The Liberty Flames (19-5, 7-4 CUSA) are back in action on Thursday against New Mexico State (12-11, 5-5) to continue conference play.

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

Liberty at New Mexico State How to Watch

9 p.m. ET | Thursday, Feb 13
Las Cruces, New Mexico | Pan American Center
TV: ESPN+

Liberty at New Mexico State Odds (KenPom)

Spread: Liberty -4
Projected score: Liberty 67, New Mexico State 63

Liberty Projected Starters

#0 Colin Porter

Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
9.2 ppg, 4.2 apg, 46.3% from 3

#3 Kaden Metheny

R-Senior Guard | 5’11”, 170
13.3 ppg, 38.8% from 3

#32 Jayvon Maughmer

Senior Guard | 6’6″, 205
8.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg

#25 Zach Cleveland

Junior Forward | 6’7″, 220
11.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.0 apg

#8 Owen Aquino

Junior Forward | 6’8″, 230
9.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.1 bpg

Liberty vs New Mexico State History

Liberty leads the all-time series, 2-1, including a 68-60 win in Lynchburg earlier this season.

Liberty vs New Mexico State Storylines

AGGIES STRUGGLING

Just less than a month ago, the Aggies came into Lynchburg winners of seven straight including their first four in CUSA play. They sat alone at the top of the conference standings at that point at 4-0.

Of course, they exited Liberty Arena that night with their first conference loss of the season, and they have gone on to lose four more in their next five games. This includes a loss at Western Kentucky by 32 points and a 66-63 loss at home to UTEP their last two times on the court.

SHOOT THE THREE?

It’s no secret that the Flames like to shoot three. Under coach McKay, Liberty has always preferred to shoot from behind the arc at a high rate. Well, it came as quite the surprise when Liberty defeated New Mexico State in the first meeting this season despite only making three three-pointers on the afternoon.

NMSU was intent on forcing the Flames off the three-point line and they had a lot of success doing that. Liberty only attempted 14 threes on the night with Zander Yates making 2 of his 4 attempts and Colin Porter making 1 of 3. The rest of the team combined to shoot 0 for 7 from behind the arc. But Liberty took what the defense gave them and attacked the basket, making over 55% of the team’s two-point attempts.

FLAMES EYEING THE TOP SPOT

Liberty has an opportunity to move into sole possession of second place in Conference USA with a win on Thursday as Middle Tennessee doesn’t play again until Saturday. The Flames also remain two games out of first place behind Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks have two road games this week at Sam Houston and Louisiana Tech. If Liberty is going to remain within striking distance of Jax State for the regular season, the Flames must at least finish this weekend road trip remaining two games behind the Gamecocks. Of course, making up a game is preferred.

This means Liberty likely needs to get at least a split of this two-game road swing and a win Thursday would certainly go a long way in helping the Flames stay in the chase. After this two-game road trip, Liberty returns home for its final three home games which includes a rematch against Jacksonville State on Feb. 27.