Liberty vs Western Kentucky Prediction 1-2-25 College Basketball Picks
Western Kentucky (9-4) vs. Liberty (12-1)
January 2, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Liberty -8.5; Over/Under: +144
(Get latest betting odds)
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Liberty Flames meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Liberty Arena. Here’s a Liberty vs Western Kentucky Prediction. This article will include a Liberty vs Western Kentucky Pick.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers beat Seattle, lost to Michigan, and they play FIU, Jacksonville State, and Kennesaw State next. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are averaging 80.7 points on 44.3 percent shooting and allowing 76.2 points on 40.1 percent shooting. Don McHenry is averaging 18.5 points and 3 rebounds, while Babacar Faye is averaging 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. Julius Thedford is the third double-digit scorer, and Khristian Lander is dishing 1.9 assists. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are shooting 35.9 percent from beyond the arc and 72.3 percent from the free throw line. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are allowing 31.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.3 rebounds per game.
Liberty Flames Betting Preview
The Liberty Flames beat North Carolina A&T and UT Arlington, and they play MTSU, Sam Houston, and La Tech next. The Liberty Flames are averaging 81.5 points on 51.3 percent shooting and allowing 58.2 points on 38.5 percent shooting. Kaden Metheny is averaging 14.2 points and 2.5 rebounds, while Zach Cleveland is averaging 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds. Isaiah Ihnen is the third double-digit scorer and Taelon Peter is grabbing 2.7 rebounds. The Liberty Flames are shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc and 66.3 percent from the free throw line. The Liberty Flames are allowing 28.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.5 rebounds per game.
Liberty vs Western Kentucky Injury Report
Neither Liberty nor Western Kentucky has any players on its injury report.
Why the Liberty Flames will win
- Liberty has won each of its last nine games.
- Western Kentucky has lost five of its last six road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Liberty has won the first half in each of its last seven games at Liberty Arena (Lynchburg) against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Western Kentucky’s last 11 night games against the Conference USA has produced a total of 146+ points.
- Each of Liberty’s last four night games against Conference opponents at Liberty Arena (Lynchburg) have produced a total of 141 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Liberty ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for effective field goal percentage this season (61.0%).
- Liberty ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (62.5%).
- Western Kentucky ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for pace this season (75.4).
- Western Kentucky ranks 356th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (41.2).
Liberty vs Western Kentucky Prediction
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have the offense to give Liberty a scare, but the pace they play at gives above-average teams too many good looks. The Liberty Flames are unbeaten at home and with the way they shoot, they should be drooling about this matchup with WKU. Liberty is also more trustworthy on defense. The Liberty Flames are also 8-2 ATS on the season. Liberty is one of the best cover teams in the country, as only 5 teams have a better cover percentage of 80 percent. I’ll lay the points with the Liberty Flames at home on Thursday.
