Liberty Flames basketball - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

History

The Liberty Men's Basketball program began in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley. Liberty University is the second youngest school in NCAA Division I, founded in 1971 (Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University, also known as FGCU, is a coeducational public university located just south of the Southwest Florida International Airport in the South Fort Myers region of unincorporated Lee County, Florida, United States. The university belongs to the 11-campus State University...

founded in 1991). The Flames finished 13-14 in the inaugural season. As of the 2009-2010 season, the Flames have had 8 different head coaches of their Men's Basketball team (Dan Manley 1972-77, Harley Swift 1977-78, Dale Gibson

Dale Gibson

Dale Gibson is a former men's basketball coach at Liberty University . After leaving coaching, he served as a professor at Liberty where he started the school's Sport Management program...

1978-81, Jeff Meyer 1981-97, Randy Dunton

Randy Dunton

Randy Dunton is a former head men's basketball coach at Liberty University. He had been the assistant under head coach Jeff Meyer, who was subsequently let go in 1997. Dunton was named the interim head coach for 1997–1998, a season that saw the Liberty Flames defeat in-state rival Virginia...

1997-98 and 2003–2007, Mel Hankinson

Mel Hankinson

Mel Hankinson is a men's basketball coach and author. Hankinson has written a number of books and starred in videos on techniques for coaching basketball.Hankinson spent over three decades coaching at the collegiate level...

1998-2003, Ritchie McKay

Ritchie McKay

Ritchie Lawrence McKay is an assistant coach for the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team. Previously, the Indianapolis, Indiana native was the head coach of Liberty University, the University of New Mexico, Oregon State, Colorado State, and Portland State.-Biography:McKay got his first head...

2007-09, Dale Layer

Dale Layer

-External links:* *...

2009–present). As of the end of the 2008-2009 season, the Flames had an overall record of 524-555 (48.6%).

Liberty has reached post-season 3 times in its NCAA Division I history. The Flames fell to UNC

North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball

The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...

(71-51) in the first round of the 1994 NCAA Tournament

NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship

The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...

after winning the Big South tournament. Liberty lost to St. Joseph's

Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball

The Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team represents Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Its home court is the Hagan Arena. The team's only Final Four appearance in 1961 was removed from the NCAA records due to a gambling scandal. Through...

(82-63) in the 2004 NCAA tournament after crushing High Point

High Point University

High Point University is a private liberal arts university in High Point, North Carolina, USA, affiliated with the United Methodist Church.- Beginnings :...

(89-44) to claim its second Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

Tournament Championship. Upon falling in the semi-finals of the Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

tournament in the 2008-09 season, the Flames were invited to the inaugural CIT Tournament. Liberty defeated Rider

Rider Broncs

The Rider Broncs are the athletic teams of Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, United States. They compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference . Rider is the only member which is not a Catholic institution. For wrestling only, Rider is an associate member of the Colonial Athletic...

in the first round before falling to the JMU

James Madison Dukes

The James Madison University Dukes is the name given the athletics teams of James Madison University. The name "Dukes" is derived from Samuel Page Duke, the university's second president. JMU is a charter member of the Colonial Athletic Association, which sponsors sports at the NCAA Division I level...

in the quarterfinals. Liberty won the 1980 NCCAA National Championship against Point Loma College (68-65).

----

Dan Manley (1972–1977)

In 1972, Liberty University

Liberty University

Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty's annual enrollment is around 72,000 students, 12,000 of whom are residential students and 60,000+ studying through Liberty University Online...

, known then as Lynchburg Baptist College, played its first game in the National Christian College Association under head coach Dan Manley. The team practiced at the City Armory and Lynchburg Christian Academy, games were held at the Jefferson Forest High School. LBC's first victory came against Southland College, winning 88-45. That season LBC would finish 7-1. It was the following year in 1973 that LBC would play its first varsity schedule, finishing its first official season at 13-14.

Lynchburg Baptist College became Liberty Baptist College in 1975, changing its colors from green and gold to red, white and navy blue. That same year the Flame entered the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...

