A low-scoring game should be expected when the No. 6 West Virginia Mountaineers (15-3, 4-2 Big 12) and the Texas Longhorns (12-6, 3-3 Big 12) go head-to-head at WVU Coliseum. The game starts at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 20, 2018.
Texas Longhorns vs. West Virginia Mountaineers ATS Prediction
In the Longhorns’ last contest, they defeated the No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 67-58. Texas’ free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Texas Tech. The Longhorns had a rate of 0.333 (above their season average of 0.219), while the Red Raiders posted a mark of 0.164 (below their season average of 0.280). Mohamed Bamba played a key role for Texas with 15 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks.
The Mountaineers lost to the No. 10 Kansas Jayhawks in their last outing, 71-66. Kansas’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over West Virginia. The Jayhawks had a rate of 16.4 (worse than their season average of 14.5), while the Mountaineers posted a mark of 19.2 (above their season average of 13.7). Sagaba Konate had a solid game for West Virginia, leading the team in scoring with 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
Baskets could be hard to come by in this meeting between a pair of the nation’s best defenses. West Virginia currently ranks ninth in defensive efficiency (91.1) and Texas is 26th (94.0).
After the Mountaineers won all three matchups against the Longhorns last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last game, West Virginia won 63-53. The Mountaineers had a better free throw rate (0.185 vs. 0.140) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.491 vs. 0.395).
Texas Longhorns at West Virginia Mountaineers Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Texas, ATS Winner – Texas, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
West Virginia ranks 34th in rebounds per game (39.6) while Texas ranks 171st in rebounds allowed per game (36.2).
The Mountaineers rank sixth in steals per game (9.7) while the Longhorns rank 129th (5.9).
West Virginia ranks 27th in three pointers attempted per game (27.1) while Texas ranks 131st (22.3).
The Longhorns rank ninth in blocks per game (6.1) while the Mountaineers rank 88th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Texas ranks 34th in assists allowed per game (11.2) while West Virginia ranks 41st (11.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Longhorns’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 7.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 72.0 points per game (9.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (2.7 above their season average).
