The Liberty Flames (14-3, 6-0) will look to continue its strong start to conference play on Saturday afternoon against UTEP (6-11, 2-4).
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
How to Watch
3 p.m. ET | Saturday, January 17
Lynchburg, Virginia | Liberty Arena
TV: ESPN+
Liberty vs UTEP Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -13
Projected score: Liberty 76, UTEP 63
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Senior Guard | 5’10”, 170
2025-26 stats: 11.2 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.7 rpg
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Senior Guard | 5’11”, 170
2025-26 stats: 13.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.9 apg
#4 Brett Decker
Sophomore Guard | 6’3″, 190
2025-26 stats: 17.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 49.6% 3-point field goals
#9 JJ Harper
R-Senior Guard | 6’5″, 200
2025-26 stats: 10.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 apg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
2025-26 stats: 11.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 7.6 apg
Liberty vs UTEP History
Series tied, 3-3. All six meetings have happened in the prior two seasons since Liberty joined CUSA with the Flames and Miners meeting in Huntsville in the CUSA Tournament Quarterfinals each of the past two seasons. UTEP won 2 of 3 in the series the first season while Liberty took two of three last year. UTEP did knock off the Flames at Liberty Arena last season, 72-70, on Jan. 16. Liberty defeated the Miners in the CUSA Tournament, 81-60.
Liberty vs UTEP Storylines
MINERS HAVE STRUGGLED THIS SEASON
Since Liberty joined Conference USA two years ago, UTEP has been a tough out. The Flames and Miners tied for fourth place in the league in 2023-24, with UTEP eliminating Liberty in the CUSA Tournament Quarterfinals. Last year, UTEP finished in 8th place in the league standings and once again met with Liberty in the quarterfinals before falling. The Miners pulled off the upset of Liberty at Liberty Arena last season almost a year to the date, with it happening on Jan. 16, 2025.
This year, things haven’t quite gone the same for head coach Joe Golding and the Miners. They lost their first seven Division I games before losing its first three CUSA contests, all on the road. UTEP has bounced back to win two of three, including an overtime win against Middle Tennessee. They are coming off a 70-69 win at Delaware Thursday night to improve to 3-11 against DI opponents this season.
MINERS HAVE BALANCED ATTACK LED BY STARTING GROUP
UTEP has a fairly balanced attack led primarily by their typical starting lineup.
Projected starters:
- 6’1″, SO, KJ Thomas
- 6’1″, JR, Caleb Blackwell
- 6’6″, SR, Jamal West
- 6’8″, JR, Elijah Jones
- 6’9″, JR, Kaseem Watson
Jones, a third year player for the Miners, leads the team at 13.5 points per game to go along with 4.6 rebounds per contest. Jamal West, a transfer from Nichols State, is averaging 13.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Delaware State transfer Kaseem Watson is currently averaging 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Caleb Blackwell transferred to UTEP from Alabama A&M. He’s fourth on the team in scoring at 9.2 points per game. KJ Thomas, his second year with the program, is averaging 5.7 points per game.
“Typically, Coach Golding’s teams are great from the defensive end, make it really hard for your offense to have flow or continuity,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay of the Miners. “I think they are probably like every team in the league, still finding their way. He’s a really good coach though. These turns, I’m glad we’re at home, these turns aren’t the easiest, but everybody’s got to do them. We want to stay in the lane of gratitude and not complaint. Our guys will be ready. They will find a way to recover and handle it in a way that shows our appreciation.”