(NAIA), Mike Goad became Liberty's first basketball All-American.

Dan Manley

5 Seasons

Record: 58-74

Harley Swift (1977–1978)

Harley "Skeeter" Swift was named Liberty's second men's basketball coach. Mark Chafin was the second Liberty player to be name NCCAA All-American.

Harley Swift

1 Season

Record: 7-22

Dale Gibson (1978–1981)

Dale Gibson

Dale Gibson is a former men's basketball coach at Liberty University . After leaving coaching, he served as a professor at Liberty where he started the school's Sport Management program...

became Liberty's third men's basketball coach in 1978. Mike Goad, an assistant for Gibson at the time, became the first player in Liberty's history to have his jersey (44) retired. On November 30, 1979, the Flames opened Liberty Gym against Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a Christian liberal arts college located in Mount Vernon, Ohio.-History:The result of a 1960 education commission, Mount Vernon Nazarene was first chartered as the Zone A College of the Church of the Nazarene in 1964 by the church's General Assembly...

with a 95-81 win. On December 8, 1979, the Flames traveled to Lexington, Va to play VMI, their first NCAA Division I opponent, losing 106-58.

In 1980, Liberty joined the NCAA Division II level as an associate member. The Flames won the NCCAA National Championship and posted a 28-11 record. Karl Hess and Ed Vickers were named NCCAA All-Americans. Hess was also named a CoSIDA Academic All-American.

Dale Gibson

Dale Gibson

Dale Gibson is a former men's basketball coach at Liberty University . After leaving coaching, he served as a professor at Liberty where he started the school's Sport Management program...

3 Seasons

Record: 48-46

Jeff Meyer (1981–1997)

On March 25, 1981, Jeff Meyer was name Liberty's fourth men's basketball coach. Liberty Baptist became a full member of the NCAA Division II level and also became eligible for NAIA postseason competition. The Flames Sports Network began with Jerry Edwards handling the play-by-play. LBC moved into the new Liberty Gym. In 1982, Steve Isaacs became Liberty's first NAIA All-American. The next year Liberty is accepted as a member of the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC). The Flames finished fifth in the NAIA National Championships with a 23-9 record. Steve Isaacs was named NAIA All-American for the second straight year. Liberty Baptist joined the Mason-Dixon Athletic Conference.

In 1984, the Flames became eligible for NCAA Division II postseason competition. Ezra Hill became the first Liberty Baptist player drafted in the NBA. He was drafted in the 10th round by the Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...

. Liberty Baptist College became Liberty University

Liberty University

in 1985. Cliff Webber was named a Division II All-American by Basketball Times

Basketball Times

Basketball Times is an American basketball magazine that has been in circulation since 1978, and is published by The Hoop Group LLC. Basketball Times publishes monthly and mainly focuses on college basketball and basketball recruiting.- History :...

. Webber was drafted in the fourth round by the Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...

.

Liberty was accepted for NCAA Division I

NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship

membership on Sept. 1, 1988. Liberty defeated Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New...

(80-65) on Nov. 26, 1988 for its first Division I victory. On Nov. 30, 1990, Liberty opened the Vines Convocation Center

Vines Center

The Vines Center is an 8,085-seat multi-purpose arena in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was built in 1990 and is home to the Liberty University Flames and Lady Flames basketball teams. It hosted the Big South Conference men's basketball tournament from 1995–98, and also all rounds of the tourney except...

against VMI

Virginia Military Institute

The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...

. VMI defeated the Flames, 69-61. On July 1, 1991, Liberty became an official member of the Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

.

Liberty completed the 1991-92 season with a 16 1/2 game turnaround which tied the NCAA record for the best turnaround, by a Division I school. The Flames finished with a 22-7 mark and concluded the regular season with a second-place finish in the Big South Conference. Liberty finished second in the country in field goal percentage (.520) and 11th in three-point field goal percentage (.421). Julius Nwosu was named first team all-conference and Keith Ferguson was a second team selection. Head coach Jeff Meyer earned Virginia Sports Information Directors Coach of the Year honors.

