The Liberty Flames (20-3, 12-0) begin a two-game road trip out west on Wednesday evening against New Mexico State (11-12, 4-9).

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

How to Watch

9 p.m. ET | Wednesday, February 11
Las Cruces, New Mexico | Pan American Center
TV: ESPN+

Liberty vs NMSU Odds (KenPom)

Spread: Liberty -3
Projected score: Liberty 75, New Mexico State 72

Liberty Projected Starters

#0 Colin Porter

Senior Guard | 5’10”, 170
2025-26 stats: 11.6 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.0 rpg

#3 Kaden Metheny

R-Senior Guard | 5’11”, 170
2025-26 stats: 13.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.1 apg

#4 Brett Decker

Sophomore Guard | 6’3″, 190
2025-26 stats: 17.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 50.6% 3-point field goals

#9 JJ Harper

R-Senior Guard | 6’5″, 200
2025-26 stats: 10.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.4 apg

#25 Zach Cleveland

Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
2025-26 stats: 11.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 7.3 apg

Liberty vs NMSU History

Liberty leads, 4-1, having won 4 straight. The Flames defeated the Aggies, 73-71, at Liberty Arena earlier this season on Jan. 15.

Liberty vs NMSU Storylines

PREVIOUS MEETING

The Flames led by as many as 17 points before New Mexico State opened the second half on a 13-2 run to quickly get back in the contest. The Aggies continued to chip away at the deficit, tying the game with 7:46 remaining. NMSU trailed by two on the final possession of the game as NMSU got a clean look from three on the wing but it rimmed out with Josh Smith securing the rebound as the Flames picked up the win. The Aggies shot 58.3% from three in the second half as Liberty also had to play without Colin Porter and Brett Decker at moments of the game due to injury.

Decker scored 17 points on 7 of 12 shooting while JJ Harper got to 17 points, making 6 of his 7 shots. Josh Smith added 14 points off the bench while Colin Porter and Kaden Metheny each had 7. Zach Cleveland finished the game with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.

For the Aggies, Anthony Wrzeszcz led the team with 16 points while making 4 of 8 from three. Jemel Jones had 15 points while making 3 of 6 from behind the arc.

SINCE THEN

New Mexico State began the season 6-0 and looked like they might be one of the top teams in Conference USA. Since then, they have gone just 5-12 and are just 2-7 in their last nine games. Since their last at Liberty, the Aggies have lost 6 of 8 games including a stretch of four straight setbacks. NMSU is coming off a three-point loss in overtime at UTEP on Saturday night. Against the Miners, Jones scored 26 points in the loss. New Mexico State has fallen into 11th place in the conference standings are in danger of missing the CUSA Tournament.

Projected NMSU starters:

  • 6’0″, SO, Gabe Pickens (4.1 ppg, 3.0 apg)
  • 6’4″, SR, Jemel Jones (16.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
  • 6’4″, SR, Anthony Wrzeszcz (8.3 ppg)
  • 6’6″, SO, Jae’Coby Osborne (5.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
  • 6’9″, SR Julius Mims (10.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg)

CAN FLAMES KEEP THEIR STREAKS ALIVE

Liberty currently has a 14-game winning streak that dates back to December 10. That win streak currently ranks as the third longest in the country, only trailing Miami Ohio (24) and Saint Louis (17). The Flames have also won seven-straight on the road during this streak while starting conference play at 12-0. That’s the best start by any team in CUSA action since Memphis was 16-0 in the 2012-13 season, and Liberty is one of only three teams that are currently unbeaten in conference play, also joining Miami Ohio and Saint Louis, both are 11-0. Dating back to last season, Liberty has won 17-straight and 23 out of 24 against CUSA opponents, including postseason play. The Flames have also won 10-straight conference road games dating back to last season with the last loss coming on Feb. 1, 2025 at Jacksonville State. All of these streaks, obviously, will be put on the line Wednesday night at New Mexico State.