Liberty @ Louisiana State preview

LSU will try to end its losing streak at two in a row and find some momentum going into SEC play when it hosts Liberty on Sunday in its final non-conference tuneup. The Tigers dropped a home game against East Tennessee State before falling to Southern California in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic prior to Christmas.

LSU got eight days off around the holiday to figure out what went wrong in the 74-63 setback to East Tennessee State and tohe 70-68 loss to USC, and struggles at the offensive end seem to be the common denominator. The Tigers' issues on that end were marked by 15 turnovers and a 7-of-22 effort from beyond the arc against the Buccaneers before they struggled to 36.8 percent from the floor and failed to take advantage of their success on the inside against the Trojans. LSU went 10-3 during non-conference play last season before starting the SEC slate with seven consecutive victories and making a run into the Sweet 16. Liberty, which is second in the nation entering the weekend in scoring defense at an average of 51.6 points allowed, will provide a tough test for the Tigers as it enters the meeting undefeated with an SEC road win already under its belt after a 61-56 triumph at Vanderbilt on Dec. 14.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network

ABOUT LIBERTY (14-0): The Flames are enjoying the longest winning streak in school history and are coming off a win in the DC Holiday Hoops Fest, in which they knocked off Akron 80-67 in the championship game on Dec. 21. "I am really proud of our guys, that was hard-fought again, and what they have done in the first part of the season is spectacular," Liberty coach Ritchie McKay told reporters. "The credit goes to those young men and the sacrifices they have made and how well they have represented Liberty University. All of Flames Nation that follows our guys are proud of them." The Flames' balanced attack is led by guard Caleb Homesley (11.3 points) and forward Scottie James (10.3), who was named the MVP of the DC Holiday Hoops Fest.

ABOUT LSU (7-4): The Tigers boast five players averaging in double figures in scoring, led by senior guard Skylar Mays (16.2 points), who was not immune to the team's offensive struggles in the last two games while going a combined 11 of 29 from the floor. Mays provides the outside complement to a loaded interior, where Emmitt Williams (14.5 points, 7.6 rebounds), Darius Days (13.1, 8.2) and Trendon Watford (12.9, 5.9) take turns posting double-doubles. Williams had a string of three straight double-doubles come to an end when he battled foul trouble against USC and was held to four points and two boards in 17 minutes.

TIP-INS

1. Liberty G Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz is the school's all-time winningest player after notching his 86th victory with the win over Akron.

2. Tigers G Javonte Smart had a string of three straight games shooting 50 percent or better come to an end when he went 2-of-13 against USC.

3. LSU is averaging 15.1 turnovers.

PREDICTION: LSU 63, Liberty 59