In 1993, the Flames posted their first win ever over in-state opponent Virginia Tech in Blacksburg

Blacksburg

Blacksburg may refer to:*Blacksburg, South Carolina*Blacksburg, Virginia...

, Va. Then in 1994, Liberty claimed its first-ever Big South Conference Tournament title against Campbell, 76-62. The championship game was featured on ESPN

ESPN

Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....

with over 800 students making the trek to Charleston, S.C. Liberty qualified for the NCAA Tournament and faced defending national champion North Carolina. Liberty also claimed the lead with under 10 minutes left, 47-46. The Tar Heels ended with the win, 71-51, but the Flames proved to be a strong competitor in the biggest game in the history of the program.

Julius Nwosu

Julius Nwosu

Obinna Julius Nwosu, otherwise referred to as just Julius Nwosu , is a Nigerian professional basketball player. He played briefly for the American National Basketball Association's San Antonio Spurs during the 1994–95 NBA season...

was signed by the San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....

in 1995, making him the first Flame basketball player to play on a NBA team. Matt Hildebrand became the second Liberty player to ever have his jersey retired.

On March 1, 1997, Liberty played in the championship game of the Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

Tournament for the second straight year and third time in the past four years. The Flames dropped a 64-54 decision to Charleston Southern. Peter Aluma

Peter Aluma

Peter Aluma is a retired Nigerian professional basketball player. After high school at Okota Grammar School in Isolo, Nigeria, the 6'10" center became a star at Liberty University in Virginia, USA....

finished his career as the school’s and conference’s leading shot blocker. He also was selected as the Big South Tournament’s MVP for the second time in his career and was named to the NABC all-district second-team.

Jeff Meyer

16 Seasons

Record: 259-206

Randy Dunton (1997–1998)

On Nov. 1, 1997, Jeff Meyer, head coach of the Flames basketball program for 16 years, stepped down to accept the position of assistant to the president of Liberty University. Randy Dunton

Randy Dunton

was named interim head coach. Jan. 7, 1998, Liberty defeated UVA for the first time in the school’s history, 69-64, in Charlottesville, Va. That also marked the first Atlantic Coast Conference

Atlantic Coast Conference

The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...

opponent that the Flames had ever defeated.

Randy Dunton

Randy Dunton

6 Seasons

Record: 77-102

Mel Hankinson (1998–2003)

On April 8, 1998, Mel Hankinson

Mel Hankinson

was named the fifth head coach in the school’s history, coming to Liberty after serving as the top assistant coach at West Virginia for the previous five years. Hankinson’s first recruiting class was ranked between 20th and 43rd by four major recruiting publications, marking the best recruiting class by Liberty and in the Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

.

Carl Williams finished the 1999-2000 season as the nation's leader in steals per game, averaging 3.8 takeaways per contest, becoming the first player in school history to lead the nation individually in a statistical category.

Mel Hankinson

Mel Hankinson

4 Seasons

Record: 36-77

Randy Dunton (2003–2007)

On March 6, 2002, Randy Dunton

Randy Dunton

was named the sixth head coach in the school’s history. He returned to the Liberty campus after serving two years as the head coach at Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown Community College is a public community college located to the south of Marshalltown, Iowa. The school is also known as Iowa Valley Community College, a name which describes the community served rather than the college, which is on a relatively high plateau compared to the surrounding...

and as an assistant coach at Binghamton University

Binghamton University

Binghamton University, also formally called State University of New York at Binghamton, , is a public research university in the State of New York. The University is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York system...

.

On March 6, 2004, Liberty claimed its second-ever Big South Championship with an 89-44 victory over High Point

High Point University

High Point University is a private liberal arts university in High Point, North Carolina, USA, affiliated with the United Methodist Church.- Beginnings :...

in the championship game in front of 8,515 fans in the Vines Center

Vines Center

. The win marked the largest margin of victory in the history of the Big South Championship. Liberty made its second-ever appearance in an NCAA Tournament game as the 16th-seeded Flames squared off against top-seeded St. Joseph's

Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball

at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY. The Flames dropped an 82-63 decision to the eventual Elite Eight

Elite Eight

The term Elite Eight, or less commonly called "Great Eight", refers to the final eight teams in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship or the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship; and, thus, represents the national quarterfinals. In Division I, the Elite Eight consists of the...

team.

