Liberty basketball is set to start the 2024-25 season when they face Valparaiso in a neutral site game in Xenia, Ohio on Monday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. 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 2023-24 season at 18-14 and 7-9 in Conference USA. The Flames entered the CUSA Tournament as the 4-seed but lost to UTEP in the quarterfinals, 66-57. It brought to an end a streak of 7 straight 20-win seasons.
“The size, the length, the athleticism that Conference USA possesses was a little different for us,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “I think it took some getting used to. I like the way our group responded. We didn’t win as many games as we would have liked, but certainly feel like we grew in a lot of areas.”
Liberty loses two COVID-seniors from last year’s team in Kyle Rode and Shiloh Robinson, who are both currently playing professionally. Those two provided significant experience and leadership after being integral parts of the team’s success for the past five seasons.
The Flames will also be without key contributors Joseph Venzant and Brody Peebles who transferred following the conclusion of last season.
Kaden Metheny, Zach Cleveland, and Colin Porter are returning starters for the Flames. Metheny and Cleveland were each named to the CUSA preseason all-conference team.
Coach McKay and his staff turned to the transfer portal to bring in several additions to add to the team’s size and athleticism. Owen Aquino, Isaiah Ihnen, Jayvon Maughmer, Taelon Peter, and Josh Smith all join the Flames through the portal.
Brett Decker and Will Gibson have joined the team as true freshmen.
“We were able to do a great job in the transfer portal,” McKay said. “We picked up some transfers that came from really quality programs. Programs that had experienced a ton of winning. I think when you blend those new players with three returning starters, two of which had postseason honors and then a point guard that I think is really good, I think we have improved and I hope it shows itself on the court this year.”
LIBERTY BASKETBALL ROSTER AND BIOS
#8 Owen Aquino – Junior Forward – 6-8, 230: Transferring from the JUCO ranks at Eastern Florida State College, Aquino was named a NJCAA Division I All-America first team honoree and FCSAA Citrus Conference Player of the Year. He averaged 14.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while leading the Titans to a 27-5 record and conference title.
#24 Curtis Blair III – R-Freshman Guard – 6-6, 210: Freshman Year – Redshirted.
#25 Zach Cleveland – Junior Forward – 6-7, 220: Sophomore Year – Cleveland started all 32 games and was named second team all-CUSA. He averaged 11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game. He led the Flames in rebounds, assists, and blocks.
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.
#4 Brett Decker, Jr. – Freshman Guard – 6-3, 190.
#15 Will Gibson – Freshman Forward – 6-6, 225.
#7 Isaiah Ihnen – R-Junior Forward – 6-9, 220: Transferring from Minnesota, Ihnen played in 78 games over five seasons. He averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game last season while shooting 43.6% from the floor and 35.8% from three. He missed the 2022-23 and 2021-22 seasons due to injuries. Ihnen is originally from Germany.
#32 Jayvon Maughmer – R-Senior Guard – 6-6, 205: Transferring from Cedarville, Maughmer played in 116 games with 96 starts in four seasons. He started all 35 games last year, averaging 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 33.1 minutes per game. He was named the GMAC player of the year as well as an NCCAA All-America first team member. Maughmer led Cedarville to the NCCAA men’s basketball championship title. He shot 51.9% from the floor and 40.8% from three.
#21 Gabriel McKay – R-Senior Guard – 6-2, 180: Last season, McKay appeared in all 32 games while averaging 2.1 points and 0.5 rebounds per game. He scored a career high 10 points against Mississippi Valley State and Mid-Atlantic Christian.
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-Senior Guard – 5-10, 170: Junior Year – Metheny started all 32 games for the Flames and was named to the CUSA third team all-conference. He averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. He led CUSA in three point percentage at 41.2 percent.
#2 Taelon Peter – Senior Guard – 6-4, 210: Peter played for three seasons at Arkansas Tech, making 69 starts in 88 games. He averaged 15.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in those three years while scoring 1,321 points. Last season, he started all 32 games and led the team with 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while leading his team to the GAC Championship title and a share of the regular season title. He was named the GAC player of the year.
