LIBERTY GRATEFUL TO BE IN INDY

There’s been a lot of discussion this week about the teams in Indianapolis and life in the bubble amid the ongoing COVID pandemic. Some reports have surfaced stating how some players and teams have not enjoyed themselves amid the different situation. Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay says the Flames are grateful to be in the NCAA Tournament in spite of the bubble life.

“We got here Saturday, had to quarantine, I think it was 20-some odd hours and get the testing,” said McKay. “I thought the staff that Mr. Gavitt has and all of those other individuals who have labored so hard to make this a safe environment for the players and for the travel party, I think it’s been incredible. The food that was left at the door, was good to me. I’m a little finicky eater, but I haven’t heard one complaint from our guys. That is congruent with who they are.”

The Flames even got the chance to get outside and enjoy some fresh air on Tuesday and played badminton and soccer for a brief period of time.

“I think there are some sacrifices that you have to make in order for this opportunity to present itself to actually play the game we love and spend so much time with,” McKay continued. “Some of those sacrifices are the conveniences that we have outside of the playing season that the COVID protocols are in place. That being said, I think operating in the lane of gratitude is the way to go. You can focus on what you don’t have all you want, or all the inconveniences, but your day goes so much better and life is so much brighter when you have an appreciation for what you do have. I think, Liberty, at least, I’ll speak for our program, we are really happy to be here.””

PLAYING FOR THE NAME ON THE FRONT OF THE JERSEY NOT THE ONE ON THE BACK

There have been countless stories over the years of teams and players making a name for themselves on the big stage the NCAA Tournament presents. Many times, those stories come from mid or low-major programs who don’t have as much time in the national spotlight during the regular season. That’s not something that motivates ASUN Player of the Year Darius McGhee.

“The name on the front of the jersey is way more important than the name on the back,” McGhee said on Wednesday during a press conference when asked about having the opportunity to make a splash on a national stage. “I think us winning would hold way more value than individual success. To me, scoring or being a household name has never been something that I was high on, especially as I’ve gotten older. I value more my teammates’ success. To make sure I do everything I can for Elijah Cuffee to go out the best way, that’s my ideal focus. I just want to make sure my brother is super happy and he goes out the right way.”

McKAY, McGHEE RECEIVE HONORS

Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay was named the NABC District Three Coach of the Year and Darius McGhee was named to the NABC’s District Three First Team earlier this week.

McKay is the first Liberty coach to earn the NABC honor in back-to-back seasons and the first to be named a District Coach of the Year in its Division I era. McGhee is the fourth Liberty player to be named to an NABC All-District First Team joining Anthony Smith (2009), Jesse Sanders (2011), and Caleb Homesley (2020).

These honors add to the achievements the two have received this season as McKay was named the ASUN Coach of the Year and McGhee the ASUN Player of the Year earlier this season. This is the third straight season that Liberty has been represented on the all-district teams as Caleb Homesley was named to the All-District team in 2020 and Scottie James earned Second-Team honors in 2019.