Liberty vs. East Carolina Prediction and Odds: Back Flames on Neutral Floor

Liberty and East Carolina are set to to face off at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Each team has played a relatively light schedule and have faltered against stronger competition, so how should we handicap this one on a neutral floor?

Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook and find the best bet.

Liberty vs. East Carolina Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Liberty: -4 (-105)
• East Carolina: +4 (-115)

Moneyline:

• Liberty: N/A
• East Carolina: N/A

Total: 128 (Over -110/Under -110)

Liberty vs. East Carolina Prediction and Pick

Both of these teams rely on the three-point shot. The Flames enter with the third highest three-point rate and the Pirates generate more than 35% of their points from deep, but these two clubs are constructed quite differently.

ECU is one of the larger teams in the country, 25th in average height according to KenPom, while Liberty is one of the shortest, bottom 25 in that same metric. The Flames are the more efficient offense and will look to avoid going into the length of the East Carolina defense that is top 50 in opponent's two-point percentage. As I noted above, the Flames are cool staying out on the perimeter and avoiding the strength of Joe Dooley's defense.

However, ECU is suspect on the glass and doesn't turn their opponent over very much, meaning that Liberty's 11th slowest offensive possession length is going to go relatively unbothered. With this game set to become more of a slog, I'll side with the more trustworthy offense in Liberty. ECU may have the size, but I trust the Flames offensive principles to outduel their opponent from beyond the arc.

According to shot quality, Liberty has the 58th best adjusted offense and should have a record of 8-2, while ECU is 150th in adjusted offense. For what it's worth, East Carolina has been off since last Tuesday, December 7th, so there may be some rust early especially given the early start time.

PICK: Liberty -4