The Liberty Flames (14-3, 2-2 CUSA) are back in action on Thursday night at Liberty Arena against UTEP (12-4, 2-1) to continue conference play.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
Liberty vs UTEP How to Watch
9 p.m. ET | Thursday, Jan 16
Lynchburg, VA | Liberty Arena
TV: CBS Sports Network
Liberty vs UTEP Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -10
Projected score: Liberty 72, UTEP 62
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
8.1 ppg, 4.3 apg, 46.9% from 3
*after suffering an injury against Louisiana Tech, Porter is expected to play against UTEP though he hasn’t practiced all week
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Senior Guard | 5’11”, 170
13.6 ppg, 41.9% from 3
#32 Jayvon Maughmer
Senior Guard | 6’6″, 205
9.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Junior Forward | 6’7″, 220
11.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 5.2 apg
#8 Owen Aquino
Junior Forward | 6’8″, 230
9.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Liberty vs UTEP History
UTEP leads, 2-1, with all three games coming last season as CUSA members.
Liberty vs UTEP Storylines
REMATCH OF CUSA QUARTERFINAL
Thursday night will be the first time Liberty gets to face the team that ended its season last year. The Flames and Miners finished last season at 7-9 in conference play, tied for 4th place. The two met in the CUSA Quarterfinals in Huntsville, Alabama in the 4-5 game with the 5-seed UTEP getting the win, 66-57.
Liberty led the game 54-42 with just over 10 minutes remaining following a Kaden Metheny made three-pointer, but, from there, it was all UTEP. The Miners closed the game on a 24-3 run to win going away and cruise into the CUSA semifinals. The Miners went on an 11-0 run to quickly cut their deficit to just a single point, with a couple of those baskets coming off turnovers that led to fast break buckets at the paint. Down the stretch, when Liberty only scored three points, the Flames missed the front end of a one-and-one three times – Joseph Venzant, Colin Porter, and Shiloh Robinson all had their opportunities bounce off the rim. The Flames were just 4 of 10 from the charity stripe compared to 19 of 22 by the Miners, and those missed front ends of one and ones are akin to turnovers.
The Miners would go on the next day to upset the 1-seed Sam Houston before falling to Western Kentucky in the CUSA Tournament final.
UTEP TRYING TO BOUNCE BACK FROM ROUGH HOME LOSS
This year, UTEP returned several of its key players from last year’s team as they have their eyes set on carrying over the success from the conference tournament to this season.
The Miners opened the year at 12-3 overall and were arguably the hottest team in CUSA having won 9 out of 10 with the only loss coming at Louisville by just 3 points. UTEP beat Louisiana Tech and Sam Houston at home to finish that stretch and open at 2-0 in conference play.
Playing just one game last week, UTEP lost at home to New Mexico State, 85-57. The Aggies used a 20-3 run in the first half of the game to seize control of the contest and another 17-3 run in the second half to put the game out of reach.
MINERS PRESSURE, DEPTH, AND LENGTH TO CHALLENGE FLAMES
It’s no secret that Liberty lacks depth, particularly in the frontcourt. The Flames only have six players that have carved out consistent and significant roles following the injury to Isaiah Ihnen.
For UTEP, they have depth and length that will challenge the Flames. The Miners typically play as many as 11 on any given night. They also have six players as part of their normal rotation that are at least 6’5″ including three between 6’8″ and 6’10”.
Derick Hamilton at 6’10” and 275 pounds will be an inside presence the Flames will have to deal with. The third-year player at UTEP is averaging 4.4 points per game.
6’6″ wing Otis Frazier leads the team in scoring at 13.8 points per game. Also in his third year with the Miners, Frazier also averages 4.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
6’5″ guard Corey Camper, in his second year at UTEP, is averaging 12.9 points per game while Tarleton State transfer, 6’1″ guard Devon Barnes is averaging 10.8 points per game and shooting 41.2% from three.
Kevin Kalu is a 6’9″, 235 pound senior who is in his fourth year with the Miners. He’s averaging 6.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
UTEP is also really good at creating pressure against opposing teams. Just like last season, the Miners are first in the country in turnovers forced and in the top five nationally in points off turnovers.
“Taking care of the ball will be paramount,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “They beat us twice last year. So, they will come in here with a great sense of confidence. We will have to do a good job of executing our system to hopefully have a chance to go 1-0.”
