The No. 12 Kansas Jayhawks (14-3, 4-1 Big 12) visit West Virginia to take on the No. 2 Mountaineers (15-2, 4-1 Big 12) in a matchup that pits phenomenal offense against exceptional defense. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, January 15, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 156.5 points with West Virginia set as a 4.5-point favorite.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Prediction
The Jayhawks come in on a high note after barely hanging on to beat the Kansas State Wildcats in their last game, 73-72. Kansas’ free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Kansas State. The Jayhawks had a rate of 0.306 (above their season average of 0.157), while the Wildcats posted a mark of 0.182 (below their season average of 0.267). Kansas was led by Udoka Azubuike, who finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and five blocks.
The last time the Mountaineers played, they lost a tough one against the No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 72-71. Texas Tech made good use of their 28 trips to the free throw line, making 24 of them (85.7 percent). West Virginia, meanwhile, was 14-19 (73.7 percent). Jevon Carter had a solid performance for West Virginia, leading both teams in scoring with 28 points on 10-for-22 shooting.
It might turn into a high-scoring affair as two of the NCAA’s best offenses go head-to-head. West Virginia ranks 60th with 112.8 points per 100 possessions and Kansas is 12th (119.3). Also, the Jayhawks rank 34th in turnover percentage (16.4 percent), while the Mountaineers rank second in opponents’ turnover percentage (27.5 percent).
Kansas comes into the contest with records of 14-3 straight up (SU) and 9-7 against the spread (ATS). There does not appear to be a trend for Jayhawks games in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, West Virginia owns records of 15-2 SU and 7-6 ATS. Vegas tends to place the total high when the Mountaineers are involved, as 61.5 percent of their games have gone under the total.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Jayhawks won the last matchup 84-80. One of Kansas’ largest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They had 44 free throw attempts, while West Virginia had 29.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Kansas, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Kansas is 4-3 ATS on the road with 5 unders and 2 overs.
West Virginia is 3-2 ATS at home with 4 unders and 1 over.
West Virginia averages 27.1 three pointers per game, which ranks 27th in the nation. Kansas ranks 235th in three pointers allowed per game (25.1).
The Mountaineers average 39.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 35th in the nation. The Jayhawks rank 138th in rebounds allowed per game (35.3).
West Virginia averages 9.9 steals per game, which ranks sixth in the nation. Kansas ranks 69th in steals allowed per game (5.8).
The Jayhawks rank 33rd in blocks per game (4.9) while the Mountaineers rank 96th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
Kansas ranks 11th in assists per game (18.2) while West Virginia ranks 57th (15.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Kansas is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
West Virginia is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Jayhawks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 15.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 75.8 points per game (6.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.0 points per game (4.6 above their season average).