#0 Colin Porter – Junior Guard – 5-10, 170: Sophomore Year – Porter started all 32 games last year, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game. His 3.0 assist/turnover ratio was first in CUSA and 20th in the nation.
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.
#10 JC Shirer, Jr. – R-Sophomore Guard – 6-3, 195: Sophomore Year – Shirer appeared in eight games while averaging 1.6 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 0.4 steals per game.
Freshman Year – Redshirted.
#12 Josh Smith – R-Senior Forward – 6-9, 225: Smith transfers from Stetson where he started 60 games in 04 appearances over four seasons. He had 11 starts and played in 14 games last season, averaging 8.4 points and 5.7 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game. He will miss the 2024-25 season due to injury.
#5 Bryson Spell – R-Junior Forward – 6-9, 230: R-Sophomore Year – Spell played in 14 games while averaging 0.9 points and 1.1 rebounds per game.
R-Freshman Year – Spell appeared in 21 games while averaging 0.5 points and 0.6 rebounds per game.
#11 Zander Yates – R-Junior Forward – 6-8, 225: R-Sophomore Year – Yates appeared in 27 games while averaging 2.0 points and 0.7 rebounds per game. He made 36.8% (14-of-38) of his three point attempts on the season, his first year at Liberty after transferring from Creighton.
#45 Kai Yu – R-Freshman Forward – 7-0, 235. Freshman Year – Redshirted.
2024-25 SCHEDULE
11/04 vs Valparaiso (in Xenia, Ohio)
11/09 @ Seattle
11/12 vs Carolina University
11/16 vs FAU (in Charleston, SC)
11/17 @ Charleston
11/22 Louisiana (Paradise Jam)
11/24 TBD (Paradise Jam)
11/25 TBD (Paradise Jam)
11/29 vs Central Penn
12/07 vs Mississippi Valley State
12/14 vs North Carolina A&T
12/17 vs St Andrews
12/21 vs UT Arlington
01/02 vs Western Kentucky*
01/04 vs Middle Tennessee*
01/09 @ Sam Houston*
01/11 @ Louisiana Tech*
01/16 vs UTEP*
01/18 vs New Mexico State*
01/25 @ FIU*
01/30 @ Kennesaw State*
02/01 @ Jacksonville State*
02/06 vs Louisiana Tech*
02/08 vs Sam Houston*
02/13 @ New Mexico State*
02/15 @ UTEP*
02/22 vs FIU*
02/27 vs Jacksonville State*
03/01 vs Kennesaw State*
03/06 @ Middle Tennessee*
03/08 @ Western Kentucky*
03/11-15 CUSA Tournament in Huntsville, Alabama
LIBERTY BASKETBALL SCHEDULE REVIEW
The Non-Conference
The Flames start with a difficult stretch right out of the game, playing their first seven Division I contests away from home, including games against 2024 NCAA Tournament teams FAU and Charleston. Liberty will conclude the early road swing with three games in the Paradise Jam, opening against Louisiana on Nov. 22.
The home portion of the non-conference schedule is light on quality opponents, but UT Arlington should provide a nice challenge at Liberty Arena just ahead of the Christmas break. The Flames also have three non-Division I opponents on the schedule.
Toughest Stretch
Focusing on the conference slate for this section, the Flames’ first four games are against teams expected to compete for the conference title. Fortunately, the first two are at home before hitting the road for a tough two-game road swing.
Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee at home just after New Year’s before heading to Sam Houston and Louisiana Tech will provide a great barometer test for the team at the start of the conference season.
5 Most Difficult Games
At Seattle (November 9). This game will fly under the radar for most of Liberty’s fans, but it will be a difficult challenge very early in the season. Seattle has won 20+ games in their first three seasons under head coach Chris Victory and are expected to compete for a WAC title this season.
Vs FAU (November 16). The Owls are coming off one of the most successful two-year runs a mid-major has ever had. Now, they have a new coaching staff and new look roster. Still, FAU will have plenty of talent on the team and a championship DNA, making this a very challenging neutral site contest.
