kaden is a different one because he is really, really good. How he was used at his previous school is different than how I think he bests benefits our team.”
LIBERTY BASKETBALL ROSTER AND BIOS
#24 Curtis Blair III – Freshman Guard – 6-6, 210.
#25 Zach Cleveland – Sophomore Forward – 6-7, 215: Freshman Year – Cleveland played in 28 games, averaging 3.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He grabbed a career best 12 rebounds against Villanova in the NIT and had 7 points and 7 rebounds in just 13 minutes of action in the ASUN title game.
#12 Jaylen Davis – Freshman Guard – 6-5, 180.
#21 Gabriel McKay – R-Senior Guard – 6-2, 180: R-Junior Year – McKay played in 22 games while averaging 0.5 points and 0.4 rebounds per game. The son of head coach Ritchie McKay, Gabriel joined Liberty as a walk-on after two seasons at Division II Trevecca Nazarene. He played in 45 games over those two years, including six starts, while averaging 2.0 points and shooting 65.6% from the field.
#3 Kaden Metheny – R-Junior Guard – 5-10, 170: Transferring from Bowling Green, Metheny played in 64 games while making 63 starts over the previous 3 seasons. He averaged 10.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game last year.
#1 Brody Peebles – Junior Guard – 6-2, 170: Sophomore Year – He played in all 36 games last season, averaging 7.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. Peebles scored a career-high 24 points against Southern Miss on Nov. 18.
Freshman Year – Peebles averaged 5.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game after playing in all 33 games, including three starts. He scored a season high 18 points on Dec. 6 against Delaware State and reached double figures in six games.
#0 Colin Porter – Sophomore Guard – 5-9, 170: Freshman Year – Porter started all 36 games last year, was named to the ASUN All-Freshman and All-Tournament team. He averaged 7.8 points (third on team), 3.8 assists (led team), 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. In three ASUN Tournament games, he averaged 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
#33 Shiloh Robinson – Super Senior Forward – 6-7, 235: Senior Year – Shiloh played in all 36 games, making 14 starts. He averaged 7.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 27 points on 11 of 13 shooting against North Alabama on Jan. 12.
Junior Year – Robinson took a huge leap forward in his role, becoming one of the team’s best players. He played in all 33 games, making 31 starts, and averaged 9.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He was named the Hall of Fame Shootout MVP on Dec. 17 against East Carolina and posted his first career double-double on Feb. 3 at Bellarmine. Robinson scored in double figures in 16 games, including a career-high 21 points on Jan. 11 against North Florida.
#22 Kyle Rode – Super Senior Forward – 6-7, 220: Senior Year – Rode started all 36 games last year and earned ASUN second-team all-conference honors for a second year in a row. He averaged 10.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while scoring a season high 23 points in the ASUN title game. He became the 31st 1,000 point scorer in program history.
Junior Year – Rode earned ASUN Second Team All-Conference honors after playing in 33 games, starting 32, and averaging 9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He ranked first on the team in assists per game and finished the year No. 35 in the country in assist/turnover ration. Rode scored a career-high 24 points on Feb. 8 against Lipscomb and picked up his first career double-double on Feb. 5 at Eastern Kentucky.
#10 JC Shirer, Jr. – R-Freshman Guard – 6-3, 190: Freshman Year – Redshirted.
#34 Ben Southerland – R-Freshman Forward – 6-7, 210: Freshman Year – Redshirted.
#5 Bryson Spell – R-Sophomore Forward – 6-9, 225: R-Freshman Year – Spell appeared in 21 games while averaging 0.5 points and 0.6 rebounds per game.
#23 Joseph Venzant – Junior Guard – 6-3, 200: Sophomore Year – Venzant started all 36 games, averaging 4.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists, and 0.5 steals per game. He finished second on the team in rebounding, led the team with 64 offensive rebounds, and had 10 or more rebounds four times on the year.
