Liberty (15-9, 4-5 CUSA) hopes to continue its winning ways when it hosts first place Louisiana Tech (16-7, 6-2) on Saturday night in a Conference USA game.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
How to Watch
8:00 p.m. ET | Saturday, February 10
Lynchburg, VA | Liberty Arena
TV: ESPNU
Liberty vs Louisiana Tech Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -1
Projected score: Liberty 68, Louisiana Tech 67
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Sophomore Guard | 5’9″, 170
8.4 ppg, 4.1 apg
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
12.7 ppg, 2.7 apg, 3.4 rpg
#23 Joseph Venzant
Junior Guard | 6’3″, 200
5.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg
#22 Kyle Rode
R-Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
13.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.5 apg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Sophomore Forward | 6’7″, 215
12.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.1 apg
Liberty vs Louisiana Tech History
Louisiana Tech leads 1-0, picking up the win in the first ever meeting between the two programs earlier this season. The Bulldogs outlasted Liberty in overtime, 80-76, on January 14.
Liberty vs Louisiana Tech Storylines
FIRST PLACE BULLDOGS COME TO TOWN
To this point of the season, Louisiana Tech has clearly delineated itself as the top team in Conference USA. They are in first place with a 6-2 record and their 16 overall wins are the most in the league as well, just ahead of Liberty’s 15. The Bulldogs are also the highest ranked team in the NET and KenPom rankings.
La Tech lost its CUSA opener at Sam Houston, but they then rebounded to win six straight to claim the top spot in the standings. On Wednesday night, they fell at home to Western Kentucky as their top two players, Daniel Batcho and Isaiah Crawford, were limited with foul trouble. The Bulldogs will certainly be coming into Lynchburg on Saturday night hungry and looking to get back in the win column.
REMATCH OF OVERTIME GAME
Less than a month ago, these two teams met in Ruston, Louisiana. It was a game where Liberty was looking to avoid dropping to 0-3 in conference play. The Flames led most of the way and by as many as 10 points before falling in overtime, 80-76. The Flames even led by 5 with just over 4 minutes left in regulation, and the Flames had possession of the ball in a tied game for the final shot in regulation.
Kyle Rode led the Flames with 20 points in that meeting, making 4 of his 10 three point attempts while Zach Cleveland added 18 points. Daniel Batcho and Isaiah Crawford were too much for Liberty though. Batcho had 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks while preseason CUSA Player of the Year Crawford had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 blocks.
FLAMES HOPING TO MAKE PUSH INTO TOP HALF OF STANDINGS
Sitting at 4-5, Liberty is currently in a tie for 5th place, but the Flames are still in striking distance of even first place La Tech. To catch the Bulldogs, Liberty must win Saturday night to pull within two games of the conference leaders with 6 games to play.
The Flames also have several other teams in the top half of the standings within their cross-hairs. Liberty is just two games out of second place and could be a half game out of third place with a win and some help Saturday.
There’s still a long way to go and plenty of room for the Flames to make a push towards the top of the standings and that can begin Saturday night against the first place Bulldogs.
