The Liberty Flames (14-2, 2-1 CUSA) are back in action on Saturday night at Louisiana Tech (12-4, 1-2) to continue conference play.

Here’s what you need to know about the game:

Liberty at Louisiana Tech How to Watch

8 p.m. ET | Saturday, Jan 11
Ruston, Louisiana | Thomas Assembly Center
TV: ESPNU

Liberty at Louisiana Tech Odds (KenPom)

Spread: Liberty -2
Projected score: Liberty 66, Louisiana Tech 64

Liberty Projected Starters

#0 Colin Porter

Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
8.1 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.1 rpg

#3 Kaden Metheny

R-Senior Guard | 5’11”, 170
14.3 ppg, 42.9% from 3

#32 Jayvon Maughmer

Senior Guard | 6’6″, 205
9.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg

#25 Zach Cleveland

Junior Forward | 6’7″, 220
11.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 5.2 apg

#8 Owen Aquino

Junior Forward | 6’8″, 230
10.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.3 bpg

Liberty at Louisiana Tech History

Series tied, 1-1 as both teams split the series last year, each winning on their home floor.

Liberty at Louisiana Tech Storylines

MATCHUP OF CUSA FAVORITES

After a 12-4 conference season a year ago, where Louisiana Tech finished as the #2 team in CUSA, the Bulldogs were picked as the preseason favorites in the league this season. Third year head coach Talvin Hester has Louisiana Tech back in the mix at the top of the standings again this season.

The Bulldogs started the year at 7-0 before a head-scratching home loss to Southern by three and then a 10-point loss at Memphis. They bounced back to win four straight, including a win over Grand Canyon, to conclude non-conference play at 11-2.

FLAMES TO BE TESTED BY BATCHO

Louisiana Tech big man Daniel Batcho is the preseason Player of the Year in Conference USA, and he is living up to those expectations. The 6’11”, 245-pound senior from France is averaging 18.1 points per game while shooting a staggering 75.7% from the field. He also is averaging 6.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.

Batcho was very good against the undersized Flames last season. He averaged 19.5 points and 9 rebounds in the two games against Liberty while shooting 15 of 26 (57.7%) from the field. How will Owen Aquino and the other forwards handle Batcho this year?

Other players to watch for LA Tech:

  • 6’4″ G Amaree Abram 12.8p, 4.6r
  • 6’5″ G Kaden Cooper 12.6p, 7.7r
  • 6’1″ G Sean Newman 9.1p, 9.6a
  • 6’3″ G Al Green 8.9p

BULLDOGS WITH A BIG BOUNCE BACK WIN AFTER SLOW START IN CUSA

Louisiana Tech opened conference play with two straight losses at UTEP (70-60) and New Mexico State (78-48). Don’t overstate those results as very few teams will make the trip to El Paso and Las Cruces in conference play this season and come away with even a single W.

As expected, LA Tech bounced back in a big win Thursday night at home with an 81-64 win over FIU. The game wasn’t even that close. The Bulldogs opened the game on a 25-4 run and led 42-14 late in the first half. It was over at that point. Batcho had 16 points as he made 7 of 8 field goals. Al Green led both teams in scoring with 21 as he made 5 of his 7 three point attempts. Kaden Cooper added 19 points as he was very effective (8 of 9) inside the arc.

The Bulldogs will be looking to protect home court again before hitting the road for two more games away from the Thomas Assembly Center.