Helena Frye
Liberty Flames basketball has had a rich history in the NCAA, with the men's and women's teams achieving notable successes over the years. In 2025, both teams punched their tickets to the NCAA Tournament, marking the third time in program history that they have achieved this feat in the same season. The men's team, led by Head Coach Ritchie McKay, entered as the No. 12 seed, facing off against the No. 5 seed Oregon Ducks. Meanwhile, the Lady Flames, coached by Carey Green, secured their first conference title since 2018 and entered the tournament as the No. 13 seed, taking on the No. 4 seed University of Kentucky Wildcats. With a strong showing from both teams, the Liberty Flames and Lady Flames ignited the excitement of their fans during March Madness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Men's Team Seed Number | 12 |
| Men's Team Opponent | Oregon (5 seed) |
| Men's Team Opponent Score | 81-52 |
| Men's Team Coach | Ritchie McKay |
| Men's Team Player | Kaden Metheny |
| Women's Team Seed Number | 13 |
| Women's Team Opponent | Kentucky (4 seed) |
| Women's Team Score | 53-48 |
| Women's Team Coach | Carey Green |
| Women's Team Player | Bella Smuda |
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What You'll Learn
The Lady Flames win the Conference USA Championship
Liberty University's Lady Flames basketball team has won the Conference USA (CUSA) Championship, earning their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. This marks the team's first conference title since 2018 and their first CUSA title. Led by 26th-year Head Coach Carey Green, the Lady Flames defeated Middle Tennessee State by a score of 53-48 in a close game. Center Bella Smuda, the CUSA Tournament MVP, played a pivotal role in the victory, contributing 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game.
The Lady Flames' win is especially significant as it coincides with the men's basketball team's success, marking the third time in program history that both the men's and women's teams have earned conference tournament titles in the same season. The Liberty Flames men's basketball team also won the CUSA Championship, with senior guard Kaden Metheny being named the CUSA Championship MVP.
As the No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Lady Flames will face the No. 4 seed University of Kentucky at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The team is determined to achieve their first win at the NCAA Tournament since their run to the Sweet 16 in 2005. The Liberty Flames basketball program has a rich history, with the men's team reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and achieving their first March Madness victory in 2019.
The Lady Flames' success extends beyond the basketball court. In 2024, the Liberty women's soccer team was the No. 2 seed in the Conference USA Championship. Additionally, the Liberty women's tennis team has excelled, with six Lady Flames included in the 2025 Conference USA Postseason Honors. Yu-Yun Chen was named the CUSA Freshman of the Year, and multiple athletes received All-Conference team selections.
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The men's team's 2025 CUSA Championship MVP, Kaden Metheny
Kaden Metheny, the 2025 CUSA Championship MVP, is a fifth-year senior guard from Morgantown, West Virginia, who plays for the Liberty University men's basketball team. Metheny's stellar performance in the conference tournament earned him MVP honors.
Metheny's basketball prowess was evident in his impressive performance against UTEP in the CUSA Championship quarterfinals, where he scored 20 points, showcasing his scoring abilities. He also demonstrated his versatility by recording 13 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and a steal against Vermont in the Myrtle Beach Invitational title game. Metheny's first 20-point game in a Flames uniform came against Maryland Eastern Shore, where he shot efficiently, tallying 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 5-of-7 from long distance.
Metheny's basketball journey includes playing for Bowling Green for three seasons, appearing in 64 games with 63 starts. During the 2022-23 season, he averaged 10.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. The following season, he averaged 10.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Metheny's outstanding performance led to him being named MAC Player of the Week on February 23, 2021, and earning Academic All-MAC honors during the 2022-23 season.
Metheny's success continued at Liberty University, where he played a pivotal role in the team's achievements. In 2025, the Liberty Flames men's and women's basketball teams swept the CUSA Championships, marking the third time in program history that both teams earned conference tournament titles concurrently. The men's team entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed, their highest seeding in school history, and faced the No. 5 seed Oregon Ducks.
Metheny's contributions to the Liberty Flames men's basketball team were instrumental in their success, and his recognition as the 2025 CUSA Championship MVP is a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport.
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The Lady Flames' first CUSA title since 2018
The Lady Flames are celebrating their first Conference USA (CUSA) title since 2018. The team, led by 26th-year Head Coach Carey Green, punched their ticket to the 2025 NCAA Tournament with a close 53-48 victory over Middle Tennessee State. This win marks their first CUSA title and their first conference title since 2018.
The Lady Flames' victory was in part due to the play of CUSA Tournament MVP, center Bella Smuda, who recorded 9 points-per-game, 8 rebounds-per-game, and 2.7 blocks-per-game in the conference tournament. Smuda, a redshirt senior, also achieved a double-double in the championship game, scoring 10 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.
