The No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners (12-1, 2-0 Big 12) travel to West Virginia to take on the No. 6 Mountaineers (13-1, 2-0 Big 12) in a matchup that pits phenomenal offense against stifling defense. The game will air on ESPN2 at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6, 2018.
West Virginia opened as a 3.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 174.5 points.
Oklahoma Sooners vs. West Virginia Mountaineers ATS Prediction
In the Sooners’ last outing, they dismantled the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 109-89. Getting to the free throw line was one of Oklahoma’s biggest advantages. They made 34 trips to the line, while Oklahoma State went 19 times. Trae Young was a key piece for Oklahoma with 27 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
The Mountaineers defeated the Kansas State Wildcats in their last matchup, 77-69. West Virginia’s offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Kansas State. The Mountaineers had a rate of 34.6 (below their season average of 38.0), while the Wildcats posted a mark of 25.6 (below their season average of 32.2). Teddy Allen was the game’s high scorer with 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
This showdown figures to be a high-scoring affair as two of the NCAA’s top offenses face off. West Virginia ranks 41st with 115.0 points per 100 possessions and Oklahoma is 10th (120.7). Moreover, the Sooners commit the 24th-fewest errors in the nation (turnover percentage of 16.1 percent), while the disruptive defense of the Mountaineers causes the second-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 28.1 percent).
After splitting two games last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the most recent game, the Mountaineers won 61-50. The Mountaineers’ 18.7 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Sooners, who had a mark of 29.3.
Oklahoma Sooners vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
West Virginia averages 27.2 three pointers per game, which ranks 26th in the nation. Oklahoma ranks 251st in three pointers allowed per game (26.8).
The Mountaineers average 40.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 24th in the nation. The Sooners rank 225th in rebounds allowed per game (38.5).
West Virginia ranks 46th in assists per game (16.4) while Oklahoma ranks 168th in assists allowed per game (14.5).
The Sooners average 5.6 blocks per game, which ranks 21st in the nation. The Mountaineers rank 96th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
West Virginia ranks fifth in steals per game (10.5) while Oklahoma ranks 60th (7.4).
Bettings Trends:
The Sooners’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 18.4, up from 15.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 78.8 points per game (5.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 63.0 points per game (1.9 below their season average).