At Charleston (November 17). Just one day after taking on FAU, the Flames will have to turn around and play on the road against a Charleston team that is coming off consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. New head coach Chris Mack should have them right back in the mix in the CAA.
At Sam Houston (January 9). Liberty’s first road trip of conference play comes against the reigning CUSA regular season champs. The Bearkats, under head coach Chris Mudge, are expected to compete for a CUSA title once again.
At Louisiana Tech (January 11). Two days after the Sam Houston game, Liberty stays on the road and takes on Louisiana Tech, the CUSA preseason favorite. Daniel Batcho will provide a stiff challenge for everyone in the CUSA with his size in the paint.
POSITION PREVIEW: GUARDS
Projected Starters
Colin Porter: Porter has been a starter during his first two seasons playing for the Flames, and he will certainly be in the mix once again this season. He is a true, traditional point guard with his ability to manage a game while also being one of the best in the league at distributing and taking care of the basketball.
Kaden Metheny: Metheny could step into the role of the team’s top scorer this season. He can score at all different levels and is a prolific three-point shooter. He can also handle the ball and take some of the load off Porter.
Jayvon Maughmer: McKay has always liked going with three (or more) guards in his lineups. Expect the same for much of the time this coming season once again even though we will likely see three forwards on the floor at once in certain situations. Maughmer and Peter are both battling for a starting position, and it could go back and forth early in the season on who actually is in the starting lineup. They each bring length, athleticism, and scoring ability at the position for the Flames.
Key Reserves
Taelon Peter: If Maughmer starts, Peter will be one of the first guys off the bench and vice versa. Peter could be the most athletic player on the team and be on the lookout for his highlight reel dunks at points during the season.
Gabriel McKay: McKay carved out a nice role for himself last season, playing off the bench and finding his spots to make an impact.
Brett Decker: The true freshman, Decker could force the coaching staff to put him on the floor as he has had a very strong off-season working out with the team.
Biggest Question
How frequently will we see both Porter and Metheny on the floor at the same time? Is their size disadvantage something the Flames will look to reduce by limiting the minutes they are both on the floor? Both bring significant things to the table and will have significant roles and playing time, but some CUSA teams were able to take advantage of their lack of height in conference play.
POSITION PREVIEW: FORWARDS
Projected Starters
Zach Cleveland: A preseason all-conference selection, Cleveland took a significant step last season to being one of the team’s top players. He can do it all – score, pass, rebound, defend. Cleveland’s biggest weakness last year was his shooting ability from range. If he can add that to his game, he could be an impossible matchup for most in the CUSA.
Owen Aquino: Aquino is a similar player to Cleveland with his ability to handle and distribute the ball. He also has some length and physicality the Flames lacked at times last year. Aquino also has the ability to step out and knock down an open shot.
Key Reserves
Isaiah Ihnen: Ihnen could be seen as a third starter in the frontcourt and may even get his shot to crack the starting lineup. We could also see all three of Cleveland, Aquino, and Ihnen on the court together at times. Ihnen comes from Minnesota and brings length and ability around the basket Liberty didn’t have last year. He can also step out and knock down a three pointer.
Biggest Question
Are the additions to the team going to be enough to compete for a championship in CUSA? The length and physicality of that competition wore on the Flames during conference play and was too much to overcome to compete for a conference championship. Do the Flames have enough in the paint this season?
BREAKOUT CANDIDATES
Which Liberty players could have breakout seasons this year?
Owen Aquino: The JUCO transfer could end up being the team’s best player. He has that skillset. How will he be able to compliment the game of Zach Cleveland? And how quickly will his game translate to this level?
Isaiah Ihnen: Ihnen struggled through injuries during his time at Minnesota. If he can stay healthy, he provides something the Flames haven’t had in quite some time with his ability to impact the game at the rim.
Brett Decker: There’s a scenario where Decker takes advantage of his time on the court as a true freshman and carves out a significant role on the team this season.
