Liberty Flames vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Matchup Analysis
This NCAAB matchup features Liberty Flames (23-5 (13-1)) traveling to take on Jacksonville State Gamecocks (14-14 (10-6)) at Pete Mathews Coliseum, Jacksonville, AL. The Liberty hold a clear statistical edge this season, outperforming the Jax State by 3.8 points per game in scoring margin. That differential will be a key factor in this matchup.
On offense, Jax State averages 73.0 points per game, which exceeds what the Liberty defense typically allows (69.6 PPG). That mismatch could give the home side opportunities to exploit. The Liberty offense puts up 78.6 PPG and faces a Jax State defense allowing 67.9 PPG. The visitors have the offensive firepower to stay in this one.
Home court advantage is worth approximately 3.5 points in NCAAB, and Jax State will look to leverage their home crowd. Our model sees this as essentially a coin-flip game, projecting just a 0.6-point margin. Expect a tight finish. The 68% confidence interval ranges from Jax State winning by 13 to losing by 12.
The market has this game at +3.5, but our model sees value on Jax State with a 4.1-point edge. Our line: Jax State -0.6. Combined with the total projection of 152 versus the market line of 140.5, there are opportunities to find value on both sides of this matchup.
Team Comparison
LIB Liberty
Stat
JXST Jax State
23-5 (13-1)
Record
14-14 (10-6)
Last 10
78.6
PPG
73.0
69.6
Opp PPG
67.9
Current Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIB Liberty Flames | -258 | -3.5 | O 140.5 |
| JXST Jacksonville State Gamecocks | +258 | +3.5 | U 140.5 |
Source: Draft Kings Updated: Feb 28, 5:05 AM
Opening line: +3.5 / O/U 140.5
Model Projection
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIB Liberty Flames | +113 | +0.6 | O 151.6 |
| JXST Jacksonville State Gamecocks | -113 | -0.6 | U 151.6 |
Source: Model Updated: Feb 28, 5:44 AM
Our Picks
Spread
Jax State (opened at +3.5)
54% Confidence
Play to -1.3
Total
Over (opened at 140.5)
72% Confidence
Play to 150.9
Recent Trends
Jax State enters at 14-14 (10-6), hovering around the .500 mark. They've shown flashes of strong play but haven't been able to sustain consistency. At home, they'll look to put together a complete performance and build momentum.
Liberty comes in with an impressive 23-5 (13-1) record. They've been among the best teams in their conference and are playing with the confidence of a squad that expects to win. Road games can be tricky, but this team has the poise to handle hostile environments.
When these teams meet, the home team typically has the edge given the crowd advantage and familiarity factor. The team that controls tempo and limits turnovers will likely dictate the outcome of this matchup.
Matchup Edges
Jax State
Advantages
- Home court advantage and crowd support
- Elite defense allowing just 67.9 PPG
- Familiarity with home venue and routines
Disadvantages
- Potential for inconsistency in key moments
Liberty
Advantages
- Strong 23-5 (13-1) overall record this season
- Potent offense averaging 78.6 PPG
- Road underdog motivation — play with less pressure
Disadvantages
- Playing on the road without home crowd support
- Road fatigue and travel can impact energy levels