The Liberty Flames (17-4, 5-3 CUSA) are back in action on Saturday night at Jacksonville State (14-7, 6-2) to continue conference play.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
Liberty at Jax State How to Watch
5 p.m. ET | Saturday, Feb 1
Jacksonville, Alabama | Mathews Coliseum
TV: CBS Sports Network
Liberty at Jax State Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -3
Projected score: Liberty 69, Jax State 66
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
8.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 47.0% from 3
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Senior Guard | 5’11”, 170
13.6 ppg, 41.2% from 3
#32 Jayvon Maughmer
Senior Guard | 6’6″, 205
9.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Junior Forward | 6’7″, 220
11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.9 apg
#8 Owen Aquino
Junior Forward | 6’8″, 230
9.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Liberty at Jax State History
The Gamecocks lead the all-time series, 3-2.
Liberty at Jax State Storylines
BATTLE FOR FIRST
It comes as a surprise to many as the Gamecocks were picked to finish 8th in the preseason CUSA poll, but Jax State currently sits alone in first place atop the conference standings.
It’s been an impressive few weeks for head coach Ray Harper’s crew. After opening conference play at 1-2 with all three games coming on the road, the Gamecocks have reeled off five straight wins which includes an impressive road sweep at UTEP and New Mexico State. JSU is coming off a 71-67 win over FIU Thursday night, and, coupled with Middle Tennessee and UTEP’s losses Thursday, they now sit alone in first place at 6-2.
In their first year in CUSA after making the move from the ASUN, Jacksonville State had a disappointing 14-18 season last year, finishing 6-10 and in 8th place in Conference USA. The Gamecocks were eliminated by FIU in the 8/9 play-in game that opened conference tournament action in Huntsville a year ago.
Last year is a distant memory now as Harper and the Gamecocks have their eyes set on a regular season conference title in just their second season in the conference.
JARON PIERRE THE TOP SCORER IN CUSA
The Flames will be tested on Saturday against the best scorer in Conference USA. Jaron Pierre, Jr. is currently averaging 20.8 points per game as he leads the league in scoring and ranks in the top 10 nationally.
Pierre is a 6’5″ guard who is in his first season at Jax State. He began his college career at Southern Miss, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Wichita State. He played for the Shockers in 2022-23, averaging 10.6 points per game. Pierre didn’t play last season as he entered the transfer portal and redshirted to preserve his year of eligibility.
Pierre exploded onto the scene for the Gamecocks, scoring 20 or more points in his first four games this season including 31 in a win at Coastal Carolina. He has 14 20-point games this season and has eclipsed the 30-point mark twice.
Pierre gets help from others including Jamar Franklin. A 6’3″ guard, Franklin is second on the team in scoring at 10.4 points per game. A Georgia Southern transfer, Franklin has missed the past seven games, having not played since the conference opener against Kennesaw State.
Wake Forest transfer Jao Ituka is a 6’1″ guard who is averaging 9.5 points per game and shooting 41% from three. Michael Houge is a 6’7″ forward who transferred in this year from Saint Peter’s. House is averaging 9.4 points and 8 rebounds per game.
ANOTHER TEST ON THE ROAD
There are no easy nights in Conference USA, particularly on the road. Liberty has learned that since joining the league, posting a 1-7 road record last season. The Flames have found some success on the road in the first half of conference play this season, winning three of four on the road including two straight with wins over FIU and Kennesaw State. Now, Liberty will conclude its three game road swing on Saturday evening at Jacksonville State.
Like the Flames learned on Thursday at Kennesaw, the Gamecocks are also very good on their home floor. They are 8-0 at Mathews Coliseum this season and 3-0 in conference play. Jax State will be playing their second in a stretch of four straight at home on Saturday as they will be looking to continue to protect their home court.
“I know Pierre is a really good player and Ray Harper is a really good coach,” McKay said of the Gamecocks. “We will have our work cut out for us. This is a really tough league to win on the road, but I like our group.”