FLAMES STILL LOOKING FOR ANOTHER GAME
Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay stated following Liberty’s game last week against Lancaster Bible College that the Flames were looking to add an additional non-conference game before the season is over. That is still the plan.
“It’s not easy,” McKay said when asked about scheduling an additional game. “Conference offices or Commissioner’s kinda control the number of games that member institutions can play. It seemingly is a consistent answer we get, ‘We’ll get back to you when we know what the conference is going to do in terms of rescheduling.’ Everyone is going through it, but we are actively looking for an additional game.”
For this season, the NCAA has given teams a maximum number of regular season games to play of 27. If Liberty is able to play its final six ASUN games and schedule an additional game, the Flames will play the full 27 games allotted. Not a small feat in a COVID year.
STAYING READY REGARDLESS OF OPPONENT
Over the past week, Liberty has had to suffer through several schedule changes. The Flames were originally scheduled to play North Florida a week ago. Then those games got canceled and Liberty quickly switched gears to play Lancaster Bible College. This week began with the Flames scheduled to travel to North Alabama, there were rumors of Liberty and Bellarmine meeting this weekend, before ultimately the ASUN put the games against North Florida back on the docket.
“We’ve prepared for three different opponents in the last 72 hours,” McKay explained on Thursday. “It’s a moving target I know the assistants are fatigued and they probably have so much offense swirling (in their head) that it’s been a challenge. I just think, for us, our advantage is we don’t change a whole lot for the given opponent. We really try and laser in on what makes us have a chance for success. A little taxing, but the whole season has been a little taxing. Not in a bad way, I just think your dependency, your consistency, those things need to be promoted and sewn into on a daily basis.”
“In a year like this, it would behoove you to stay grateful for the things that you do have and not live in a disposition of frustration, complaint, or envy,” said McKay. “I’m grateful there is a game on the schedule and hoping for save travels for the Ospreys.”
WATCHING HIS FORMER PLAYERS
The Flames were at practice Wednesday afternoon when former star Caleb Homesley made his professional debut in the G League. McKay and other members of the staff kept their eyes on the game as they were able to.
“I certainly did check the box after it just like I do all of the former players we’ve had – Joe Harris, Anthony Gill, Malcolm Brogdon,” said McKay. “I actually caught one of Scottie’s games on (Eleven Sports Network), I caught the last 10 minutes of his game. He had a rebound and a dunk and I thought, ‘Man, I wish I had him back,’ and then he turned it over the next time and I said, ‘Well, maybe not.'”
“I try and stay in touch with them,” McKay continued. “I miss them. That’s what college coaching is about. You get 4-5 years, sometimes 3 if a guy is that good, the quality of your relationship will always be tied to your authentic investment time. It’s your greatest commodity as a coach. When you can give them your time that they need or want, it usually heightens the relationship. I’m thankful that I got a chance to do life with those guys, obviously rooting and praying for them as they continue their professional pursuits.”
MCKAY IS A LECRAE FAN
You may have noticed McKay wearing a 1-1-six mask at certain times during this season. That is a Christian hip hop group signed to Reach Records. It features several artists including Lecrae. Turns out McKay is a huge fan, as you could expect from him wearing the mask.
“I love Lecrae,” he said. “I listen to it all the time. He actually came to the Final Four and he spoke and performed. I got a chance to meet him, great dude, he wouldn’t know me from Adam. I do listen and like his music. Their label has some tremendous artists on it – Wande, Gawvi – I’m a big fan.”
