I’ve always enjoyed reading the USA Today the morning after Selection Sunday. They’ve always done a good job having a capsule on each team in the tournament. I’ve used this many times to help aid filling my bracket out. Here is Liberty’s:
16B. Liberty
Nickname: Flames. Location: Lynchburg, Va.
Record:15-20, 6-10.Bid: Big South champ.
Last appearance: 2004, lost to Saint Joseph’s in first round.
Coach: Dale Layer, 0-1 in one appearance.
Overview: Flames are just the second 20-loss team to make the tournament, joining Coppin State in 2008. Liberty opened 0-8 but closed with five wins in eight days, taking down the top three in the Big South on its way . Solid team at the line, converting about 72%, and defending the three-point arc (30%).
Best wins: Charleston Southern, High Point.
Notable alumni: ESPN’s Samantha Ponder, ex-MLB player Sid Bream.
Starters: G Davon Marshall, 5-11, Jr. (12.8 ppg, 82.9 FT%, 40.2 3FG%); G John Caleb Sanders, 6-0, Jr. (13.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.5 apg); G Tavares Speaks, 6-4, Sr. (13.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 81.8 FT%); F JR Coronado, 6-8, Jr. (5.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg); F Andrew Smith, 6-9, So. (3.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg).