Liberty traveled to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Nov. 25, 2005. There were 22,717 fans crammed into the famous Rupp Arena

Rupp Arena

Rupp Arena is an arena located in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. Since its opening in 1976, it has been the centerpiece of Lexington Center, a convention and shopping facility owned by an arm of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, and serves as home court to the University of...

, serving as the largest crowd to ever see a Liberty game, as Kentucky defeated the Flames by a score of 81-51. Following the 2005-2006 season, Larry Blair earned VaSID all-state basketball first team honors, becoming just the second Flames player to earn first-team honors, joining Peter Aluma

Peter Aluma

who was named to the first team in 1996 and 1997. Blair also joined Aluma as the only Flames to have earned VaSID honors twice.

Liberty honored all-time leading scorer Karl Hess by retiring his jersey prior to the Flames’ 64-56 victory over Conference USA

Conference USA

Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...

foe East Carolina on Dec. 2, 2006.

One week later, Larry Blair scored 18 points against Longwood University

Longwood University

Longwood University is a four-year public, liberal-arts university located in Farmville, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1839 and became a university on July 1, 2002...

to pass Peter Aluma

Peter Aluma

(1,715 points), becoming Liberty’s all-time leading Division I scorer. On Jan. 30, 2007, With 15 points against visiting UNC Asheville, Larry Blair became the third player in Liberty and Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

history to reach the 2,000-point plateau. Feb. 21, 2007, Larry Blair scored 28 points in Liberty’s 118-108 victory at VMI

Virginia Military Institute

to pass Tony Dunkin

Tony Dunkin

Tony Dunkin is an American former college basketball standout for Coastal Carolina University. He is best known for being the only NCAA Division I men's basketball player to be honored as his conference player of the year all four times...

of Coastal Carolina, becoming the Big South Conference’s all-time leading scorer. Blair’s second field goal of the evening, at the 11:19 mark in the first half, broke the record when the senior guard dunked home two points on a fast break.

After the 2006-2007 season, Larry Blair was named to the Big South all-conference first team for the third consecutive year, making him the fourth player in school history to earn all-conference honors four times. Blair earned second team honors as a freshman as well as being named Big South Freshman of the Year.

Randy Dunton

Randy Dunton

6 Seasons

Record: 77-102

Ritchie McKay (2007–2009)

On March 26, 2007, Ritchie McKay

Ritchie McKay

was named the seventh head coach in school history. After the 2007-2008 season, Alex McLean was named to the Big South All-Conference first team, marking the sixth-straight year Liberty has placed a player on the first team, tying the second-best streak in conference history. Jeremy Anderson was named to the all-freshman squad, while Kyle Ohman received all-academic honors.

Peter Aluma

Peter Aluma

became the first Liberty men’s basketball player enshrined in the Big South Conference’s Hall of Fame on May 29, 2008.

Ritchie McKay

Ritchie McKay

2 Seasons

Record: 39-28

Dale Layer (2009-present)

After the 2008-2009 season, Liberty University Director of Athletics Jeff Barber announced that Dale Layer

Dale Layer

-External links:* *...

has been named the program’s eighth head men’s basketball coach. Layer returns to Liberty Mountain after previously serving as an assistant coach for the Flames during the 2007-08 season.

Dale Layer

Dale Layer

-External links:* *...

2 Seasons

Record: 34-29

Matt Hildebrand #20

One of the top players to ever wear a Liberty uniform, Matt Hildebrand excelled on and off on the court during
his four-year career. He helped lead the Flames to their first-ever Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

championship and NCAA
Tournament appearance in 1994.

