Liberty (11-7, 0-3) will look to get back in the win column on Thursday against FIU (7-11, 2-1) in a Conference USA game.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
How to Watch
7:00 p.m. ET | Thursday, January 18
Lynchburg, VA | Liberty Arena
TV: ESPN+
Liberty vs FIU Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -13
Projected score: Liberty 78, FIU 65
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Sophomore Guard | 5’9″, 170
8.3 ppg, 3.9 apg
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
12.0 ppg, 2.9 apg, 3.4 rpg
#23 Joseph Venzant
Junior Guard | 6’3″, 200
5.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg
#22 Kyle Rode
R-Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
13.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.6 apg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Sophomore Forward | 6’7″, 215
11.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.7 apg
Liberty vs FIU History
The Flames are 1-2 all-time against FIU. The last game came during the 1996-97 season with Liberty winning, 67-51. The previous year, Liberty lost to FIU, 92-89. The first meeting in the series came during the 1981-82 season.
Liberty vs FIU Storylines
FLAMES NEED A WIN
Coming off three straight losses, something the Flames never did in the ASUN, Liberty desperately needs a win. The two losses on the road to Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech, games decided on the final possession of regulation/overtime are not bad losses. It’s the fact that Liberty lost both of them as well as the home loss to Jacksonville State. Playing against FIU, a team expected to finish near the bottom of the CUSA, at home, Liberty desperately needs to find a way to win this game.
Being in CUSA, it’s obvious Liberty has no chance at an at-large bid this season, but the team needs to begin to play with some confidence again, something it seems to be lacking in recent contests. Whether looking at the team’s hot 6-0 start or the recent setbacks with losses against four straight Division I opponents, the team is neither as good as it looked when winning early nor as bad as it may indicate from recent performances.
A win on Thursday night on the home floor can help stop the downfall and begin to turn the tide towards some positive momentum.
FIU 2-1 IN CUSA
The Panthers were picked to finish 7th in the 9-team CUSA in the preseason poll, looking as if they would continue a trend of three straight losing seasons, not just overall but also in conference play. FIU began the season losing six of its first eight contests, looking as though the preseason pundits were accurate. The Panthers then alternated wins and losses the next several times out on the court, and they finished the non-conference portion of its schedule at 5-10.
FIU dropped its conference opener, 70-63, at Jacksonville State. Certainly not a bad loss as Liberty has seen what the Gamecocks are capable of doing. Since that time, the Panthers have won two straight, picking up wins at home over New Mexico State and UTEP. They ended the UTEP game on a 23-4 run, storming back from a double digit deficit in the late minutes.
5’11” GUARD ARTURO DEAN LEADS THE WAY
Arturo Dean was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year a season ago after he started 23 games for the Panthers. The 5’11” guard has continued his strong play, leading FIU in now his second season in the program. Dean is currently averaging 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.
