Florida International (7-12) vs Liberty (15-4)
January 25, 2025 at 06:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Florida International +7.5 — Over/Under: 137.5
The Liberty Flames and FIU Golden Panthers meet Saturday in college basketball action at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Here’s a Liberty vs FIU Prediction. This article will include a Liberty vs FIU Pick.
Liberty Flames Betting Preview
The Liberty Flames beat New Mexico State, lost to UTEP, and they play Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State, and LA Tech next. The Liberty Flames are averaging 78.4 points on 49.2 percent shooting and allowing 61.6 points on 39.5 percent shooting. Kaden Metheny is averaging 13.4 points and 2.6 rebounds, while Taelon Peter is averaging 11.8 points and 3.4 rebounds. Zach Cleveland is the third double-digit scorer and Isaiah Ihnen is grabbing 4.3 rebounds. The Liberty Flames are shooting 37.6 percent from beyond the arc and 65.3 percent from the free throw line. The Liberty Flames are allowing 29.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.5 rebounds per game.
FIU Golden Panthers Betting Preview
The FIU Golden Panthers lost to New Mexico State and UTEP, and they play Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, and Sam Houston next. The FIU Golden Panthers are averaging 72.8 points on 44.7 percent shooting and allowing 71.3 points on 43.6 percent shooting. Jayden Brewer is averaging 13.8 points and 5 rebounds, while Jonathan Aybar is averaging 10.6 points and 4.8 rebounds. Vianney Salatchoum is the third double-digit scorer and Asim Jones is grabbing 2.6 rebounds. The FIU Golden Panthers are shooting 30 percent from beyond the arc and 71.5 percent from the free throw line. The FIU Golden Panthers are allowing 32.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 1.3 rebounds per game.
Why the Florida International Panthers will win
- Florida International has won six of its last seven home games following a home loss.
- Liberty has lost eight of its last 10 road games against Conference opponents.
Why the Liberty Flames will win
- Florida International has lost each of its last four games against the Conference USA.
- Liberty has won 12 of its last 15 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Florida International has lost the first half in each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- Florida International ranks T34th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (4.9).
- Liberty ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (61.5).
- Liberty ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (13.6).
Liberty vs FIU Injury Report
FIU will continue to be without Okechukwu Okeke due to an undisclosed issue. Liberty will continue to be without Isaiah Ihnen due to an undisclosed issue.
Liberty vs FIU Prediction
The Liberty Flames have cooled off these last couple of weeks, but they’re still the better team, have three road wins, and they’re 11-5 ATS on the season. The FIU Golden Panthers have been a subpar team all year that struggles defensively and has lost five games at home. Liberty is a legit contender in the C-USA with an offense that’s top-20 in field goal percentage and a defense that’s eighth in scoring defense. We just don’t see that above-average play from FIU. The Liberty Flames can reach levels Florida International can’t and there’s not much of a home-court advantage in Miami. I’ll lay the points with Liberty.