This week’s ASOR Player of the Week, is Darius McGhee. Just when we think Darius McGhee couldn’t possibly do any better, he proves us wrong. This is the third consecutive week that we’ve named McGhee our POTW, and he arguably has had a better performance each week.
To begin this week, on Monday night against Central Arkansas, McGhee led the Flames with 34 points, seven rebounds, and four assists as Liberty won their final road game of the season. On Wednesday, McGhee recorded his second double-double of the year, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in the Flames’ heartbreaking overtime loss to FGCU. McGhee, however, saved his best performance of the week for last against Kennesaw State. On Senior Day, with the ASUN East Division on the line, McGhee set a new Liberty Arena single-game scoring record with 47 points, while tacking on nine rebounds and an assist. McGhee scored 25 of Liberty’s final 32 points, including two clutch free throws to send the game to overtime. McGhee scored 16 more in overtime to lead the Flames to a thrilling 100-93 victory over the Owls.
The reigning ASUN MVP has had quite the encore season and it is just a matter of time before McGhee is named the conference’s Player of the Year once again. The Roxboro, North Carolina native is the nation’s leader in total points and is averaging 24.7 points per game (second in the nation), along with 4.5 rebounds per game, 3.6 assists per game, and an average of 1.2 steals per contest. McGhee’s incredible performance this past week has moved him up to fifth on Liberty’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Steve Isaacs. McGhee is just one of four Liberty players to rank in the top 20 in career scoring, rebounding, and assists, joining Larry Blair, Caleb Homesley, and Lovell Cabbil.
McGhee has treated Flames fans to a historic and All-American worthy season. Not only has the senior set multiple records but owns the two highest individual scoring performances out of anyone in college basketball this season. On multiple occasions, McGhee has put the team on his back and led the Flames to victory.
While Liberty has proven they can win with McGhee as their main scoring source, the Flames are a much better team when the senior doesn’t have to do as much. Liberty is 10-8 when McGhee scores over 22 points but are a perfect 11-0 when McGhee scores in the 13–21-point range. The Flames need McGhee to score, and score a lot, but if the Flames can get solid production from other members on the team their chances of winning the ASUN Tournament will increase drastically.
With a tough tournament field ahead in the ASUN, the Flames will look to McGhee to continue his historic season, in hopes of winning a fourth consecutive ASUN Championship.