Because of his achievements over his four-year career at Liberty, Hildebrand was brought back on December 3, 1994, to have his jersey retired in front of the home fans in the Vines Center

Vines Center

. Hildebrand, an all-conference performer, started every game during his career at Liberty and holds numerous school and conference records. The 1994 Big South Conference Male Athlete of the Year, he was ranked fourth in the nation in free throw percentage during his sophomore and senior years.

He scored over 1,500 points, 385 rebounds and dished out 583 assists, while shooting 45 percent from the floor. He also hit a school-record 207 three-pointers. Hildebrand still holds the Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

record for free throw percentage (.904). Hildebrand was also the recipient of the 1993-94 Rock Royer/Mack Rivera award which goes to the most accomplished Liberty student athlete of the year.

Julius Nwosu #00

Julius Nwosu

was the first big man to excel at Liberty, since the school became an NCAA Division I member in 1988. He was the first Flame to play in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs

in 1995. Nwosu also helped lead the Flames into their first year as a member of the Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

and to their first 20-win season (23-7, 1992) in nine years and first at the NCAA Division I level.

In front of the home fans at the Vines Center, Nwosu had his jersey retired. He earned all-Big South Conference honors as a junior and senior and ranked among the conference's scoring, rebounding and blocked shot leaders both seasons. Nwosu also finished second in the conference in field goal percentage as a senior (.615). He led the conference in blocked shots (1.8) as a junior and was selected as the conference's player of the week on three occasions during his career.

He led the squad in scoring (18.1), rebounding (8.5), block shots (1.6) and field goal percentage (.615) as a senior. Nwosu also led the team in scoring (13.7) and block shots (1.8) as a junior.

Peter Aluma #00

Peter Aluma

was one of the top centers in Liberty and Big South Conference history. He was an excellent scorer and prolific shot blocker during his career with the Flames, helping them to three conference championship games and one Big South Championship title in 1994.

Aluma had his jersey retired on November 15, 1997 in front of a home crowd. Aluma finished his Big South Conference career as the top shot blocker (366), third in games played (119), second in free throws made (451) and third in scoring (1,715). He also holds the number two, three and four positions on the single-season blocked shot list. Aluma finished 13th in blocked shots and 18th in blocked shot average among career national leaders.

He was selected to the Big South Conference’s all-rookie team as a freshman and then was an all-conference performer for three years. He was selected to the all-tournament team three times, being selected most outstanding player twice. Aluma was a two-time selection to the VaSID all-state team and the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Aluma, a three-year starter during his career at Liberty holds several school records. He set the record for blocked shots in a game, season and career and finished second in free throws made and fifth in school’s history for scoring. He owns the single-season record for blocks (113) and holds the number two through four marks also. He still holds the Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

career blocks record (366).

Aluma finished first on the school’s NCAA Division I scoring list, free throws made list, second in offensive and defensive rebounds, second in minutes played and third in steals. He scored double-digits 87 times, scored 20 or more points 36 times and had 13 double-doubles to his credit.

Karl Hess #11

The most prolific scorer in Liberty basketball history, Karl Hess, did so without the luxury of a three-point line, racking up a program-best 2,373 points. He was the team captain of Liberty’s 1980 NCCAA National Championship team as a senior, earning All-Tournament and MVP honors.

Liberty retired his jersey on Dec. 2, 2006. Hess finds himself atop many school record lists, including first in field goals (951) and second in field goals attempted (1,798). Hess ranks first in free throws (471), free throw percentage (89.9%), assists (648), and is tied for second in games played (120).

Hess, a four-year starter, has a list of personal achievements that include winning Liberty’s Rock Royer-Mac Rivera Award (1980), NCCAA First Team All-American (1980) and CoSIDA Academic First Team All-American (1980) college division.

A 5-11 guard from Shickshinney, Pa., Hess currently is a psychologist and resides in Lynchburg with his wife, April, and their two sons, Nate and Zack. Hess also travels extensively as a major college basketball referee, primarily officiating SEC

Southeastern Conference

The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...

, ACC

Atlantic Coast Conference

and BIG EAST

Big East Conference

The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...

games.

