Liberty Flames vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Prediction, 1/8/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Liberty Flames vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

Location: Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, LA

TV: CBSSN

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-6) will go up against the Liberty Flames (11-3) at Thomas Assembly Center on Thursday.

The Liberty Flames played Jacksonville State and walked away with a win by a score of 78-69 in their last game. In reference to fouls, the Flames ended up with 16 and Jacksonville State totaled 20 fouls. They knocked down 6 out of their 19 attempts from beyond the arc. Jacksonville State finished the game shooting 89.5% from the charity stripe by making 17 of their 19 tries. On top of that, Jacksonville State grabbed 30 rebounds (10 offensive, 20 defensive), but didn't record a block for the team. Jacksonville State doled out 10 dimes and had 4 steals for this game. When it comes to defending, Liberty allowed the other team to go 40.4% from the floor on 23 out of 57 shooting. They also dished out 14 dimes in this contest while creating 8 turnovers and earning 3 steals. Pertaining to rebounding, they earned 27 with 6 of them being of the offensive variety. From the charity stripe, the Flames made 22 of their 28 attempts for a percentage of 78.6%. Liberty ended the contest with a 44.4% FG percentage (24 of 54) and buried 8 out of their 22 3-point shots.

Kaden Metheny is someone who was a contributor in this game. He went 53.8% from the field and earned 1 assist. He was on the hardwood for 38 minutes and grabbed 3 boards. He finished with 22 points on 7 of 13 shooting.

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Liberty steps onto the hardwood with a record of 11-3 on the year. They turn it over 9.0 times per game and as a team they commit 14.8 fouls every game. As a team, Liberty is pulling down 31.7 boards per game and has racked up 252 assists on the year, which ranks 71st in college in terms of passing the rock. The Flames are shooting 40.4% on 3-point shots (157 of 389) and 66.8% from the charity stripe. They average 81.3 points per outing (104th in the nation) on 52.3% from the floor.

On the defensive end of the court, the Flames are forcing 11.6 turnovers per game while drawing 15.9 fouls. They are giving up 33.0% on 3-pointers and they are ranked 64th in college in opponents points per game (68.1). The Flames are giving up an opponent shooting percentage of 42.2% (347 of 823) and they surrender 34.3 boards per game as a squad. They currently rank 38th in Division 1 in allowing assists to the opposition with 165 conceded so far this year.

When they last stepped on the court, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs went home defeated by a final of 66-61 when they played Western Kentucky. When it comes to team rebounding, Louisiana Tech permitted Western Kentucky to grab 36 in total (8 offensive). They went 33.3% from behind the 3-point line by going 12 of 36 and finished the contest at 20 out of 25 from the free throw line (80.0%). The Bulldogs allowed Western Kentucky to convert 17 out of their 53 attempts from the floor which had them shooting 32.1% in the matchup. When the final whistle blew, the Bulldogs finished 24 for 63 from the field which had them shooting 38.1%. In reference to shots from downtown, Louisiana Tech knocked down 4 of their 20 tries (20.0%). They were able to make 9 of them for a clip of 47.4%. Western Kentucky was called for 17 personal fouls for the matchup which took the Bulldogs to the charity stripe for 19 shots. They turned the ball over 9 times, while recording 6 steals for this game. The Bulldogs earned 26 defensive boards and 14 offensive rebounds for a total of 40 in the game.

AJ Bates was important for the Bulldogs in this contest. He totaled 13 points in his 40 minutes on the hardwood and added 3 dimes in this matchup. He knocked down 4 of 11 for this game for a field goal percentage of 36.4%, and added 3 rebounds.

Louisiana Tech has a record of 8-6 for the year. As an offense, the Bulldogs are hitting on 44.8% from the field, which has them ranked 221st in D-1. Louisiana Tech has scored 973 pts for the year (69.5 per game) and they grab 41.4 boards per game. Their rate of assisting teammates is at 12.8 times per contest (293rd in college hoops) and they are losing possession via turnover 12.3 times per game. The Bulldogs have committed 15.6 fouls per contest and they hit 62.5% from the charity stripe.

The Louisiana Tech defense surrenders 28.2% on shots from beyond the perimeter (111 of 394) and their opponents are making 67.5% of their shots from the charity stripe. They allow 11.3 dimes and 32.5 boards every game, which ranks them 45th and 82nd in those defensive categories. The Bulldogs are ranked 2nd in college in points given up per game with 59.1. They are forcing their opponents into 12.6 turnovers per game and have allowed teams to shoot 36.4% from the field (3rd in college hoops).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Liberty

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