Let’s be honest. This is the game both coaches wanted. There’s certainly a little lingering distaste on both sides after last week’s proceedings in Lynchburg.

Some notes:

* Jesse Sanders will start tonight. Liberty assistant coach Kyle Getter tells me he’s moving just fine on the ankle and didn’t experience a lot of pain Wednesday, the day after the Gardner-Webb game. He’s been getting continual treatment and should be a factor tonight.

* Both teams are as healthy as possible for the third meeting. VMI’s Travis Holmes missed the first meeting. Liberty’s Sanders missed the second.

* VMI’s team hypnotist was on the floor shagging rebounds during the pre-game layup line.

* A half hour before tip, the joint is mostly empty. A group of cadets just mugged for ESPNU’s cameras.

* I’m curious to see what kind of defensive changes both teams make tonight. I doubt VMI comes out in the “tandem and two” again. Liberty has learned to adapt to that particular defense, so I’m sure Duggar Baucom has a new wrinkle for the Flames to deal with. Liberty coach Ritchie McKay has been very good this season at adapting and making changes after a loss. The Flames weren’t swept by anyone in the Big South.

* The Keydets trapped some in the meeting last week but for the most part abandoned the full-court press. If VMI goes back to that, I could see Tyler Baker having a big game.

* This is the third straight year Liberty and VMI have met in the tournament. VMI won in 2007, Liberty in 2008.

* Roger Ayers and Mike Eades are among the officials tonight.

* Starting lineups—Liberty—James Spencer, Anthony Smith, Kyle Ohman, Jesse Sanders, Seth Curry; VMI—Willie Bell, Chavis Holmes, Austin Kenon, Ron Burks, Travis Holmes.

UPDATE: Liberty 18, VMI 16—7:53 left in 1st.

* Jesse Sanders tweaked his ankle at some point. He tried to come back on and play through it, but he was clearly hobbled. He just went back to the locker room to get checked out.

That’s it for now. Will be back at halftime with some impressions.

HALFTIME: Liberty 32, VMI 27

* Liberty has completely controlled the pace in the first half. VMI has gotten out in transition exactly twice. At times, this has hurt Liberty, because they’ve run the shot clock down to 10 a few times and were left with only one shot opportunity. A few times it’s worked out, a few times it hasn’t.

* Chavis and Travis Holmes with two fouls each. Johnny Stephene and Kyle Ohman with two each. James Spencer with three.

* VMI fans outnumbering Liberty fans 2 to 1. VMI band outnumbering Liberty’s band 1 to 0.

* How the Flames are winning is beyond me. Liberty shooting 2 for 10 from 3, Kyle Ohman has attempted just one 3. Jesse Sanders hardly playing. Spencer and Stephene in foul trouble. Crazy.

* VMI is shooting 3 of 16 from 3. Duggar Baucom must feel pretty good about where his team is right now. Liberty is shooting 50 percent. VMI shooting 29. And the Keydets are only down five.

* Sanders didn’t return to the bench at halftime.

* Sanders just came back, out of uniform, an air cast on his right ankle.