Hess served as the crew chief for the 2007 NCAA Men’s National Championship

2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament

The 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 NCAA schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2006–07 basketball season...

game between Florida

Florida Gators men's basketball

The Florida Gators men's basketball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of basketball. The Gators compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Southeastern Conference...

and Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball

The Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances...

. The honor entailed tossing the jump ball between 2007 NBA first round draft picks, Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah

Joakim Simon Noah is a professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association . Born in New York City to a Swedish mother and French father, he holds American, Swedish and French citizenship...

(Florida

Florida Gators men's basketball

) and Greg Oden

Greg Oden

Gregory Wayne Oden, Jr. is an American basketball player at the center position. Oden is a member of the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA....

(Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball

Larry Blair #22

Larry Blair played 4 seasons with Liberty 2003-2007. During his career, Blair received Big South Conference all-conference honors all 4 season. In 2003, he was the Big South rookie of the year and was on the all-freshman team. Blair was on the all-tournament team in 2004 when he led the Flames to their second ever Big South tournament championship and NCAA tournament appearance.

Blair holds Liberty's NCAA Division I record for most points in a career (2,211), which was the most in Big South Conference

Big South Conference

The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...

, but was passed the next year by VMI's Reggie Williams (2,556). He is one of only three players who have scored more than 2,000 points for the Flames. Blair currently plays in Finland

Finland

Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...

for team Joensuun Kataja.

Seth Curry #30

Seth Curry

Seth Adham Curry is an American basketball player and native of Charlotte, North Carolina, who plays collegiately for Duke University. He is the son of former Virginia Tech, NBA star, Dell Curry, and former volleyball standout, Sonya Curry...

is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the son of former Virginia Tech and NBA star Dell Curry

Dell Curry

Wardell Stephen "Dell" Curry is a retired American professional basketball player at the shooting guard and the small forward positions who received his education from Fort Defiance High School in Virginia and Virginia Tech. He then played in the National Basketball Association from 1986 until 2002...

. His older brother, Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry (basketball)

-Freshman season:Before Stephen Curry played even one college game, head coach, Bob McKillop, said at a Davidson Alumni event, "Wait till you see Steph Curry...

, is a point guard for the Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

.

Curry set many freshman records at Liberty, including freshman scoring (707), fifth in Big South history for one season, crushing Larry Blair's previous record (427). Curry also led all freshmen in the nation in scoring. Curry was named the Big South Conference Freshman of the year. Curry also holds the Big South record for minutes played in one season (1,277), seven more than fellow Flame, Anthony Smith (1,270).

Curry was named 2008-09 Big South Freshman of the Year, Basketball Times All-Freshmen Team, Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major All-American, Collegehoops.net Mid-Major All-American, Collegehoops.net All-Freshmen Team, Collegehoops.net Mid-Major All-Freshmen Team, Collegehoops.net Freshman of the Year, NABC All-District 2nd Team, 2-time Dick Vitale

Dick Vitale

Richard J. "Dick" Vitale , also known as "Dickie V", is an American basketball sportscaster. A former head coach in the college and professional ranks, he is well-known as a college basketball broadcaster and for the enthusiastic and colorful remarks he makes during games. He is known for his...

's "Diaper Dandy of the Week," Richmond Times-Dispatch All-State, VaSID 1st-Team All-State, VaSID Rookie of the Year,

After the 2008-2009 season, Curry decided to transfer to Duke University

Duke Blue Devils men's basketball

The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I...

.

