If you haven't been watching Liberty Flames mens basketball lately, you’re missing the most consistent machine in mid-major hoops. Seriously. While everyone is busy arguing about the blue bloods and NIL collectives, Ritchie McKay has quietly built a culture in Lynchburg that doesn't just win games—it crushes expectations.
People think Liberty is just "that school that shoots a lot of threes." It's a lazy take. Honestly, if you look at how they’re playing in 2026, it’s much more about a surgical, almost annoying level of efficiency. They don't just beat you; they make you feel like you've been solved.
The 2025-26 Season is Actually Getting Scary
Right now, the Flames are sitting at 14-3. More importantly, they’re 6-0 in Conference USA as of mid-January. They just finished a nail-biter against New Mexico State, winning 73-71 at Liberty Arena.
It wasn't pretty.
The Flames led by 17 at the half and almost coughed it up. But that’s the thing about this specific team—they have this weird, veteran composure. Even when Anthony Wrzeszcz and the Aggies were mounting a furious second-half comeback, Liberty didn't panic. Zach Cleveland, who basically plays point-center for this team, just crossed the 1,000-point career mark in that game. He’s the engine. He leads the team in rebounds (8.6) and assists (7.5). Find me another 6'7" forward in the country doing that. You can't.
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Why the "Pack-Line" Defense is Different Now
Most fans know McKay is a Tony Bennett disciple. They run the "Pack-Line" defense, which is basically a fancy way of saying they stay between the ball and the basket and refuse to let you drive.
But this season? They're faster.
They aren't just sitting back. They're forcing teams into long, contested jumpers and then killing them on the other end with a transition game that people don't expect from a McKay-coached squad. They currently rank in the top 10 nationally in effective field goal percentage (eFG%). That's not an accident. It's the result of Colin Porter and Kaden Metheny knowing exactly when to push and when to pull the reins.
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The Roster: A Mix of Vets and New Blood
If you’re looking for why Liberty flames mens basketball is dominating CUSA, look at the backcourt.
- Brett Decker Jr.: The kid is a flamethrower. He’s averaging 17.7 points and shooting a ridiculous 50% from deep.
- Colin Porter: The senior general. He’s the guy who hits the free throws (92.3%) to ice games.
- Kaden Metheny: A steadying hand who can go for 20 on any given night.
Then there’s the bench. Josh Smith has been huge lately. In the New Mexico State win, he provided all 14 of the team's bench points. That kind of depth is what wins tournaments in March. You can't just key in on Decker and Cleveland because someone like J.J. Harper will just back-cut you to death.
The Recruiting Trail is Heating Up
McKay isn't just winning with what he has; he’s loading up for the future. He recently announced the 2026 early signing class, and it's being called one of the best in school history. We're talking about a class ranked #50 in the country.
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Eli Sancomb is the name you need to remember. He’s a 4-star recruit out of West Virginia, ranked around #101 nationally. McKay compared him to former Liberty greats like Kyle Rode because of his "determination to win." They also signed Reece Davidson and Eli Herbert. It’s clear the program isn't going anywhere once the current seniors move on.
What's Next for the Flames?
The schedule doesn't get easier. They’ve got a massive road trip coming up, including a visit to Western Kentucky on January 21. That’s always a house of horrors for visiting teams.
If they want to stay perfect in the league, they have to clean up the second-half lulls. Shooting 77% in a half—like they did against Sam Houston recently—is great, but relying on that isn't a sustainable strategy for a deep NCAA tournament run. They need to keep the defensive intensity up for a full 40 minutes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the Assist Numbers: If Zach Cleveland has more than 6 assists, Liberty almost never loses. His ability to facilitate from the post is the x-factor.
- Monitor the Three-Point Volume: When the Flames shoot more than 25 threes, they’re usually dictating the pace. If that number drops, it means they're being forced into a grind-it-out game they might not want.
- Check the Bench Scoring: As teams start to scout Decker Jr. more heavily, the scoring from guys like Josh Smith and Zander Carter will determine if this team is a 12-seed or something higher come March.
The reality is that Liberty has evolved. They’re no longer just a "mid-major darling." They’re a perennial power that’s built to last. If you're betting against them in the CUSA tournament in Huntsville this March, you’re probably going to lose money.
To keep up with the team, make sure to watch their upcoming linear TV games on CBS Sports Network and ESPNU. The next big test is the home game against UTEP on January 17, where they’ll be giving away mini basketballs to the first 1,000 fans. Get there early.