Liberty (9-6) vs. Stetson (6-7)
DeLand, Florida – Edmonds Center (Capacity: 4,000)
Tuesday, Jan. 4, 7:00 p.m.
ESPN+
Last Meeting: Liberty won 2 out of 3 games last year, including in the ASUN semis
Series History: Liberty leads 6-3
Projected LU Starters:
2 Darius McGhee (Sr., 5-9, 150) – 21.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.0 apg
23 Joseph Venzant (Fr., 6-3, 170) – 4.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.5 apg
20 Keegan McDowell (R-Sr., 6-6, 180) – 10.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 apg
22 Kyle Rode (Jr., 6-7, 220) – 5.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.5 apg
33 Shiloh Robinson (R-Jr., 6-7, 200) – 8.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.0 apg
Projected Stetson Starters:
11 Chase Johnston (So., 6-2, 185) – 12.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 apg
30 Stephan Swenson (So., 6-2, 195) – 5.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 5.1 apg
2 Rob Perry (Jr., 6-4, 210) – 15.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.8 apg
0 Christiaan Jones (Sr., 6-5, 195) – 11.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 apg
15 Mahamadou Diawara (Jr., 6-10, 250) – 6.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 0.5 apg
PREVIEW
The conference opener for both teams as Liberty begins its quest for a fourth straight ASUN regular season and tournament championship. The Flames have had to begin league play on the road in each of its first four seasons in the ASUN, and Liberty will take on a team that has given itself fits, particularly on the road, since joining the conference.
The Flames are 6-2 against Stetson since joining the ASUN. The two programs have met in the ASUN Tournament semifinals each of the past two years, with Liberty coming out on top in both. Stetson has gotten the upper hand on their home floor, winning a game against the Flames at home in each of the past two years. The teams split the two games played in DeLand last season.
The Hatters are 6-7 this season with a 2-7 mark against Division I opponents. Their wins came against Lamar and Charleston while their losses have been to Georgia Tech, Miami (OH), Campbell, Florida Atlantic, FIU, Ohio, and Miami (FL).
Stetson has a familiar roster as the core of their team has remained the same throughout the past three seasons. Their junior class, led by Rob Perry and Mahamadou Diawara, have been the soul of their team since they were freshmen. Christiaan Jones provides a veteran scorer on the wing who is capable of taking over at any moment, and Chase Johnston is one of the best three-point shooters in the conference.
KENPOM PREDICTION
Liberty 66, Stetson 63
