Non-conference play has concluded and Liberty (11-4) now turns its attention to beginning Conference USA play as the Flames take on Western Kentucky (11-3) in their CUSA opener.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
How to Watch
6:00 p.m. ET | Saturday, January 6
Bowling Green, KY | E.A. Diddle Arena
TV: CBSSN
Liberty vs Western Kentucky Odds (KenPom)
Spread: Liberty -4
Projected score: Liberty 75, Western Kentucky 71
Liberty Projected Starters
#0 Colin Porter
Sophomore Guard | 5’9″, 170
8.7 ppg, 3.7 apg
#3 Kaden Metheny
R-Junior Guard | 5’10”, 170
11.9 ppg, 2.9 apg, 3.3 rpg
#23 Joseph Venzant
Junior Guard | 6’3″, 200
6.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg
#22 Kyle Rode
R-Senior Forward | 6’7″, 220
12.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.7 apg
#25 Zach Cleveland
Sophomore Forward | 6’7″, 215
10.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.8 apg
Liberty vs Western Kentucky History
This will be the first ever meeting between the new conference rivals.
Liberty vs Western Kentucky Storylines
FLAMES TO OPEN CUSA PLAY
After a very successful 5-year run in the ASUN, Liberty now enters Conference USA and looks poised to compete for another conference title despite the new league.
It will certainly be a step up in competition for the Flames. CUSA is currently ranked as the No. 14 league in the country, according to KenPom, compared to the ASUN which ranked No. 18 last year. Most teams should be competitive within league play and prove to be tough outs on any given night.
As a reminder, the CUSA Tournament is played on a neutral site this March in Huntsville, Alabama. Teams will begin now jockeying for position in the postseason tournament as the league is all but for sure going to be a one-bid league this season.
TOPS LED BY FIRST YEAR HEAD COACH STEVE LUTZ
After two years as head coach at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Steve Lutz has taken over the reigns as head coach of Western Kentucky. Lutz was 47-23 while advancing to the NCAA Tournament in both of his seasons at TA&M-CC. Now, he’s hoping to lead WKU back to some success.
The Toppers are one of the more storied programs in the CUSA, but it has been several lean years in Bowling Green. WKU hasn’t made it to the Big Dance since 2013 when their former head coach (who is now Jacksonville State’s head coach) Ray Harper guided them for two straight seasons to the NCAA Tournament. Lutz will be hoping to restore some of that magic.
WKU RIDING 7 GAME WIN STREAK
The Hilltoppers began the season at 4-3 with losses to Wichita State, Canisius, and UNC Asheville. Since that time, Lutz and WKU have been rolling, winning seven straight. Western Kentucky hasn’t lost since November and own several wins during that span including over Eastern Kentucky, Buffalo, and Wright State.
Liberty will certainly be a big test for the Toppers, as the Flames enter the contest ranked in the top 100 in KenPom rankings, and will be the first top 100 KenPom team WKU has faced this season.
