The Liberty Flames (5-1) picked up a win Friday evening over Louisiana to open play in the 2024 Paradise Jam to move into the winner’s bracket. With the win, the Flames will now take on Kansas State (4-1) in the semifinals of the event.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
Liberty vs Kansas State How to Watch
8:00 p.m. ET | Sunday, November 24
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands | Sports and Fitness Center
TV: ESPN+
Liberty vs Kansas State Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -1
Projected score: Liberty 67, Kansas State 66
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
6.2 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.2 rpg
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Senior Guard | 5’11”, 170
15.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg
#32 Jayvon Maughmer
Senior Guard | 6’6″, 205
8.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Junior Forward | 6’7″, 220
12.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.3 apg
#8 Owen Aquino
Junior Forward | 6’8″, 230
10.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.7 bpg
Liberty vs Kansas State History
N/A, first meeting
Liberty vs Kansas State Storylines
BIG TEST FOR THE FLAMES
This will be, on paper, the biggest challenge for Liberty this season. The Flames won’t be facing another Power Conference or high major team this year, unless it happens in the postseason.
While there have been strong mid-major opponents already on the schedule this season and Conference USA will offer some stuff tests as well, it won’t bring the same level of attention and name brand recognition that this game will afford.
Win this game and people on the national level might start paying attention to the Flames early play.
WILDCATS LOOKING TO GET BACK TO THE DANCE
Kansas State is in their third season under head coach Jerome Tang. The former Baylor assistant coach led the Wildcats to the Elite 8 in his first season but missed the Big Dance last year with a 19-15 overall record and 8-10 mark in Big 12 play.
This year, Kansas State was picked to finish 8th in the 16th team Big 12 preseason poll. They have started the year 4-1 with wins over New Orleans, Cleveland State, and Mississippi Valley State before heading to the Virgin Islands. Their lone loss came at home to LSU, 76-65.
On Friday in the nightcap of day one of the Paradise Jam, Kansas State defeated George Washington, 83-71.
K STATE FEATURES BALANCED ATTACK
Coleman Hawkins was named preseason second-team All-Big 12. The 6’10” senior wing spent his first four seasons at Illinois before transferring to K-State this summer. Hawkins averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last year at Illinois. So far this year, Hawkins is averaging 7.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.
David N’Guessan is a 6’9″ forward who began his career at Virginia Tech but has been at Kansas State the past two seasons. He currently leads the team in scoring with 15.2 points to go along with 7.4 rebounds per game.
Brendan Hausen is a 6’4″ guard in his first season at Kansas State after transferring in from Villanova. He is a very good three point shooter and is currently averaging 13.2 points per game.
Dug McDaniel is a 5’11” transfer guard from Michigan where he averaged 16.3 points per game for the Wolverines last season. He’s currently averaging 10.3 points and 5.5 assists per game this year.
Max Jones is a 6’4″ guard who rounds out the double figures scoring for the Wildcats. In his first year at Kansas State after transferring from Cal State Fullerton, Jones is averaging 10.2 points per game.
