Amanda Knapp
The Liberty Flames men's basketball team represents Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. The team was founded in 1972 and has since appeared in the NCAA tournament six times, most recently in 2025. The Flames have a rich history, including notable players such as Ezra Hill, the first Liberty player to be drafted into the NBA, and Jesse Sanders, the first player in Division I history to record a triple-double in each of his four collegiate seasons. Liberty University is currently a member of Conference USA, having moved there in July 2023.
Ranking-wise, the Flames have had varying levels of success throughout their history. Their recruiting class in 1998 was ranked between 20th and 43rd by major publications, marking the best in the university's history. More recently, in 2025, the team was seeded 12th in the NCAA Tournament but fell to Oregon in the first round.
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What You'll Learn
Liberty Flames' players and coaches
The Liberty Flames men's basketball team represents Liberty University, playing their home games at Liberty Arena. The team began in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley, and has since had several notable coaches and players.
Jeff Meyer was the head coach of the Flames basketball program for 16 years until he stepped down in 1997. During his tenure, the Flames achieved notable victories, including their first win against UVA in 1998. Meyer was succeeded by Mel Hankinson, who served as the fifth head coach in the school's history. Hankinson's recruiting class was highly ranked, marking the best recruiting class by Liberty and in the Big South Conference.
Notable players for the Liberty Flames include Ezra Hill, who became the first Liberty Baptist player drafted in the NBA by the Phoenix Suns in 1984. Cliff Webber was also a standout player, named a Division II All-American by Basketball Times and drafted by the Boston Celtics. Jesse Sanders is another notable player, becoming the first player in Division I history to record a triple-double in each of his four collegiate seasons. Sanders received numerous accolades, including being named the Big South Conference Player of the Year and earning Honorable Mentions from the Associated Press and Collegehoops.net.
The Liberty Flames have had a rich history in basketball, with six appearances in the NCAA tournament and a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championship win in 1980. The team has continued to develop and achieve success, with a strong focus on building a competitive athletic program.
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The team's history in the NCAA tournament
The Liberty Flames men's basketball team has represented Liberty University in the NCAA Tournament six times, most recently in 2025.
The team first qualified for the tournament in 1994, facing the defending national champion North Carolina. Despite leading 47-46 with under 10 minutes left, the Flames ultimately lost 71-51. However, their strong performance proved their competitiveness on the big stage.
Liberty Flames returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2004, making their second appearance as the 16th-seeded team. They faced top-seeded St. Joseph's, losing 82-63 to the eventual Elite Eight team.
In 2013, the Flames qualified for the NCAA Tournament again, this time under the leadership of head coach Dale Layer. Despite a respectable 15-20 record, they were unable to advance further.
Liberty Flames achieved their first NCAA Tournament win in 2019, defeating Mississippi State 80-76. This marked a significant milestone for the team.
The team made back-to-back appearances in the tournament in 2021 and 2025, showcasing their consistent performance and determination to return to the national stage.
Throughout their history, the Liberty Flames men's basketball team has demonstrated resilience and a fighting spirit in the NCAA Tournament. With a mix of close games and challenging losses, they have continued to represent Liberty University with pride on college basketball's biggest stage.
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The team's home games and conferences
The Liberty Flames men's basketball team represents Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. The team plays its home games at Liberty Arena, having moved there in July 2023 after five seasons in the ASUN.
The Liberty men's basketball program began in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley. In their inaugural season, the Flames finished 13-14. In 1979, the Flames opened Liberty Gym against Mount Vernon Nazarene University, winning 95-81. The following year, in 1980, Liberty joined the NCAA Division II level as an associate member and won the NCCAA National Championship.
Over the years, the Flames have competed in various conferences and tournaments. They became eligible for NCAA Division II postseason competition in 1984 and were accepted for NCAA Division I membership in 1988, defeating Brooklyn College for their first Division I victory. Liberty has also been a member of the Big South Conference since 1991 and has competed in the NCAA Tournament six times, most recently in 2025.
