Liberty Flames vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Western Kentucky vs Liberty NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Lynchburg.

Western Kentucky vs Liberty Prediction

The Hilltoppers and Flames are set to face off at 7:00 ET on CBSS. The Flames will host the game at Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, VA. This Conference USA conference matchup has an over/under of 144.5 points, and Liberty is favored to win by -8.5 at home vs. Western Kentucky.

Western Kentucky vs. Liberty Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Liberty Flames
Where: Lynchburg at Liberty Arena
Date: Thursday, January 2nd
Betting Odds LIBRTY -8.5, WKENT +321 | LIBRTY -419 O/U 144.5

Hilltoppers Preview: Will the Hilltoppers Find a Way to Win on the Road?

Western Kentucky fell to 7-4 on the season after a 112-64 road loss to Michigan on Sunday. Entering the game as +21.5 point underdogs, the Hilltoppers not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

Trailing 59-31 at halftime, WKU couldn’t mount a comeback, scoring 33 points in the 2nd half while allowing 53. The game’s total points reached 176, surpassing the O/U line of 159.5.

Hilltoppers Offense Breakdown

Western Kentucky struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 36.4% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc, hitting 5 of 25 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 39.4%, and they also struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 57.9% of their attempts.

The Hilltoppers managed just 5 offensive rebounds and 5 assists as a team. Don McHenry led the scoring with 18 points, while Nimari Burnett and Vladislav Goldin each added 17 points, with Goldin hitting 2 threes and shooting 87.5% from the field.

Hilltoppers Team Defense

Western Kentucky struggled defensively, giving up 112 points on 51% shooting from the field. They allowed 33 made field goals on 64 attempts.

From beyond the arc, they gave up 19 threes on 40 attempts, a 47% shooting percentage. They also sent the opposing team to the line 35 times, where they converted 27 free throws (77%).

Flames Preview: Will the Flames Make it Happen at Home?

Liberty Flames Recent Game/Games

Liberty improved to 9-1 on the season with a 79-56 win over UT Arlington on Saturday. The Flames, who were favored by 9.5 points, covered the spread at home.

Liberty took control early, leading 39-22 at halftime. They scored 40 points in the 2nd half while allowing 34. The game’s total points (135) fell under the 142.5-point line.

Flames Offense Breakdown

Liberty's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 79 points with a field goal percentage of 52.9%. They were particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting 15 of 32 threes for a 46.9% shooting percentage, contributing to an effective field goal percentage of 66.7%.

Kaden Metheny led the way with 25 points, knocking down 7 of 13 threes, while also dishing out 5 assists. The Flames had 24 assists as a team, with Taelon Peter adding 18 points in just 20 minutes, shooting 4 of 8 from deep.

Flames Team Defense

Even though Liberty gave up 56 points, they allowed the opposition to shoot 52% from the field, with 27 made baskets on 51 attempts. Inside the arc, the Flames' defense saw the other team connect on 63% of their two-point shots, going 12/19.

From three-point range, Liberty's defense allowed 15 threes on 32 attempts, a 46% shooting performance. The opposition also went to the free-throw line 14 times, making 10 of those for 71%. Liberty limited second-chance opportunities, giving up just 4 offensive rebounds.

Hilltoppers vs Flames Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

When looking at their past three road matchups, Western Kentucky has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 70 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
Across their last five home contests, Liberty has been good against the spread posting a mark of 3-2. Their overall mark in these games was 3-2, while averaging 66 points per game.
Spanning across their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Hilltoppers have gone 6-4 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 2-8.
Liberty has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games.