Week one is in the books for Liberty University Men’s basketball program. It was a week of mixed emotions for most fans. We were treated to a cake-walk win against Regent University last Monday, followed by a resounding defeat by the Alabama Crimson Tide.

With two dramatically different results, it can be hard for fans to get a good understanding of what to expect from the Flames this season. I still think we have reasons to believe this team is a legit conference contender and will show a different side come March. 

Here are my two takeaways from week one and why I think you can remain hopeful, even after the Alabama game. 

  1. The guard play in the starting lineup. There were a number of questions about the lineup being too small with Darius McGhee and Colin Porter as the starting guards. An under-six-foot backcourt was concerning for some fans, but I think it proved to be a challenge for opponents. Colin Porter proved that he has the strength and athleticism to compete even with a Power Five opponent. He was on-balance on defense and didn’t get pushed around. Additionally, his active hands proved he is not simply surviving on defense, but helping the Flames get stops. If head coach Ritchie McKay continues to go with a Porter, McGhee, Joseph Venzant, Kyle Rode, and Shiloh Robinson starting lineup into conference play, I am very optimistic about the outcome of those games.  Getting Darius more touches by having him run some of the offensive sets in conjunction with Porter will help get his off-the-dribble scoring going. Once the ball-handling responsibilities balance out, this lineup will be formidable, especially in conference play. Ultimately, my takeaway is that Porter and McGhee are the ideal complements in the backcourt. This is why I referenced Porter as one the most important Flames this season. 
  2. Alabama as a wake-up call. I don’t use that phrasing to insinuate the Flames were asleep before their clash with the Crimson Tide. Rather, it serves as a sobering picture for fans and the team alike of what it will take to win if they make it to the NCAA Tournament in March. Thankfully, a whole season is a lot of time to build chemistry, trust, and cohesion. Partner the months of experience playing together with the frank reminder of how the Alabama game went, and I think Liberty has a legitimate opportunity to be a grittier team ready for the challenge in March. Any team with Alabama’s length, athleticism, and pace is going to be a formidable foe, so the Flames can benefit from this test in the postseason. Flames’ fans can always be proud that Coach McKay is willing to play any opponent and to walk into any test believing they have a chance to possibly win. We want to cheer for a program that believes they are capable of competing at the highest levels and has proven they can. 

Week one served as a reality check for what this season will entail for the Flames at the national level. Still, I’m just happy to have college basketball back.

Although player improvement is expected, I was pleasantly surprised by improvement in Venzant’s shooting and Peebles’ continual scoring prowess. It’s easy to look at the loss against Alabama and let the score-sheet do the talking.

The team, as a whole, looks improved, and offense will come a lot easier at the mid-major level. Fans, keep your optimism this season, as I do not believe it’s unfounded. College basketball is back, and It’s the most wonderful time of the year!