The team has had several notable achievements and players throughout its history. Ezra Hill, the first Liberty player drafted into the NBA, was selected by the Phoenix Suns in 1984. Cliff Webber, a Division II All-American, was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the fourth round. More recently, Jesse Sanders became the first player in Division I history to record a triple-double in each of his four collegiate seasons.
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The team's wins and losses
The Liberty Flames men's basketball team has had its fair share of wins and losses over the years. The team's first season in 1972, under head coach Dan Manley, ended with a 13-14 record. However, things started to look up for the Flames in 1979 when they opened Liberty Gym with a 95-81 win over Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Unfortunately, they suffered a heavy defeat in their first NCAA Division I opponent game, losing 106-58 to VMI.
The 1980s marked a successful decade for the team. In 1980, the Flames won the NCCAA National Championship with a 28-11 record, and players Karl Hess and Ed Vickers were named NCCAA All-Americans. The following year, in 1981, Liberty Baptist became a full member of the NCAA Division II level and gained eligibility for NAIA postseason competition. The team finished fifth in the NAIA National Championships in 1983 with a 23-9 record, and Steve Isaacs was named NAIA All-American for two consecutive years. Liberty Baptist College officially became Liberty University in 1985, and the success continued with Cliff Webber being named a Division II All-American by Basketball Times and drafted by the Boston Celtics.
The team's performance in the 2000s is not as well-documented, but we do know that Jesse Sanders, a player during this era, achieved impressive individual accolades. Sanders became the first player in Division I history to record a triple-double in each of his four collegiate seasons. His senior season saw him average 8 assists per game, placing him among the top players in the country.
More recently, in 2025, the Liberty Flames men's basketball team made their sixth appearance in the NCAA tournament. However, they suffered a loss to the fifth-seeded Oregon team, who routed them 81-52 to advance to the second round. Despite this setback, the Flames have had notable victories, including their first-ever win against UVA in 1998 and their historic defeat of an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent for the first time.
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The team's ranking in 2025
As of 2025, the Liberty Flames men's basketball team represents Liberty University in men's basketball. They play their home games at Liberty Arena and are members of the Conference USA, having moved there in July 2023 after five seasons in the ASUN. The Flames have appeared in the NCAA tournament six times, most recently in 2025.
The team's performance in the 2024-25 season is not yet known, but some predictions can be made based on their previous performances and the performance of their competitors.
In the 2022-23 season, the Flames finished with a 24-10 record, which was their best season in the ASUN conference. They also won the ASUN tournament, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. However, they lost in the first round to the University of Michigan.
Assuming the team maintains its strong performance and continues to improve, they can aim for a top-16 seed in the 2025 NCAA tournament. Their performance in the ASUN conference has been consistently strong, and they have the potential to perform well in the Conference USA as well.
Some key players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season include senior guard Keegan McDowell, who averaged 14.3 points and 4.2 assists per game in the 2023-24 season, and junior forward Brody Peebles, who averaged 12.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
The team's performance in the 2024-25 season will depend on various factors, including the development of their key players, the strength of their opponents in the Conference USA, and their ability to perform well in high-pressure situations. However, based on their recent successes and the talent on their roster, the Liberty Flames can aim for a strong finish in their conference and a deep run in the 2025 NCAA tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
The Liberty Flames men's basketball team, which represents Liberty University, has achieved notable success in recent years. In the 2024-25 season, they were ranked fifth in the NAIA National Championships and qualified for the NCAA Tournament, where they were seeded 12th.
The Liberty Flames have a rich history in basketball, dating back to their inaugural season in 1972. They won the 1980 NCCAA National Championship and have appeared in the NCAA Tournament six times, most recently in 2025. The team has produced notable players such as Ezra Hill, who was drafted to the NBA by the Phoenix Suns, and Cliff Webber, a Division II All-American drafted by the Boston Celtics.
The Liberty Flames play their home games at Liberty Arena. They are members of Conference USA, having moved there in July 2023 after spending five seasons in the ASUN.