Freshman Year – Venzant started in 31 games and played in all 33. He averaged 3.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. He scored a season high 13 points in the season opener against Regent and grabbed a season high 11 rebounds on Dec. 11 against SF Austin. Venzant reached double figures scoring in two games on the year.
#11 Zander Yates – R-Sophomore Guard – 6-7, 225: Transferring from Creighton, Yates appeared in 11 games during the 2022-23 season for a Blue Jays squad which reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA. He averaged 1.5 points per game and shot 36.4% from three-point range.
#45 Kai Yu – Freshman Forward – 7-0, 240.
2023-24 SCHEDULE
Nov. 6: vs Mid-Atlantic Christian
Nov. 10: vs Charlotte (Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC)
Nov. 16: vs Furman (Myrtle Beach Invitational)
Nov. 17: vs Wichita State/Coastal Carolina (Myrtle Beach Invitational)
Nov. 19: TBD Myrtle Beach Invitational
Nov. 25: vs Maryland Eastern-Shore
Nov. 30: at Florida Atlantic
Dec. 01: vs Charleston (in Boca Raton, Florida)
Dec. 05: vs Mississippi Valley State
Dec. 09: vs Grand Canyon
Dec. 13: vs Tennessee State
Dec. 16: vs St. Andrews
Dec. 20: at Utah Valley
Dec. 30: vs Alabama (in Birmingham, Alabama)
Jan. 01: vs Boyce
Jan. 06: at Western Kentucky*
Jan. 10: vs Jacksonville State*
Jan. 13: at Louisiana Tech*
Jan. 18: vs FIU*
Jan. 20: vs Sam Houston*
Jan. 27: at Jacksonville State*
Feb. 01: at New Mexico State*
Feb. 03: at UTEP*
Feb. 08: vs Middle Tennessee*
Feb. 10: vs Louisiana Tech*
Feb. 17: at Sam Houston*
Feb. 22: at FIU*
Feb. 29: vs New Mexico State*
Mar. 02: vs UTEP*
Mar. 06: at Middle Tennessee*
Mar. 09: vs Western Kentucky*
LIBERTY BASKETBALL SCHEDULE REVIEW
The Non-Conference
The non-conference schedule might not have a lot of power conference names on it, but it is one of the most challenging slates the Flames have played in recent history. It begins in the second game of the year as Liberty takes on last year’s CBI champs, Charlotte on a neutral floor in the Queen City.
Immediately following that, the Flames head to Myrtle Beach where they will take on three very strong mid-major programs. It opens the MBI against Furman who defeated Virginia in last year’s NCAA Tournament. The Flames could also play Wichita State and a third game against a strong mid-major team as well.
Liberty will play in the first year of a three-year series against Florida Atlantic and Charleston. This year’s games will be played on campus at FAU, a Final Four participant a year ago while Charleston was an NCAA Tournament team.
The Flames will play host to Grand Canyon, another NCAA Tournament team from a season ago. Games at Utah Valley and against Alabama in Birmingham also highlight the slate.
Toughest Stretch
The first month of the season is going to be very challenging for the Flames. Beginning November 10th against Charlotte, followed by three challenging games in Myrtle Beach. The Flames conclude the month in South Florida against FAU and Charleston. That’s at least three NCAA Tournament teams from last year in the first month, including a Final Four participant in FAU who is ranked in the top 10 in the preseason.
5 Most Difficult Games
At Alabama (December 30). Under Nate Oats, the Crimson Tide have been one of the best teams in the SEC in the past few seasons, and they are once again expected to compete in that league and advance to the NCAA Tournament. This game is on a neutral floor in Birmingham, but the crowd will certainly be partial to Alabama.
At FAU (November 30). The Owls were the toast of the town last year as they made a run to the Final Four. It wasn’t a shocking upset in their run as FAU was a Top 25 most of the season. They were under-seeded at No. 9 but proved their worth during March. Now, FAU returns most of last year’s team and is a preseason Top 10 team.
