Liberty (6-2) looks to bounce back from a tough trip to Boca Raton, Florida. The Flames will take on Mississippi Valley State (0-8) in Lynchburg, Virginia on Tuesday night.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
How to Watch
7:00 p.m. ET | Tuesday, December 5
Lynchburg, VA | Liberty Arena
TV: ESPN+
Liberty vs MVSU Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -28
Projected score: Liberty 80, Mississippi Valley State 52
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Sophomore Guard | 5’9″, 170
10. ppg, 3.6 apg, 35.7% 3-point
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
12.5 ppg, 3.1 apg, 3.4 rpg
#23 Joseph Venzant
Junior Guard | 6’3″, 200
5.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg
#22 Kyle Rode
R-Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
15.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.8 apg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Sophomore Forward | 6’7″, 215
9.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.6 apg
Liberty vs MVSU History
Liberty is 3-0 all-time against Mississippi Valley State. Most recently, the Flames defeated the Delta Devils, 70-55, during the 2016-17 season.
Liberty vs MVSU Storylines
FLAMES LOOKING TO REBOUND
Liberty went 0-2 in their trip to Boca Raton, Florida, having to face two very strong teams on back-to-back nights. The loss to FAU is not a big surprise, that is a Final Four caliber team who was playing on their home floor. Then, the Flames had to play on 24-hour rest the next night against a rested College of Charleston team. The Cougars have struggled some early in the season, but they seem to have gotten back on track and look to compete for another conference championship and trip back to the Big Dance like they did last season.
The Flames will want to flush those two performances and get the losing taste out of their mouths. Playing at home will certainly help that as Liberty looks to get back in the win column.
MVSU ON LONG ROAD TRIP
The Delta Devils have yet to play a game on their home court. Their first 8 games have all been played on the road, facing teams like LSU, Oklahoma, UConn, and TCU. That’s a tough start to the season for anybody, much less a team hoping to compete in the SWAC.
That’s just the way things are for some programs playing low major DI basketball. They need these games to help fund not just their basketball team but many to fund their entire athletic department.
Not surprisingly, MVSU is currently 0-8 on the season. They’ve still got four more road games on the docket following their trip to Lynchburg. The Delta Devils still must play Gonzaga and Baylor before conference play begins.
LIBERTY WANTS TO GET BACK IN A GROOVE
A couple of losses can throw a team out of it’s groove, off it’s rhythm. Liberty will want to fix that Tuesday night against Mississippi Valley State. The Flames still have some tests in the non-conference that lie ahead, beginning Saturday against Grand Canyon. This game is about the team trying to get back to the way it was playing and to that confidence level it had prior to the trip to Florida.
