Liberty vs Sam Houston State Prediction 1/9/25 College Basketball Picks

The Liberty Flames are visiting the Sam Houston Bearkats on Thursday, January 9th at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Liberty Flames vs Sam Houston Bearkats Prediction. We will examine:

The Sam Houston Bearkats’ recent form and player performance

The Liberty Flames’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Sam Houston Bearkats

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Liberty Flames

Recent betting trends in games played between Liberty Flamesand Sam Houston Bearkats

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Liberty Flames vs Sam Houston Bearkats game

Sam Houston Bearkats Preview

The Sam Houston Bearkats have a 7-8 record this season and are sitting in the 9th place of the USA. Sam Houston is coming off a 72-81 loss to UTEP. The Bearkats are 3-9 against the spread, and 9-3 in over/under while having a 4-0 home record.

Offensively, Sam Houston is averaging 79.9 points per game, which ranks 80th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 78.2 points per game (326th). The Bearkats shoot 46.8% from the field (103rd) and 39% from beyond the arc, which is the 18th-best in the nation. The Bearkats shoot 70% from the free throw line (231st), and they are grabbing 35.7 rebounds per game (213th) while committing 12.5 turnovers per game (137th).

Lamar Wilkerson leads Sam Houston in scoring this season, with an average of 18.8 points and 3.4 rebounds, while Cameron Huefner adds 14.6 points and 5.1 rebounds. Sam Houston will take on FIU after this game.

Liberty Flames Preview

The Liberty Flames have a 13-2 record this season and are sitting in the 5th place in the USA. Liberty is coming off a 73-63 win over Middle Tennessee. The Flames are 9-3 against the spread, and 5-7 in over/under while having a 2-0 road record. 

Offensively, Liberty is averaging 80.1 points per game, which ranks 75th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 59.3 points per game, which is the 7th-best in the nation. The Flames shoot 50.2% from the field, which is the 12th-best nationally, and 38.4% from beyond the arc (29th). The Flames shoot 65.4% from the free-throw line (329th) and are grabbing 36.2 rebounds per game (192nd).

Kaden Metheny leads Liberty in scoring this season, with an average of 14.7 points, while Owen Aguino adds 10 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. 

Why the Sam Houston State Bearkats will win

• Sam Houston State has won each of its last 13 games at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
• Liberty has lost seven of its last eight road games against the Conference USA.
• Sam Houston State has won the first half in each of its last 15 night games at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

Why the Liberty Flames will win

• Liberty has won 10 of its last 11 games.
• Sam Houston State has lost each of its last three games against the Conference USA.
• Liberty has won the first half in each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Liberty’s last six night games against Conference opponents has produced a total of 141 or fewer points.
• Seven of Sam Houston State’s last eight games have produced a total of 146+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Sam Houston State ranks 18th among Division 1 teams for a three-point percentage this season (39.0%).
• Liberty ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for effective field goal percentage this season (59.5%).
• Liberty ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (8.7).

Liberty Flames vs Sam Houston Bearkats Prediction

Both teams are tied 2-2 wins in their previous four meetings and are 2-2 against the spread. Their last two meetings have gone over the total, and in their most recent meeting last season, Sam Houston won 83-73 at home, covering the spread, as the game went over the total. In this Liberty Flames vs Sam Houston Bearkats Prediction, Liberty is coming as -3.5 road favorites. Liberty is better both offensively, scoring 0.2 points more than Sam Houston, and defensively, allowing 18.9 points less. The Flames are winning by an average of 20.8 points this season, while the Bearkats are winning by an average of 1.7 points. Liberty is the better team in this matchup, and Sam Houston has been terrible in covering the spread, as they are 1-7 against the spread in their last 8 games. Take the Liberty Flames and lay the points on the road.