Bracketology 2024: 5 mid-major teams off to a fast start in 2023-24 season
Liberty Flames 5-0
Darius McGhee may be gone but the Liberty Flames’ train just keeps rolling. After taking home the title in the Myrtle Beach Invitational they now sit at 5-0 with three solid wins in the tournament. Not only are the Flames 5-0, but all five wins have come by double digits. The Flames ran roughshod through Furman, Wichita State, and Vermont by nearly 14 points per game while holding their opponents to 66.6.
With McGhee gone, Kyle Rode is the leader offensively averaging 18 points and over four rebounds per game. The senior is lighting it up from deep shooting 51%, but for me, the guy who has really shown out through five games is junior guard Kaden Metheny, who has shot 40% from three-point land 8-19 in Myrtle Beach. For head coach Ritchie McKay the Bowling Green transfer has come as advertised, shooting it better than he did last season, at least early on. Speaking of efficiency, the Flames are a top-30 offensive team and in the top 75 in defensive efficiency. Some of the names may have changed but McKay’s philosophy is still going strong. Score at a high level and suffocate your opponents on defense and you’re sure to win a lot of games.
Next. 10 teams with most to prove during Feast Week. dark
The Flames have a non-conference slate that could have them in an at-large conversation, with games against FAU, Charleston, Grand Canyon, and Alabama. The start they’ve had early on certainly hasn’t hurt them from that standpoint.