The Flames finish the season with a 13-19 record with some up s and downs. Here’s our rapid reactions on the season as a whole:
- The team and coaching staff showed its potential during conference play. Liberty won 7 straight games and 9 out of 11 during the heart of conference play. Despite a late season 3 game losing streak and blowout loss in the Big South Tournament, we’ve seen the potential this team has.
- It’s hard to even remember how bad this team was back in November. Remember the last second win over sub-DI Covenant on opening night? How about the 13 game losing streak? Or the 0-3 start in Big South play? The improvement seen was drastic.
- It’s so great to have Ritchie McKay back at the helm after his 6-year tutelage under Tony Bennett. Expect to be competitive in the Big South, minimum, as long as he’s at the helm.
- John Dawson is all-conference performer. He’s a leader and a guy this team can be built around the next 2 seasons.
- It’s going to be fun to watch the progress of true freshmen Lovell Cabbil and Caleb Homesley. Both have the potential to be all-conference performers before their career is over.
- Evan Maxwell had an up and down season after starting the year so strong. He had a hard time adjusting to being at the top of team’s scouting reports, and with the emergence of Homesley in conference play, he lost plenty of minutes. Hopefully an offseason of work and confidence building will have him back to early season form. Don’t forget this guy’s potential. He went for 24 points and 12 rebounds back in December against Radford.
- Can’t wait until next year! The Flames will welcome at least 5 new faces in Brock Gardner, Xzavier Barmore, Josiah Talbert, Brody Hicks and Hayden Koval. Add that group to what’s returning and Liberty should have a team ready to compete at a high level all season.