The No. 6 West Virginia Mountaineers (16-4) meet the No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats (15-5) at WVU Coliseum. The game starts at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 27, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
Kentucky Wildcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Prediction
In the Wildcats’ last outing, they beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 78-65. The Wildcats knocked down 23 of their 30 free throws (76.7 percent) and held the Bulldogs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.3 (below their season average of 33.2). With 22 points on 6-for-10 shooting, PJ Washington was the top scorer from either team.
The Mountaineers lost to the No. 24 TCU Horned Frogs in their last game, 82-73. One of TCU’s largest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They had 33 free throw attempts, while West Virginia had 22. With 16 points on 6-for-18 shooting, Jevon Carter was West Virginia’s leading scorer.
West Virginia should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. West Virginia ranks 41st in the nation at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.6 percent), while Kentucky forces the 83rd-fewest turnovers (17.7 percent). Also, the Wildcats’ defense should have an edge in terms of effective field goal percentage. They rank 26th in the nation with an opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 0.461, while the offense of the Mountaineers ranks 267th in effective field goal percentage (0.492).
Sagaba Konate has averaged 12.0 rebounds, 11.4 points and 4.6 blocks over the last five games for West Virginia.
Kentucky Wildcats at West Virginia Mountaineers Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Kentucky, ATS Winner – Kentucky, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
West Virginia ranks 27th in three pointers attempted per game (26.9) while Kentucky ranks 290th (14.3).
The Mountaineers rank seventh in steals per game (9.3) while the Wildcats rank 121st (6.2).
Kentucky averages 38.8 rebounds per game, which ranks 49th in the nation. West Virginia ranks 150th in rebounds allowed per game (35.1).
The Wildcats average 5.3 blocks per game, which ranks 20th in the nation. The Mountaineers rank 116th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
West Virginia averages 15.6 assists per game, which ranks 58th in the NCAA. Kentucky ranks 142nd in assists allowed per game (13.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 7.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 70.6 points per game (10.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.0 points per game (0.3 above their season average).
