Liberty (16-10, 5-6 CUSA) hopes to get back in the win column when it plays at FIU (8-18, 3-8) on Thursday night in a Conference USA game.

Here’s what you need to know about the game:

How to Watch

7:00 p.m. ET | Thursday, February 22
Miami, FL | Ocean Bank Convocation Center
TV: ESPN+

Liberty vs FIU Odds (KenPom)

Spread: Liberty -7
Projected score: Liberty 76, FIU 69

Liberty Projected Starters

#0 Colin Porter

Sophomore Guard | 5’9″, 170
8.0 ppg, 4.0 apg

#3 Kaden Metheny

R-Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
13.2 ppg, 2.7 apg, 3.5 rpg

#23 Joseph Venzant

Junior Guard | 6’3″, 200
5.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg

#22 Kyle Rode

R-Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
13.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg

#25 Zach Cleveland

Sophomore Forward | 6’7″, 215
12.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.0 apg

Liberty vs FIU History

The Flames are 2-2 all-time against FIU. Liberty defeated the Panthers on Jan. 18 at Liberty Arena, 78-69. Kyle Rode and Kaden Metheny combined for 37 points on 11 of 20 shooting from three in the win. Prior to this season, the last game came during the 1996-97 season with Liberty winning, 67-51. The previous year, Liberty lost to FIU, 92-89. The first meeting in the series came during the 1981-82 season.

Liberty vs FIU Storylines

PANTHERS ON COLD STREAK

FIU started Conference USA play with a 2-1 record. Since that time though, they have dropped 7 of 8 including three straight. This includes three home contests FIU has lost in conference play. Last week, the Panthers lost to CUSA co-leaders Sam Houston and Louisiana Tech on the road. They are currently in last place in the nine-team CUSA, one game behind Jacksonville State and UTEP.

FLAMES WANT TO GET BACK ON TRACK

Liberty had won three straight and five of seven before its setback at Sam Houston on Saturday. The Flames fell behind in that 18-2 in the early minutes and a furious comeback in the late minutes was not enough. Liberty is now in fourth place in the conference standings and have lost some ground on the top three teams – La Tech, Sam Houston, and Western Kentucky.

PEEBLES ON FIRE

Liberty guard Brody Peebles has been playing some of his basketball in a Liberty uniform recently. He’s reached double figures in six straight games. When Joseph Venzant was out of the lineup nursing a shoulder injury, Peebles was inserted into the starting lineup where he played a season high 33 and 38 minutes in the two games. He’s averaging 15.1 points per game during this run of double figure games.