The Liberty Flames (23-6, 11-5 CUSA) are back in action on Thursday against Middle Tennessee (20-9, 11-5) to continue conference play.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
Liberty at Middle Tennessee How to Watch
7:30 p.m. ET | Thursday, Mar 6
Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Murphy Center
TV: CBS Sports Network
Liberty at Middle Tennessee Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -1
Projected score: Liberty 70, Middle Tennessee 69
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
9.2 ppg, 4.1 apg, 45.1% from 3
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Senior Guard | 5’11”, 170
13.2 ppg, 38.1% from 3
#32 Jayvon Maughmer
Senior Guard | 6’6″, 205
8.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Junior Forward | 6’7″, 220
10.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.0 apg
#8 Owen Aquino
Junior Forward | 6’8″, 230
9.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Liberty at Middle Tennessee History
Liberty leads the all-time series, 2-1.
Liberty at Middle Tennessee Storylines
RACE FOR REGULAR SEASON TITLE
The Flames and Blue Raiders are currently tied for 2nd place in conference play at 11-5 with two games left to play. Both teams are just a half game behind first place Jax State who is 12-5. Both Liberty and Middle Tennessee still have a path to a regular season title and the No. 1 seed in next week’s CUSA Tournament in Huntsville, Alabama. With the Flames win over MTSU back in early January, the Blue Raiders must win Thursday night to even the season series and keep their hopes for the 1-seed alive. It’s been quite the turnaround for both teams from last year when they both finished tied for 4th in the conference standings at 7-9.
“I’ve said for a long time, since the beginning of conference play, I’m not worried about the number by our name (in the conference tournament),” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “Yes, everyone wants to win a conference regular season championship. I actually think it’s harder than winning a conference tournament championship because of the duration of time, but the automatic bid is going to the team that wins on Saturday night two weeks from (now).”
BLUE RAIDERS HAVE WON 3 STRAIGHT
Middle Tennessee has pretty much been the forgotten team in the CUSA race for the regular season title as they have been sitting behind both Liberty and Jax State for much of the race. The Blue Raiders have been playing some of their best basketball in recent weeks. They have won three straight including a road sweep over New Mexico State and UTEP this past week, as they joined both Liberty and Jax State as the only CUSA teams to split that western road trip this season. In addition to winning three straight, MTSU has also won 5 out of six to remain in the race for the regular season title. With Saturday’s overtime win over UTEP, Middle Tennessee clinched its first 20-win season since 2021-22 and just their second under 7th year head coach Nick McDevitt.
“They are playing with a lot of confidence,” said McKay. “Nick McDevitt is a fabulous coach. We’ve competed against him for years. We know each other well. I just think they present a lot of challenges, especially on the offensive end with how many positions they can score the ball from and the actions that they run in order to get guys in those positions. Our defense will surely be tested. I do think we’ve been good defensively for the most part. I don’t think that was the case on Sunday against Kennesaw, but I own that.”
FLAMES TRYING TO WIN FOR FIRST TIME IN THE MURPHY CENTER
Liberty will be looking for its first ever win at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro. Of course, the Flames have only played there once before, losing to the Blue Raiders, 69-61, last year on March 5 late in the regular season. In that game, the Flames shot just 7 of 24 from three and committed 15 turnovers in the loss. Zach Cleveland led the team with 17 points.
It’s been a long time since these two met earlier this year, with the Flames defeating Middle Tennessee, 73-63, at Liberty Arena on Jan. 4, the same day the Flames’ football team competed in the Bahamas Bowl. In the previous game, Kaden Metheny led the Flames with 19 points while Colin Porter scored 16 and had 5 assists. MTSU was led by Camryn Weston’s 16 while their big man Essam Mostafa had 14 points and 16 rebounds. Mostafa has scored in double figures in each of the past eight games and has reached d double figures in all except for one conference game he has played in.
“Middle is as talented as anybody in the league,” said McKay. “Their guards are tremendous. Every player they put out there, they go nine-deep of really good players. That will be a stiff challenge, especially in Murfreesboro, a lot on the line. That’s what happens when you are in a title race. There is going to be pressure, that is terrific because if you are ever going to win in postseason, you need pressure. We will get some cracks at it and see how we do.”
