The Liberty Flames will play the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in the Semifinals of the ASUN Tournament on Thursday night at Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Liberty Preview
The Liberty Flames are 25-7 (15-3) this season after they defeated Bellarmine by a score of 76-56 in their last game. Liberty shot 56% from the field and made 13 three pointers in the win. The Liberty Flames are averaging 75.3 points per game, 60.1 points against per game, 33.8 rebounds per game, and 16.6 assists per game. Darius McGhee has led the Flames this season with 22.5 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, and 2.9 assists per game. Liberty is shooting 48% from the field, 73.8% on free throws, and 37.7% on three pointers this year.
Eastern Kentucky Preview
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels are 20-12 (12-6) this season after they defeated North Alabama by a score of 73-48 in their last game. Eastern Kentucky shot 41.3% from the field and was +31 in rebounding margin in the win. The Eastern Kentucky Colonels are averaging 77.5 points per game, 71.9 points against per game, 40.5 rebounds per game, and 15.4 assists per game. Devontae Blanton has led the Colonels this season with 16.4 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, and 2.9 assists per game. Eastern Kentucky is shooting 43.3% from the field, 66.2% on free throws, and 33.7% on three pointers this year.
Trends
Eastern Kentucky is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games and 8-17 ATS in their last 25 road games. The under is 4-1 in Eastern Kentucky’s last 5 games. Liberty is 15-2 ATS in their last 17 home games and 17-8 ATS in their last 25 games. The over is 5-1 in Liberty’s last 6 games. The underdog is 4-0 ATS in these two teams last 4 head to head meetings.
Pick
Liberty comes into this game on a four game winning streak and will be at home for this matchup. Liberty has scored 76, 73, 85, 79, and 81 points in their last five games and will be facing a defense that is allowing 71.9 points against per game. Both teams are high scoring, but Liberty is the better shooting team. I like Liberty on their home floor in this one.