Liberty (13-7, 2-3) looks to extend its winning streak while beginning a three game road trip on Saturday against Jacksonville State (10-10, 2-3) in a Conference USA game.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
How to Watch
5:00 p.m. ET | Saturday, January 27
Jacksonville, AL | Mathews Coliseum
TV: ESPN+
Liberty vs Jacksonville State Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -3
Projected score: Liberty 66, Jacksonville State 63
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Sophomore Guard | 5’9″, 170
8.6 ppg, 4.3 apg
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
12.6 ppg, 3.1 apg, 3.3 rpg
#23 Joseph Venzant
Junior Guard | 6’3″, 200
6.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg
#22 Kyle Rode
R-Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
14.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.6 apg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Sophomore Forward | 6’7″, 215
11.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.8 apg
Liberty vs Jacksonville State History
The all-time series is tied at 2 following Jacksonville State’s win at Liberty Arena on January 10, 61-51. The Gamecocks are the only visiting team to win two games at Liberty Arena.
Liberty vs Jacksonville State Storylines
FLAMES LOOKING FOR PAYBACK
As has been well discussed, Liberty started CUSA play at 0-3. Included during those first three contests were losses on the road to two of the better teams in the league, Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech. The Flames dropped those by just one possession – a missed three-pointer at WKU and being unable to score on the last possession of regulation before falling in overtime in Ruston, Louisiana.
The third loss among those is one that is a head-scratcher – a 10-point home loss to Jacksonville State. That setback is tied for the largest margin of defeat the Flames have ever suffered at Liberty Arena.
Now, the Flames will be looking for some payback and steal that win on the road against the Gamecocks. Liberty has had some success at Mathews Coliseum, knocking off Jacksonville State, 79-55, on Feb. 18 last year when both teams were members of the ASUN.
BEGINNING OF 3-GAME ROAD TRIP
After two straight wins at home, Liberty will now look to carry some of that success on the road as the Flames begin a three-game road swing in conference play. Liberty is currently 0-2 away from home against CUSA competition before these next three at Jacksonville State, New Mexico State, and UTEP.
It has been difficult for all CUSA teams to win away from home so far this season during conference play. Teams are 16-4 when playing at home during conference play so far this year.
JAX STATE HOPING TO REGAIN THEIR RHYTHM
The Gamecocks were on a six-game win streak that rolled into the start of conference play with their wins over FIU and the Flames. Since then, they have dropped three straight with losses at Western Kentucky, at home to Louisiana Tech, and at Middle Tennessee. Jacksonville State will be looking to get back on track to keep and regain some of that momentum they had to begin conference play.
