FlamesNation Insider
We are very pleased to announce our newest feature, FlamesNation Insider! This is a video show which will run frequently, at times weekly, and will be hosted by Darrian Graves. Be sure to subscribe to FlamesNation Insider on YouTube. Here is the first episode:

Flames have lost 3 straight
It seems all the positive momentum the men’s basketball team created, is gone. After winning 7 straight games, it looked like Liberty was going to turn this season in to something special, but 3 straight losses have changed the feelings around the team. The first loss, a buzzer beater against Radford, was understandable. Losing to Presbyterian at home, a team that was riding an 8 game losing streak, was cause for concern. Now, losing at Asheville without even making it competitive, has to leave most of Flames Nation wondering if the team can rebound in its final regular season game against Gardner-Webb before next week’s Big South Tournament. A win over the Runnin’ Bulldogs, paired with a Radford loss to Longwood, will clinch the 5th seed and first-round bye for Liberty in next week’s tournament.

reidBasketball commits update

  • Brock Gardner saw his high school career come to an end Tuesday night when Tri-City lost by 1 point in the state championship game. Gardner’s high school career ends with an overall record of 80-8, 4 conference titles, 4 state title game appearances, and 2 state championships.
  • Point guard Xzavier Barmore became his school’s all-time leading scorer in a playoff win Tuesday night. He led his team with 26 points as they are on the way to the state final four which will be played tonight.
  • Josiah Talbert and Olathe East are finalizing the regular season. Talbert is averaging 15.4 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 51% from the field and 33% from 3. He’s also knocking down 85% of his free throws.
  • Brody Hicks and Cave Spring compete tonight in the regional semifinals.

 Women’s basketball update
The Lady Flames rebounded from 2 consecutive losses to beat High Point on Tuesday night to move to 13-4 in conference play. With 3 regular season games remaining, Liberty is 1 game behind UNC-Asheville for 1st place in the Big South.

Baseball opens 2-2
Jim Toman and the Flame Train opened the season with a 2-2 mark. The season began with a 3 game series in Tampa against South Florida with the Flames picking up a win in the 2nd game, 4-0. Liberty made their home opener on Tuesday afternoon against William & Mary, and picked up a come from behind, 8-4, victory. Freshman D.J. Artis has been playing tremendously in his first 4 collegiate games. Artis is leading the team in batting with .438 average. He also has 2 triples, 1 homerun, 5 RBIs and 5 runs scored.

woodrumNFL Combine is this weekend
The NFL Combine is underway in Indianapolis. As we’ve mentioned on numerous occasions, both John Lunsford and Josh Woodrum will be representing Liberty at the Combine this year. You can catch all the action on the NFL Network. Lunsford and the special teamers will have their workouts on Friday while the quarterbacks will workout on Saturday.

Big South Indoor Track & Field Championships
The Big South men’s & women’s indoor track & field championships are this weekend in Blacksburg. The men’s squad is seeking its 19th straight team title, while the Lady Flames look for their 11th title overall.

FlameFans thread of the week
This week’s FlameFans thread of the week is 2016 Election.