Liberty (17-12, 6-8 CUSA) concludes its road schedule this regular season at Middle Tennessee (12-17, 6-8) on Tuesday night in a Conference USA game.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
How to Watch
7:00 p.m. ET | Tuesday, March 5
Murfreesboro, TN | Murphy Center
TV: ESPN+
Liberty vs Middle Tennessee Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -5
Projected score: Liberty 69, Middle Tennessee 64
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Sophomore Guard | 5’9″, 170
7.9 ppg, 3.8 apg
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
13.4 ppg, 2.8 apg, 3.3 rpg
#23 Joseph Venzant
Junior Guard | 6’3″, 200
5.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg
#22 Kyle Rode
R-Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
13.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Sophomore Forward | 6’7″, 215
12.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.9 apg
Liberty vs Middle Tennessee History
The Flames are 1-0 all-time against Middle Tennessee with the first and only prior meeting coming earlier this season. Liberty defeated MTSU, 88-53, in Lynchburg, Virginia a few weeks ago.
Liberty vs Middle Tennessee Storylines
FLAMES CAN REACH 3-SEED
As disappointing as this season has been for the Flames, can still reach the #3 seed in next week’s Conference USA Tournament. The path is pretty clear and straightforward for Coach Ritchie McKay’s squad – win two games this week and secure the 3-seed.
Liberty would reach 8-8 and end up tied with Western Kentucky for #3 in the conference. The Flames would earn the tiebreaker over the Hilltoppers thanks to a 1-1 record against Sam Houston compared to WKU’s 0-2 mark against the Bearkats.
Anything other than a perfect 2-0 week and it will be chaos trying to determine what seed the Flames will earn. There could be multiple teams tied with 7-9 and/or 6-10 conference records.
The Flames are also hoping to get to .500 in conference play by the end of the regular season, something Liberty has done every year under Coach McKay.
MTSU ONE OF HOTTER TEAMS IN CUSA
The Blue Raiders, like Liberty, were preseason favorites to win CUSA. They struggled throughout the season, including in the non-conference portion of the slate. MTSU started 0-4 and 2-6 in conference play, but they have seemingly found their rhythm and won four out of their last six with their only losses coming on the road to Jacksonville State and Sam Houston.
Middle Tennessee could also get to .500 in conference play with two wins this week, as they face the Flames and then conclude the regular season at Louisiana Tech on Saturday.
LOOKING FOR ROAD WIN
Liberty is looking for that elusive road win as the regular season nears a close. The Flames are just 1-6 away from home in conference play and have only won two road contests all season. Looking for a win Tuesday in Tennessee can help the Flames pick up some momentum for next week’s conference tournament.
The Flames have lacked consistency as a team this season. There have been moments and games where the team looks like it could put it together and compete for a conference title. Think about the first MTSU game, the win over New Mexico State last week, and wins at home over Louisiana Tech and Sam Houston. Then, there are also moments and games where Liberty looks like it is lost and one of the worst teams in the league.
Can the team find that elusive consistency as the season comes to a close?
