History
The Liberty Men's Basketball program began in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley. Liberty University is the second youngest school in NCAA Division I, founded in 1971 (Florida Gulf Coast University founded in 1991). The Flames finished 13–14 in the inaugural season. As of the 2009–2010 season, the Flames have had 8 different head coaches of their Men's Basketball team (Dan Manley 1972–77, Harley Swift 1977–78, Dale Gibson 1978–81, Jeff Meyer 1981–97, Randy Dunton 1997–98 and 2003–2007, Mel Hankinson 1998–2003, Ritchie McKay 2007–09, Dale Layer 2009–present). As of the end of the 2008–2009 season, the Flames had an overall record of 524–555 (48.6%).
Liberty has reached post-season 3 times in its NCAA Division I history. The Flames fell to UNC (71–51) in the first round of the 1994 NCAA Tournament after winning the Big South tournament. Liberty lost to St. Joseph's (82–63) in the 2004 NCAA tournament after crushing High Point (89–44) to claim its second Big South Conference Tournament Championship. Upon falling in the semi-finals of the Big South Conference tournament in the 2008–09 season, the Flames were invited to the inaugural CIT Tournament. Liberty defeated Rider in the first round before falling to the JMU in the quarterfinals. Liberty won the 1980 NCCAA National Championship against Point Loma College (68–65).
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