Liberty Flames vs Sam Houston Bearkats NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/9/25
The Flames and Bearkats are set to face off at 9:00 ET on CBSS. The Bearkats will host the game at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, TX. Liberty is favored by -3.5 in this Conference USA conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 143.5 points.
LIBERTY FLAMES VS SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Sam Houston Bearkats +3.5
This game will be played at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum at 9:00 ET on Thursday, January 9th.
WHY BET THE SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-72 in favor of the Bearkats.
- Not only will Sam Houston pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +3.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 143.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.
Will the Flames Defense Show Up in Huntsville?
Liberty Flames Recent Game/Games
Liberty improved to 10-2 on the season with a 73-63 win over Middle Tennessee on Saturday. Playing at home, the Flames entered the game as -7.5 favorites and covered the spread with the victory. The total points for the game ended at 136, just under the O/U line of 139.5.
Liberty took control early, leading 42-25 at halftime. However, they allowed 38 points in the 2nd half while scoring 31, making the game closer than the 1st half suggested.
In their last game, the Liberty Flames put up 73 points, shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 51.6%, and they connected on 70% of their free throws, going 7-for-10. The Flames also grabbed 10 offensive rebounds and dished out 16 assists.
Kaden Metheny led the way with 19 points, shooting 53.3% overall and 3-for-8 from deep. Colin Porter and Camryn Weston each added 16 points, with Porter hitting 3-of-4 from three-point range. Essam Mostafa contributed 14 points and pulled down 16 rebounds, while Justin Bufford chipped in 13 points, connecting on 3-of-7 from three.
Liberty’s defense gave up 63 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 43% from the field on 28 of 64 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 47% shooting, as the other team went 18 for 38 on two-point tries.
From three-point range, Liberty’s defense saw the opposition hit 10 of 26 shots, good for 38%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 10 times, where they converted 7 attempts for 70%. Liberty allowed 10 offensive rebounds in the game.
Will Sam Houston Pull Through as the Underdog Home Team?
Sam Houston Bearkats Recent Game/Games
The Bearkats dropped to 4-8 on the season after an 81-72 loss to UTEP on Saturday. Playing as +5.5 point underdogs on the road, Sam Houston not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.
After trailing 39-29 at halftime, the Bearkats put up 43 points in the 2nd half but allowed 42, unable to make up the deficit. The game’s total points of 153 exceeded the over/under line of 146.5.
Sam Houston’s offense put up 72 points in their last game, shooting 44.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 50%. They hit 52.8% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 30% of their threes (6/20). At the free-throw line, they were nearly perfect, hitting 16 of 18 for an 88.9% success rate.
Marcus Boykin and Devon Barnes both shot 60% from the field, with Barnes knocking down 4 of 7 threes (57.1%). Boykin finished with 18 points, while Barnes added 17. Corey Camper Jr. and Lamar Wilkerson each contributed 16 points, though Wilkerson struggled from three, hitting just 1 of 7 attempts. David Terrell Jr. dished out 6 assists, and Cameron Huefner grabbed 8 rebounds.
Sam Houston’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 81 points on 54% shooting from the field. They allowed their opponent to hit 69% of their two-point attempts, going 20/29.
From beyond the arc, Sam Houston’s opponent shot 36%, making 8 of 22 threes. The Bearkats also sent them to the free-throw line 23 times, where they converted 17 for 73%.