Liberty forward Isaiah Ihnen goes up for a dunk during Liberty's home opener against Carolina University.
Bryson Gordon
The Liberty men's basketball squad has already checked off a number of boxes in its first three games of the season. This weekend in Charleston, South Carolina, the Flames will have the opportunity to fill in a couple more.
The team flexed its muscles for a 20-point victory in the season opener against Valparaiso. Against Seattle, the Flames clawed out a late comeback for a gritty road victory over a quality mid-major program when Kaden Metheny nailed two 3-pointers in the final 1:03, including the game-winner with 3.7 seconds left to win 66-64.
And in the home opener against Carolina University, they rolled to an expected comfortable margin of victory, 81-45, despite an uncharacteristic night (29%) from deep.
During the Field of 68 Media Network Tip-Off event in Charleston this weekend, the Flames will get to test their intriguing roster against a pair of premier mid-major programs, facing Florida Atlantic at 6 p.m. on Saturday and the College of Charleston at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The games will be available on YouTube.
It's the second season Liberty has participated in the three-year round-robin series. The games will come to Lynchburg in 2025.
The Flames went 0-2 in the series last year, losing to Charleston by nine the day after falling to the Owls, who were ranked No. 13 and fresh off a trip to the Final Four at the time, 83-58.
The rosters and benches of the Owls and Cougars look drastically different this season. Both head coaches are gone and the teams rank toward the bottom of the nation in continuity from a season ago, per KenPom.
But both programs still present quality tests for Liberty, possibly two of the strongest in non-conference play. The Owls (2-2) were 12th in the nation in scoring entering Friday, averaging 96.7 points. The Cougars (3-0) have claimed two double-digit wins over Southern Illinois and South Florida.
In Friday night's Field of 68 Tip-Off opener, Charleston's Ante Brzovic, who led the nation in scoring entering the day and improved his mark with a 39-point outing, hit a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired to drop the Owls in double-overtime, 119-116.
"I've snuck a peek at both of them and they're really good," coach Ritchie McKay said following the Seattle win. "So I think games like this help prepare you for your league."
The Flames have looked like a team ready to springboard into Conference USA contention through three games, doing so with a scoring attack spread out over a handful of contributors.
Kaden Metheny, who rested during the Carolina University game but is expected to return versus FAU on Saturday, leads the team with 15.5 points per game. Jayvon Maughmer (10.7) is the only other Flame above double figures.
The Flames' rotation against Carolina University likely plays a role in that. McKay played 13 guys for 12-plus minutes each. Freshman Brett Decker, who could carve out a role for himself despite the depth at guard, led the team with 18 points on 4-of-10 shooting from deep.
"Brett's not your normal freshman. He's really good," McKay said.
The Flames have four guards shooting over 40% from deep through three games, Maughmer (6-10), Metheny (8-14), Decker (5-11) and Taelon Peter (5-12).
FAU is top-20 in the nation in tempo, while Charleston is top-40 so far this season. Liberty remains one of the more slow-tempo teams in the country, making this weekend a clash of style that the Flames' guards, including Colin Porter, will look to control.
Owls guard Leland Walker leads his team with 5.7 assists, and is second with 13.3 points per game entering Friday. Florida State transfer Baba Miller gives FAU unusual length at the forward spot with his 6-foot-11 frame and 7-2 wingspan. He's averaging 9.7 points and almost three steals per game entering this event.
Liberty will look to match that with Zach Cleveland and Owen Aquino, and hope to get a breakout game from Isaiah Ihnen. Aquino took just two shots against Carolina University, but showed his abilities against Seattle and Valpo. Cleveland remains the linchpin of the Liberty offense, with a 3.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
McKay wants Ihnen (0-7 on 3s) to stay engaged despite a tough shooting start. His size and versatility in the front court could be vital against FAU and Charleston, which plays through the 6-10 Brzovic.
"He'll be frustrated that he didn't make more 3s, but he's great around the rim," McKay said. "We need him to continue to be confident because he really helps us out there."
Saturday marks the beginning of Liberty's toughest non-conference stretch, culminating in the Paradise Jam on the U.S. Virgin Islands from Nov. 22 to 25. The Flames will have a good idea of who they are 10 days from now. So far, it's been a seamless start, Peter said.
"The returners have done a great job in allowing us to play our game," he said, "but I think the new guys have done a good job of coming in and filling holes that were there that we felt like we needed to."
NOTE: Liberty announced the signing of three high school players for the 2025-26 roster during the early signing period. Guard Zander Carter (6-6) and forwards TJ Drain (6-8) and Drew Grimes (6-9) all signed to the Flames earlier this week. Carter averaged 22.7 points as a junior in Kentucky. Drain, from Florida, averaged 19.8 points and 3.2 blocks per game during his junior season, while Grimes, who McKay touted as a breakout candidate, averaged 17.8 points on 43% from 3.
Bryson Gordon, (434) 385-5529
bgordon@newsadvance.com
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