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NCAA Tournament Appearances

The following is a list of Liberty's NCAA Tournament Appearances:

Year	Coach	Opponent	Round	Score	Record
1994	Jeff Meyer	Lost to North Carolina North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...	First Round	71-51	18-12
2004	Randy Dunton Randy Dunton Randy Dunton is a former head men's basketball coach at Liberty University. He had been the assistant under head coach Jeff Meyer, who was subsequently let go in 1997. Dunton was named the interim head coach for 1997–1998, a season that saw the Liberty Flames defeat in-state rival Virginia...	Lost to St. Joseph's Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball The Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team represents Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Its home court is the Hagan Arena. The team's only Final Four appearance in 1961 was removed from the NCAA records due to a gambling scandal. Through...	First Round	82-63	18-15
NCAA Appearances				2

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List of Liberty Flames Seasons

Season	Conference	Head Coach	Total Wins	Total Losses	Conference Wins	Conference Losses	Conference Standing	Conference Tournament	Post Season
1972–73	—	Dan Manley	13	14	0—	0—	—	—	NCCAA District II Tournament
1973–74	—	Dan Manley	11	12	0—	0—	—	—	NCCAA District II Tournament
1974–75	—	Dan Manley	17	11	0—	0—	—	—	NCCAA District II Tournament
1975–76	—	Dan Manley	12	15	0—	0—	—	—	NCCAA District II Tournament
1976–77	—	Dan Manley	5	22	0—	0—	—	—	—
1977–78	—	Harley 'Skeeter' Swift	7	22	0—	0—	—	—	NCCAA District II Tournament
1978–79	—	Dale Gibson Dale Gibson Dale Gibson is a former men's basketball coach at Liberty University . After leaving coaching, he served as a professor at Liberty where he started the school's Sport Management program...	15	16	0—	0—	—	—	NCCAA District II Tournament
1979–80	—	Dale Gibson Dale Gibson Dale Gibson is a former men's basketball coach at Liberty University . After leaving coaching, he served as a professor at Liberty where he started the school's Sport Management program...	28	11	0—	0—	—	—	NCCAA National Champions
1980–81	—	Dale Gibson Dale Gibson Dale Gibson is a former men's basketball coach at Liberty University . After leaving coaching, he served as a professor at Liberty where he started the school's Sport Management program...	5	19	0—	0—	—	—	—
1981–82	—	Jeff Meyer	15	11	0—	0—	—	—	NAIA District 19 Tournament
1982–83	—	Jeff Meyer	23	9	0—	0—	—	—	NAIA National Tournament
1983–84	Mason-Dixon Conference	Jeff Meyer	19	10	0—	0—	—	—	—
1984–85	Mason-Dixon Conference	Jeff Meyer	19	10	0—	0—	—	—	—
1985–86	Mason-Dixon Conference	Jeff Meyer	18	13	0—	0—	—	—	—
1986–87	Mason-Dixon Conference	Jeff Meyer	18	11	0—	0—	—	—	—
1987–88	Mason-Dixon Conference	Jeff Meyer	13	15	0—	0—	—	—	—
1988–89	—	Jeff Meyer	10	17	0—	0—	—	—	—
1989–90	—	Jeff Meyer	11	17	0—	0—	—	—	—
1990–91	—	Jeff Meyer	5	23	0—	0—	—	—	—
1991–92	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Jeff Meyer	22	7	010	04	Second	Semifinals	—
1992–93	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Jeff Meyer	16	14	09	07	Fourth	Quarterfinals	—
1993–94	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Jeff Meyer	18	12	012	06	Fourth	Champions	NCAA Tournament First Round
1994–95	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Jeff Meyer	12	16	07	09	Fifth	Semifinals	—
1995–96	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Jeff Meyer	17	12	011	06	Second	Finals	—
1996–97	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Jeff Meyer	23	9	011	03	Tied-First	Finals	—
1997–98	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Randy Dunton Randy Dunton Randy Dunton is a former head men's basketball coach at Liberty University. He had been the assistant under head coach Jeff Meyer, who was subsequently let go in 1997. Dunton was named the interim head coach for 1997–1998, a season that saw the Liberty Flames defeat in-state rival Virginia...	11	17	05	07	Fourth	Semifinals	—
1998–99	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Mel Hankinson Mel Hankinson Mel Hankinson is a men's basketball coach and author. Hankinson has written a number of books and starred in videos on techniques for coaching basketball.Hankinson spent over three decades coaching at the collegiate level...	4	23	00	010	Sixth	Quarterfinals	—
