The No. 7 West Virginia Mountaineers (11-1) travel to Oklahoma State to take on the Cowboys (10-2) in a matchup that pits sensational offense against stifling defense. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29, 2017, and will air on ESPNU.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 151.5 points with West Virginia set as a 3-point favorite.
West Virginia Mountaineers at Oklahoma State Cowboys ATS Prediction
The Mountaineers come in on a high note after beating the Fordham Rams in their last outing, 86-69. The Mountaineers, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 36.9, had an absurd mark of 46.2, while the Rams had a turnover percentage of 21.4 (above their season average of 15.3). West Virginia received a boost from Daxter Miles Jr., who was the game’s high scorer with 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting.
In the Cowboys’ last matchup, they dismantled the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, 102-83. The Cowboys made 29 of their 34 free throws (85.3 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.553 (above their season average of 0.512). Jeffrey Carroll was the top scorer from either team with 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
Points could be at a premium in this matchup between a pair of the NCAA’s premier defenses. Oklahoma State ranks 26th in defensive efficiency (91.6) and West Virginia is eighth (86.9). Also, the Mountaineers rank 15th in turnover percentage (15.1 percent), while the Cowboys rank 27th in opponents’ turnover percentage (23.7 percent).
West Virginia is 11-1 straight up (SU), but they struggle covering the spread (3-5 against the spread (ATS)). Games including the Mountaineers have no tendency in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Oklahoma State is 10-2 SU, but they are just 4-5 ATS. Of the Cowboys’ 9 games with betting action, 9 have finished under the projected point total.
Jevon Carter has averaged 22.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.8 steals over the last five games for West Virginia.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Cowboys won the most recent game 82-75. The Cowboys knocked down 24 of their 27 free throws (88.9 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (47.1 vs. 24.1).
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
West Virginia is 1-4 ATS on the road with 3 overs and 2 unders.
At home, Oklahoma State is 3-3 ATS with 6 unders and 0 overs.
West Virginia ranks 15th in rebounds per game (41.3) while Oklahoma State ranks 141st in rebounds allowed per game (35.0).
The Cowboys rank eighth in blocks allowed per game (2.1) while the Mountaineers rank 110th (3.7).
West Virginia averages 10.5 steals per game, which ranks fifth in the nation. Oklahoma State ranks 80th in steals allowed per game (6.1).
The Cowboys average 27.3 three pointers per game, which ranks 28th in the NCAA. The Mountaineers rank 86th in three pointers allowed per game (20.6).
Oklahoma State ranks 33rd in assists per game (17.3) while West Virginia ranks 62nd in assists allowed per game (11.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, West Virginia is 1-2 ATS with 2 unders and 1 over.
Oklahoma State is 1-2 ATS with 3 unders over their last five games.
The Mountaineers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 21.0, down from 21.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cowboys have scored an average of 78.6 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.4 points per game (4.7 above their season average).
