The Wichita State Shockers and the Liberty Flames meet in college basketball action from the HTC Center on Friday night.
Wichita State Improves to 4-0
The Wichita State Shockers come into this one looking to build on their 4-0 start after an 86-77 win over Coastal Carolina last time out. Colby Rogers leads the Shockers in scoring with 15.8 PPG along with 3.8 RPG and 2.8 APG while Xavier Bell has 15.3 PPG with a team-high 4 APG to lead the Shockers in the assist department this season. Kenny Pohto has 12.3 PPG with a share of the team lead with 8.8 RPG while Dalen Ridgnal has 10.3 PPG with 8 RPG this season. Isaac Abidde has 10 PPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Wichita State up to this point in the year. Quincy Ballard’s also added a team-high 8.8 RPG as well for the Shockers this season. As a team, Wichita State is averaging 82 PPG on 47.5% shooting from the field, 35.4% from three and 68% from the foul line this season.
Liberty Improves To 3-0
The Liberty Flames come into this one looking to build on their 88-74 win over Furman in their last matchup to improve to 3-0 on the year. Kyle Rode leads the Flames in scoring with 17 PPG along with 3.3 RPG while Brody Peebles has 16.3 PPG with 4 RPG as the only other double-digit scorer for Liberty up to this point in the year. Kaden Metheny and Zach Cleveland each have 9.7 PPG while Colin Porter has 8 PPG and a team-high 5 APG to lead Liberty in the assist department this season. Joseph Venzant also has a team-high 7 RPG to lead Liberty on the glass up to this point in the year. As a team, Liberty is averaging 87.3 PPG on 54.2% shooting from the field, 43.4% from three and 65.4% from the foul line this season.
Chris’ Pick
I’m rocking with Wichita State here. I get it, the Flames are a solid team, but I just like the scoring depth and defensive prowess that Wichita State is bringing to the table and while Liberty’s had a lot more success from a statistical standpoint, I think Wichita State can do enough to keep this one close and potentially give themselves a chance to win it late. All in all this should be an awesome game, but I’m siding with Wichita State and the points here.
