K-State Wildcats vs. Liberty Flames: Basketball game time, TV, odds and prediction
The Kansas State men’s basketball team will play Liberty in the semifinal round of the Paradise Jam on Sunday.
Here’s everything you need to know before tipoff, including a score prediction:
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: UVI Sports & Fitness Center in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Stream: ESPN+
Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita
Betting line: K-State by 3.5
Over/Under: 134.5.
STARTING LINEUPS
P | No. | Liberty | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 8 | Owen Aquino | 6-8 | Jr. | 10.7 |
F | 25 | Zach Cleveland | 6-7 | Jr. | 12.0 |
G | 32 | Jayvon Maughmer | 6-6 | Sr. | 8.2 |
G | 0 | Colin Porter | 5-10 | Jr. | 6.2 |
G | 3 | Kaden Metheny | 5-11 | Sr. | 15.4 |
P | No. | Kansas State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 33 | Coleman Hawkins | 6-10 | Sr. | 7.2 |
F | 1 | David N’Guessan | 6-9 | Sr. | 15.2 |
G | 2 | Max Jones | 6-4 | Sr. | 10.2 |
G | 11 | Brendan Hausen | 6-4 | Jr. | 13.2 |
G | 3 | CJ Jones | 6-5 | Jr. | 7.2 |
About Liberty (5-1)
The Flames won their first game at the Paradise Jam 89-69 against Louisiana. They are off to a 5-1 start on the season. Their only loss came on a neutral floor against Florida Atlantic. Liberty is expected to be one of the best teams in Conference-USA this year. Guard Kaden Matheny leads the team in scoring.
About Kansas State (4-1)
The Wildcats played their best game of the season during the opening round of the Paradise Jam when they beat George Washington 83-71. Dug McDaniel came off the bench in that game and gave K-State a lift at point guard. It will be interesting to see if Jerome Tang continues to use him as a reserve or inserts him into the starting lineup. David N’Guessan has been K-State’s most consistent scorer early on this season.
K-State game prediction
This could be a good test for the Wildcats.
On paper, Liberty is the best team that K-State has faced since LSU.
How much has Jerome Tang’s team grown since it suffered a home loss against the Tigers? We will soon find out.
College basketball statistician Bart Torvik ranks Liberty within the top 100 of his national ratings database at No. 98.
The Flames could give the Wildcats issues on the perimeter. Liberty is shooting 38.8% from 3-point range and K-State is allowing teams to shoot 36.8% from beyond the arc. But the Flames are even better around the basket, as they are making 62.7% of their shots from within the arc.
On the flip side, K-State could take advantage of a Liberty defense that doesn’t do anything at an elite level.
If this game is close in the final moments, K-State will have an advantage because Liberty struggles to grab offensive rebounds and shoot free throws.
The Wildcats are the more athletic team and the deeper team. That should help them win a tournament setting.
K-State 72, Liberty 66
Last game prediction: K-State 77, George Washington 71
Actual score: K-State 83, George Washington 71
Season record: 4-1
Season record ATS: 2-3
Season record O/U: 3-2.