After a week of celebrating last Sunday’s ASUN Championship, Ritchie McKay and the Flames will finally learn the next step of their path during Selection Sunday this Sunday at 6 p.m.
“We could careless if we’re 12, 13, 14, 15, that’s just a number by your name,” McKay said of the team’s possible seed in the NCAA Tournament. “What’s more important is how you’re playing, the confidence you have going in, and, I think, how you prepare for this moment because it’s a big stage. We won’t be defined by number or venue. Whether we got to go to San Jose or Salt Lake City, Jacksonville, Hartford, I’m excited just to go anywhere, it’s hard to get to the NCAA Tournament.”
Liberty’s performance all season, particularly in non-conference, will allow the Flames to bypass a 15 or 16 seed and fall somewhere between a 12 and a 14. This advantage cannot be overstated. Since 1985, 15 and 16 seeds have won just 3% of their first-round games compared to 24% for 12-14 seeds. This path will also allow the Flames to not have to face a top 2 seed until the Sweet 16, at the earliest, if Liberty was to pull an upset or two.
The Flames Club will be hosting a watch party this Sunday to celebrate Liberty’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2013 as we all find out the pairing together. The doors will open at 5 p.m. in the Vines Center and is free to the public. The Selection Show begins at 6 p.m. on CBS. The men’s basketball team will be in attendance and light refreshments will be served.
“I’m going to enjoy it with these guys,” senior guard Lovell Cabbil said. “Being here 4 years with them, they’ve been able to make me a better person. I just can’t wait to share that moment with them.”
Cabbil’s friend and teammate Caleb Homesley agreed.
“It’s going to be very special for us,” Homesley said of Selection Sunday. “This is everyone’s first Selection Sunday. I think it’s going to be pretty cool just to watch our name come across (the screen). It’s a good way for us to make Liberty known and what it stands for.”
Regardless of the who and the where, the Flames are confident they have what it takes to be a tough out in the Big Dance.
“I think we’re prepared for it,” McKay said. “I think our guys have a belief that we can win against anybody we play when we’re at our best. The trick is how do you get to your best.”
The entire season this team has played with confidence, whether it was early in the season on the road at Kent State, or at home against Georgia State, or on the road against the likes of UCLA, FGCU, and Lipscomb.
“I think Coach McKay and the staff have done a really good job of recruiting the right guys and preparing us every day with the defense and everything,” forward Scottie James said. “We are very confident. We’re never going to go into a game and be like, ‘Man, we’re going to lose this one.’”
Just a few more hours until we all find out Liberty’s opponent and location for its 4th ever Tournament appearance. An event that shines a brighter light on mid-major programs than they typically receive.
“I think we have the character to not be overwhelmed by the moment,” Coach McKay said. “At least, I hope I’m right.”