At Louisiana Tech (January 14). The Bulldogs are expected to be one of the top teams in the CUSA this season, with KenPom ranking them as the 2nd best team in the league behind Liberty.
At Western Kentucky (January 6). The Hilltoppers have plenty of talent. Behind a new coach, if they can put all the pieces together, they can compete for a conference title.
Vs Grand Canyon (December 9). This game should have an electric environment in Liberty Arena as Grand Canyon, one of the favorites in the WAC, makes the trek to Lynchburg.
POSITION PREVIEW: GUARDS
Projected Starters
Colin Porter: As a true freshman, Porter established himself last year not only as a reliable player at point guard but as one of the team’s top players. This year, with Darius McGhee playing professionally, it’s possible that Porter grows into the team’s best player and leading scorer.
Kaden Metheny: Metheny is a veteran who has plenty of playing experience under his belt in the MAC. He brings that to Liberty where he is expected to slide into the starting lineup. Metheny has a game very similar to that of Porter’s and can also be one that could lead the team in scoring.
Joseph Venzant: Now entering his third season in the program, Venzant has become one of the team’s leaders. He’s established himself as a top defender at the mid-major level and is also one of the better rebounding guards.
Key Reserves
Brody Peebles: Peebles has the ability to light up the scoreboard at any given time. We’ve seen it throughout the first two years of his career and he should have a similar role to that of last year. With the depth behind him at guard unproven, Brody will certainly have his opportunities to make a big impact.
Biggest Question
Do the Flames have enough depth? We know of the top four guards, will another emerge? True freshmen guards Jaylen Davis and Curtis Blair are the most likely options. Will they be able to step up?
POSITION PREVIEW: FORWARDS
Projected Starters
Kyle Rode: The 5th year senior is back as he looks to conclude his career on top. Rode has played in the shadows of some of the greatest Liberty basketball players in school history. First Caleb Homesley and then Darius McGhee. Now, Rode has the chance to shine and is the unquestioned team leader. Will we see him take on a much larger role as a scorer in McGhee’s absence?
Shiloh Robinson: Like Rode, Robinson is back for his 5th season. That experience can significantly help the Flames in the transition to Conference USA which is sure to test the team each and every night. Shiloh is a lock down defender in the front court and can also knock down an open shot. He has the potential to average double figures in scoring.
Key Reserves
Zach Cleveland: We saw Cleveland’s growth throughout last year. By the end of the season, once he had gotten back to full strength following a midseason illness, Cleveland demanded more playing time. He was one of the best players on the court for the Flames. There’s a chance the standout sophomore even breaks into the starting lineup. What can his ceiling be?
Zander Yates: The transfer from Creighton has a chance to crack the rotation in his first year at Liberty. He has the ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting and can be a weapon on offense. His playing time may depend on how quickly he learns the Packline.
Biggest Question
Will Kai Yu play as a true freshman? The first 7-footer the Flames have had in several years, he has stretch forward potential. The transition from China to playing basketball in the States at the Division I level is certainly a big adjustment and is the biggest reason he is likely to redshirt.
BREAKOUT CANDIDATES
Which Liberty players could have breakout seasons this year?
Kaden Metheny: Metheny could lead the team in scoring. He’s been a double figure scorer most of his career at Bowling Green in the MAC, a similar conference to that of the CUSA. He can affect the game with his shooting as well as his ability to attack the basket. He will become a household name for the Flames by the end of the season.
Zach Cleveland: After an impressive closing to his freshman season, Cleveland is poised for a breakout. It will be interesting to see how consistent he can become in his game this season. Also, don’t forget his ability to play as a point forward with his ball-handling and passing skills.
Colin Porter: It might sound crazy to think a returning starter can be a breakout player this season, but Porter definitely can. There’s a path for him to become the team leader on the floor and become an all-conference performer. Could he even lead the team in scoring?
