Liberty (1-3) vs. Bethune-Cookman (1-4)
Daytona Beach, Florida – Ocean Center
Tuesday, Nov. 23, 5:00 p.m. ET
DSPN TV
Last Meeting: N/A
Series History: First meeting
Projected LU Starters:
2 Darius McGhee (Sr., 5-9, 150) – 16.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.0 apg
23 Joseph Venzant (Fr., 6-3, 170) – 6.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 0.0 apg
22 Kyle Rode (Jr., 6-7, 220) – 5.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg
32 Blake Preston (R-Jr., 6-9, 230) – 7.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.0 apg
33 Shiloh Robinson (Jr., 6-7, 215) – 5.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.0 apg
Projected Bethune-Cookman Starters:
3 Marcus Garrett (R-Jr., 6-1, 195) – 9.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.8 apg
5 Damani McEntire (Jr., 6-4, 190) – 11.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.4 apg
2 Jakolby Long (Gr., 6-4, 215) – 5.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.0 apg
30 Joe French (So., 6-5, 180) – 12.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.8 apg
22 Dylan Robertson (Sr., 6-9, 205) – 11.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.2 apg
PREVIEW
The Liberty Flames will look to get into the win column against a Division I opponent for the first time this season on Tuesday night. It’s been a disappointing start to the season so far for the Flames, dropping three straight games since its season opening win against Regent. Since then, it’s been a struggle, losing late leads at LSU and against Iona before getting beat up by Manhattan.
The last two games were part of the ASUN/MAAC Challenge in Orlando, Florida, and the Flames have remained in the Sunshine State to take on Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach. The Wildcats call Daytona home, but this game is on a neutral floor at the Ocean Center, where Bethune-Cookman has played its last two games. After opening 0-3 with losses, all on the road, to South Florida, Middle Tennessee, and Utah by an average of 24 points, Bethune has been competitive in its last two games, both of which were played at the Ocean Center. On Saturday, the Wildcats defeated Bryant, 81-75, its first non-conference win since Dec. 21, 2019. On Sunday, they fell to Air Force, 73-65.
Amid the COVID pandemic, Bethune-Cookman didn’t play last season, and they are competing this year for the first time as a member of the SWAC after switching leagues from the MEAC. They are led by first year head coach Reggie Theus. If that names sounds familiar, it’s because Theus is a 13-year NBA veteran where he was a two-time all-star. He has previous head coaching stints for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and in college at New Mexico State and Cal State Northridge. He was also an assistant for the Louisville Cardinals under Rick Pitino.
KENPOM PREDICTION
Liberty 73, Bethune-Cookman 58
