The Liberty Flames will travel to Boca Raton, Florida to face the 13^th-ranked Florida Atlantic Owls at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 PM ET on Thursday evening and the game will air on ESPNU.

Liberty enters this game undefeated with a record of 6-0 and won the 2023 Myrtle Beach Invitational by defeating the Furman Paladins in the 1^st round by a score of 88-74, the Wichita State Shockers in the Semifinals by a score of 83-66, and the Vermont Catamounts in the Championship game by a score of 71-61. 

Liberty’s early season success can be attributed to their defensive play as they are allowing 60.83 points per game which ranks 20^th in college basketball and also feature one of the best scoring offenses this season as they are averaging 85.83 points per game. Kyle Rode has been one of their best players this season as he leads the team in scoring and steals with an average of 15.8 points and 1.3 steals per game. The Liberty Flames will look to remain perfect this season when they travel to face the Florida Atlantic Owls on Thursday evening.

The Florida Atlantic Owls enter this game ranked 13^th in the AP Poll and 17^th in the Coaches Poll with a record of 5-1. The Owls are on a three-game winning streak which includes winning the 2023 ESPN Events Invitational by defeating the Butler Bulldogs by a score of 91-86 in the 1^st round, the Texas A&M Aggies in the Semifinals by a score of 96-89, and the Virginia Tech Hokies in the championship game by a score of 84-50. 

The early season success for the Owls can be attributed to their offense as they enter this game averaging 83 points per game while they have also played above-average defensively as they are allowing an average of 65 points per game. Johnell Davis and Vladislav have played pivotal roles in the success the Owls have had this season as they have combined for 28.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game. The Florida Atlantic Owls will be going for their 4^th win in a row when they host the Liberty Flames.

BookMaker has the Florida Atlantic Owls listed as 7.5-point favorites at home against the Liberty Flames on Thursday evening. The teams have split the two games all-time in the series with the most recent game occurring during the 2002-03 college basketball season and resulting in a 84–79 win for the Liberty Flames at home. The Liberty Flames are 5-0 ATS overall this season while the Florida Atlantic Owls are 4-2 ATS overall, 1-1 ATS at home, and 3-2 ATS as a favorite on the year.

Both teams have had great starts to the season as the Liberty Flames won the Myrtle Beach Invitational while Florida Atlantic won the ESPN Events Invitational. However, Liberty has been the better team this season at covering the spread as they enter this game with a record of 5-0 ATS overall while the Owls are 4-2 ATS overall and 1-1 ATS at home which is why I am buying the .5 point and taking the points with the Liberty Flames when they travel to face the Florida Atlantic Owls.