Liberty (11-9, 6-1) is back in the Vines Center Saturday night as they play host to Winthrop (14-4, 6-1). Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm.
1. It’s a battle for first place at the midway point of the conference season.
With Winthrop’s win over UNC Asheville on Thursday night, it sets up a matchup of the two 6-1, first place Big South teams between Liberty and Winthrop. The winner of the game will sit alone in first place midway through Big South play.
2. Preseason Big South Player of the Year Keon Johnson is one of the top scorers in the nation.
The 5’7″ senior guard is currently averaging 20.5 points per game which puts him in the top 25 of all scorers in Division I.
3. 6’8″ junior forward Xavier Cooks is in the top 10 of all scorers in the Big South.
Cooks currently ranks 7th in the league averaging 15.7 points per game, and he is 3rd in the conference averaging 8 rebounds per game. He averaged 24 points and 6.5 rebounds per game against Liberty last season.
4. The game will feature the top scoring offense and the top scoring defense in the Big South.
Winthrop leads the conference in scoring offense as they average 78.3 points per game. The Flames are holding its opponents to a Big South best 64.7 points per game.
5. The Eagles have dominated the overall series with the Flames, leading 38-16.
Liberty had last 9 straight prior to beating Winthrop a season ago. In addition to winning 9 of the past 10 meetings, Winthrop has defeated Liberty 12 out of the last 14 and 18 out of the last 21 matchups. Dating back to 1998, Winthrop has gone 33-7 against the Flames.
6. Coach McKay is 2-4 all-time against Winthrop.
This includes a 2-1 record at the Vines Center and a season split last year with both teams winning on their respective home floors.
7. KenPom gives the Flames a 42% chance of winning the game.
The predicted score is Winthrop 71, Liberty 69.
Notable quotes
Ryan Kemrite – “Who was first place at this time last year? Nobody knows. Nobody cares. We don’t look at the standings, we don’t worry about that. We will enjoy (the win over Gardner-Webb), and come back (Friday) to practice to to prepare for Winthrop because they’re a good team. We look forward to challenging ourselves against them.”
John Dawson – “I’m excited for every game because we’re going to get an opponent’s best shot, every time, no matter who it is. It’s going to be great playing Winthrop. They’re really good on the offensive end, they’ve got great players, great coach, but it’s just another game. We’re trying to go 1-0. Winthrop is a great team, so is Gardner-Webb. We’re not going to worry about them. We’re going to worry about doing what we do and taking the next step forward to being a better team.”
Coach McKay – “It’s mid-season. We have so far to go, but I love what we’re doing because our guys are interested in the process and trying to layer the details. That gives us a chance every night out. I’ve been here when the Vines Center has been packed, and when it’s rocking it gives us such a great advantage. I hope our team is worthy of a great crowd because I think they play the right way, and I would love to see it happen for them. I also know that we’re still, no matter what the position is in the standings, we’re still a work in progress. I don’t want to focus too much on Winthrop or game number 8 in the conference. I want to focus on practice (Friday) and us getting better.”