The team's success has sparked excitement among Liberty fans, with alumnus Jeremiah Flinchum (’17, ’20) expressing his enthusiasm for seeing Coach Green, his staff, and the women's team persevere and make it back to the tournament for the first time in several years.
As the No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Lady Flames will face the No. 4 seed University of Kentucky in the first round, with the game taking place at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The anticipation and support from Flames Nation is high, as the team aims to achieve their first win at the NCAA Tournament since their run to the Sweet 16 in 2005.
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The Flames' 2004 Big South Championship win
On March 6, 2004, the Liberty Flames basketball team claimed their second-ever Big South Championship with a resounding 89–44 victory over High Point in the championship game. This win marked the largest margin of victory in the history of the Big South Championship, thrilling 8,515 fans in the Vines Center.
Liberty's men's basketball team then made its second-ever appearance in an NCAA Tournament game as the 16th seed, facing off against top-seeded St. Joseph's at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. Unfortunately, the Flames dropped an 82–63 decision to the eventual Elite Eight team. Despite this loss, the 2003-2004 season marked a significant milestone for the Liberty Flames, with their dominant performance in the Big South Championship cementing their place in the team's history.
The 2004 Big South Championship win was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff. Head Coach Danny Rocco led the Flames to an impressive 8-3 record in his second year at the helm, showcasing the impact of his leadership and strategic acumen. The team's success extended beyond this single victory, as they built an impressive streak, finishing with an overall record of 10-2 and an unbeaten 5-0 conference slate.
The 2004 championship win was a pivotal moment for the Liberty Flames, serving as a springboard for future achievements. The team's performance in the Big South Conference continued to be impressive, with back-to-back conference championship seasons in subsequent years. The Flames' victory in 2004 also contributed to the program's growing reputation and set a precedent for competitive excellence. It established a foundation for future successes, including appearances in the NCAA Tournament and other notable accomplishments across various sports, such as the Liberty University men's soccer team capturing the Big South Conference soccer title and the Liberty Women's Volleyball team winning the Big South Volleyball tournament championship in the same week.
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The Flames' first March Madness victory in 2019
In 2019, the 12th-seeded Liberty Flames men's basketball team earned their first-ever March Madness victory. They defeated the fifth-seeded Mississippi State Bulldogs 80-76 in the first round of the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament. This victory was particularly significant as Liberty had lost in the first round of the tournament in their previous three attempts. The game was closely fought, with nine lead changes and six ties. The Bulldogs led by as many as 10 points during the second half, but foul trouble for their top shooters, Lamar Peters and Quinndary Weatherspoon, allowed Liberty to slowly gain the upper hand. Liberty's accuracy from the free-throw line also contributed to their win, as they shot 80% compared to the Bulldogs' 78%.
This victory was the second 12-seed vs. 5-seed upset of the tournament, following Oregon's defeat of Wisconsin earlier that day. Senior Lovell Cabbil was Liberty's most accurate shooter of the night. Liberty's head coach, Ritchie McKay, has now led the team to four conference titles during his tenure. This victory in 2019 was a significant milestone for the Liberty Flames, and they have continued to build on this success in subsequent seasons.
In 2025, the Flames men's team entered the NCAA Tournament as a 12th seed, the same ranking they had in their historic 2019 victory. They faced the 5th-seeded University of Oregon, a rematch of their 2019 victory against Oregon. The Lady Flames, the women's basketball team of Liberty University, also qualified for March Madness in 2025. They secured their ticket to the tournament by winning the Conference USA (CUSA) Championship, their first conference title since 2018. The Lady Flames were led by 26th-year Head Coach Carey Green and standout player Bella Smuda, who was named the CUSA Tournament MVP.
The Liberty Flames men's and women's basketball teams have experienced success in recent years, with both teams earning conference tournament titles in 2025. The men's team faced Oregon in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, aiming to replicate their historic victory against Mississippi State in 2019. The Lady Flames took on the University of Kentucky in their first game of the 2025 tournament, demonstrating the continued growth and competitiveness of Liberty University's basketball program.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Flames have qualified for March Madness multiple times. In 2019, the No. 12 seed Flames achieved their first-ever March Madness victory by defeating No. 5 seed Mississippi State 80-76.
The No. 12 seed Liberty Flames lost to the No. 5 seed Oregon Ducks 81-52 in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.
Yes, the Liberty Lady Flames have also qualified for March Madness. In 2025, the No. 13 seed Lady Flames competed in the NCAA Tournament, facing the No. 4 seed University of Kentucky.
The Flames first participated in the NCAA Tournament in 1994, losing to UNC in the first round.
The Flames achieved their best result in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, reaching the second round after defeating Mississippi State in the first round.
