Liberty (6-1) looks to bounce back Friday night after suffering the team’s first loss of the season. The Flames will take on the College of Charleston (3-3) in Boca Raton, Florida to conclude play in the Field of 68 Tip-Off event.

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

How to Watch

6:00 p.m. ET | Friday, December 1
Boca Raton, FL | Baldwin Arena
TV: FloHoops

Liberty vs Charleston Odds (KenPom)

Spread: Liberty -8
Projected score: Liberty 77, Charleston 69

Liberty Projected Starters

#0 Colin Porter

Sophomore Guard | 5’9″, 170
10.1 ppg, 3.9 apg, 40.0% 3-point

#3 Kaden Metheny

R-Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
12.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 3.4 rpg

#23 Joseph Venzant

Junior Guard | 6’3″, 200
5.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg

#22 Kyle Rode

R-Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
14.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg

#25 Zach Cleveland

Sophomore Forward | 6’7″, 215
9.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.7 apg

Liberty vs Charleston History

Liberty is 0-2 all-time against Charleston. The two previous meetings took place in back to back seasons, 1989-90 and 1990-91.

Liberty vs Charleston Storylines

FLAMES LOOKING FOR QUICK REBOUND

Liberty suffered its first defeat of the season less than 24 hours ago, as the Flames fell to No. 13 FAU on the same court LU will face Charleston on. Will the Flames be able to flush that result and not let it carry over to Friday’s game?

That’s not easy to do, especially on such a short turnaround, but, at the same time, having a very quick turnaround could be looked at as a good thing. There’s no time to dwell on the loss, but only time to move on and look ahead.

CHARLESTON COMING OFF TERRIFIC SEASON

If it wasn’t for FAU’s run to the Final Four last year, the College of Charleston would have likely garnered a lot more national attention for the season they had last year. The Cougars won 31 games, spent some time ranked in the top 25, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament as a 12-seed.

In the Big Dance, Charleston fell to San Diego State by six points. Of course, the Aztecs went on to the National Championship game, after beating FAU, before losing to UConn in the title tilt.

Head coach Path Kelsey and the Cougars are looking to rekindle some of the magic from a season ago and are picked as the preseason favorite in the CAA.

McKAY, LIBERTY FACING FAMILIAR FOE

Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay and the Flames’ program will be taking on a familiar foe on the other sideline Friday night. Pat Kelsey, the head coach of Charleston, is in his third season guiding the Cougars, but he spent nine seasons as the head coach of Winthrop prior to moving to Charleston.

While at Winthrop, Kelsey had his team at the top of the Big South most seasons and he faced Liberty and Coach McKay before the Flames made the move to the ASUN. McKay and Kelsey have also become good friends over the years.

“I’ve known Coach Kelsey for a while,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “We connected the year he took off. I have an appreciation for why he stepped away. He ended up coming to Charlottesville and spending some time with us. I got to know him a little bit and what he’s about. I think he’s terrific. He’s obviously acclaimed for being such a great coach, but I think he’s even a better person. I love the way he runs his program. I went to Winthrop when he was there to watch them practice, had a good friend on his staff, Jayson Gee. I think the world of Pat Kelsey. He’s a phenomenal recruiter, he’s a great coach. What they have done in their city has been admirable.”