1999–00	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Mel Hankinson Mel Hankinson Mel Hankinson is a men's basketball coach and author. Hankinson has written a number of books and starred in videos on techniques for coaching basketball.Hankinson spent over three decades coaching at the collegiate level...	14	14	04	010	Seventh	Quarterfinals	—
2000–01	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Mel Hankinson Mel Hankinson Mel Hankinson is a men's basketball coach and author. Hankinson has written a number of books and starred in videos on techniques for coaching basketball.Hankinson spent over three decades coaching at the collegiate level...	13	15	05	09	Sixth	Semifinals	—
2001–02	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Mel Hankinson Mel Hankinson Mel Hankinson is a men's basketball coach and author. Hankinson has written a number of books and starred in videos on techniques for coaching basketball.Hankinson spent over three decades coaching at the collegiate level...	5	25	02	012	Eighth	Quarterfinals	—
2002–03	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Randy Dunton Randy Dunton Randy Dunton is a former head men's basketball coach at Liberty University. He had been the assistant under head coach Jeff Meyer, who was subsequently let go in 1997. Dunton was named the interim head coach for 1997–1998, a season that saw the Liberty Flames defeat in-state rival Virginia...	14	15	08	06	Second	Semifinals	—
2003–04	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Randy Dunton Randy Dunton Randy Dunton is a former head men's basketball coach at Liberty University. He had been the assistant under head coach Jeff Meyer, who was subsequently let go in 1997. Dunton was named the interim head coach for 1997–1998, a season that saw the Liberty Flames defeat in-state rival Virginia...	18	15	012	04	Tied-First	Champions	NCAA Tournament First Round
2004–05	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Randy Dunton Randy Dunton Randy Dunton is a former head men's basketball coach at Liberty University. He had been the assistant under head coach Jeff Meyer, who was subsequently let go in 1997. Dunton was named the interim head coach for 1997–1998, a season that saw the Liberty Flames defeat in-state rival Virginia...	13	15	011	05	Second	Quarterfinals	—
2005–06	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Randy Dunton Randy Dunton Randy Dunton is a former head men's basketball coach at Liberty University. He had been the assistant under head coach Jeff Meyer, who was subsequently let go in 1997. Dunton was named the interim head coach for 1997–1998, a season that saw the Liberty Flames defeat in-state rival Virginia...	7	23	03	013	Seventh	Quarterfinals	—
2006–07	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Randy Dunton Randy Dunton Randy Dunton is a former head men's basketball coach at Liberty University. He had been the assistant under head coach Jeff Meyer, who was subsequently let go in 1997. Dunton was named the interim head coach for 1997–1998, a season that saw the Liberty Flames defeat in-state rival Virginia...	14	17	08	06	Third	Quarterfinals	—
2007–08	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Ritchie McKay Ritchie McKay Ritchie Lawrence McKay is an assistant coach for the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team. Previously, the Indianapolis, Indiana native was the head coach of Liberty University, the University of New Mexico, Oregon State, Colorado State, and Portland State.-Biography:McKay got his first head...	16	16	07	07	Fourth	Semifinals	—
2008–09	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Ritchie McKay Ritchie McKay Ritchie Lawrence McKay is an assistant coach for the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team. Previously, the Indianapolis, Indiana native was the head coach of Liberty University, the University of New Mexico, Oregon State, Colorado State, and Portland State.-Biography:McKay got his first head...	23	12	012	06	Third	Semifinals	CIT Quarterfinals
2009–10	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Dale Layer Dale Layer -External links:* *...	15	16	010	08	Sixth	Quarterfinals	—
2010–11	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Dale Layer Dale Layer -External links:* *...	19	13	013	05	Second	Quarterfinals	—
2011–12	Big South Big South Conference The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...	Dale Layer Dale Layer -External links:* *...	2	1	0	0			—
Totals: 40 Seasons	2 Conferences	8 Head Coaches	Total Wins 569	Total Losses 585	Conf. Wins 160	Conf. Losses 145	Regular Seasons Champions 2 times	Conf. Tournament Champions 2 times

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