The Liberty Flames (13-3, 5-0) will look to continue its strong start to conference play with a pair of games at home this weekend, beginning Thursday evening against New Mexico State (9-6, 2-3).
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
How to Watch
6 p.m. ET | Thursday, January 15
Lynchburg, Virginia | Liberty Arena
TV: CBS Sports Network
Liberty vs New Mexico State Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -7
Projected score: Liberty 76, New Mexico State 69
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Senior Guard | 5’10”, 170
2025-26 stats: 11.5 ppg, 3.4 apg, 2.7 rpg
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Senior Guard | 5’11”, 170
2025-26 stats: 13.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.9 apg
#4 Brett Decker
Sophomore Guard | 6’3″, 190
2025-26 stats: 17.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 50.0% 3-point field goals
#9 JJ Harper
R-Senior Guard | 6’5″, 200
2025-26 stats: 10.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 apg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
2025-26 stats: 11.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 7.6 apg
Liberty vs New Mexico State History
Liberty leads, 3-1. The Flames swept the season series last year with a 68-60 win in Lynchburg on Jan. 18. Colin Porter led the Flames with 14 points, who won the game despite only making 3 of 14 three-point shots.
Liberty vs New Mexico State Storylines
COACH HOOTEN LOOKS TO HAVE AGGIES COMPETING FOR CUSA TITLE
After a very successful 13-year run as head coach at Sam Houston, where he had the Bearkats frequently competing for the conference championship, Jason Hooten is looking to do the same thing at New Mexico State. In his third season in Las Cruces, the Aggies have improved in each of his first two seasons, finishing tied for 4th place in the league standings last year. They have their eyes set on a better finish this year.
Currently the 4th highest rated CUSA team in KenPom, New Mexico State has dropped 3 out of 4 games entering Thursday night’s contest, including a 59-55 setback at home Saturday against Middle Tennessee. NMSU had a great start to the season, jumping out to a 6-0 record including a win over in-state rival New Mexico. They then lost three straight entering conference play and have struggled to get back to their stride.
“I have a ton of respect for Jason and how hard their team plays,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “In this league, especially with the quick turn, you’ve got to be unaffected by what the standings say. I don’t even know what New Mexico State is, I just know they are good. I have a ton of respect for the Aggies. Mine goes back historically because of my time at New Mexico. This is a tradition-rich program. They have a lot of pride. It will be a tough out.”
NEW LOOK TEAM
Like is typical around college basketball these days, there are numerous new faces on this year’s New Mexico State team. Of their top seven contributors, all except for one are first year players added through the transfer portal.
Projected starters:
- 6’0″, SO, Gabe Pickens
- 6’4″, SR, Jemel Jones
- 6’4″, SR, Anthony Wrzeszcz
- 6’9″, SR Julius Mims
- 6’11”, JR, Cyr Malonga
Out of the typical starters, Pickens is the only returning player for the Aggies. He is in his second year in the program and averaging 4.3 points and 3.5 assists per game. Jones leads the team at 15.9 points per game. He is a transfer from Cal State Bakersfield. Wrzeszcz transferred in-conference from Sam Houston and is currently averaging 7.7 points per game. Mimis is an Idaho transfer, who is second on the team with 10.2 points and leads the team with 7.7 rebounds per game. Malonga, an East Carolina transfer, is currently averaging 5.1 points per game.
The Aggies typically go about 10-deep with several players making an impact off the bench. Their top scoring options off the bench are Elijah Elliott and Jayland Randall. Elliott is a 6’1″ senior who has transferred in from Southern Illinois and is averaging 9.4 points per game. Randall is a 6’5″ senior from Southern Indiana who is averaging 8.7 points per game.
The Aggies feature one of the deepest and most productive bench units in the nation as they rank 24th nationally in bench points per game, averaging 33.8 points per contest from their reserve unit. The Aggie bench features six players who have scored in double figures off the bench at least once this season.
“Every game has a life of its own,” said McKay. “Our league is really good. We may not recognize the names because they weren’t here last year, but there’s investment in every program in this league in terms of rev share. We are not the king of the table. We are supported incredibly well, don’t get me wrong. They have really good players, and they are a great defensive team. I think they are the 19th most bench minutes. They are 10-deep and they keep rolling them in. We are going to have to exercise our strengths in order to be victorious or to have a chance to win.”
PROTECT YOUR HOME FLOOR
Since Liberty joined Conference USA prior to the 2023-24 season, it has been a league known for the difficulty of playing on the road. For a league that now spreads from Delaware to New Mexico, the travel can be arduous at times. Through this past weekend’s games, CUSA teams are 7-23 in league road games. The Flames, however, have found some success early in conference play away from home, posting a 3-0 mark in league road contests. Liberty was also really good on the road last year, winning its last four games on the road and six of its last seven. The Flames finished at 7-2 on the road in conference play last year.
On the flip side, it’s also very important to protect your home floor. The Flames are 8-0 at home this year and have won 110 of their 121 games at home. Liberty averages 90 points per game at Liberty Arena and allow only 61.9 ppg. The Flames are shooting 55.9% from the field and 45.1% from three-point range in their home venue. Meanwhile, the Aggies, though early, have struggled away from home this season. They’ve only played three true road games, dropping all three of them, including their first two against CUSA foes.
“When you are playing at home, it’s more about protecting your home court,” said McKay. “This league is the number one league for home court advantage in the country. You feel more pressure when you are at home, especially when the students aren’t back. I hope we get a great crowd because we’re going to need it.”
