The No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-1) will attempt to lengthen their 10-game winning streak against the West Virginia Mountaineers (8-4) at WVU Coliseum. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, and will air on ESPNU.
Texas Tech Red Raiders at West Virginia Mountaineers ATS Prediction
The Red Raiders will be looking for similar success after blowing out the UIW Cardinals in their last matchup, 87-37. The Red Raiders had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.675 vs. 0.286) and had a much better turnover percentage (18.2 vs. 34.6). Texas Tech was lifted by Jarrett Culver, who was the game’s leading scorer with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting.
The last time the Mountaineers played, they fell to the Buffalo Bulls, 99-94. Buffalo’s 10.5 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over West Virginia, who had a mark of 18.9. With 22 points on 6-for-16 shooting, Lamont West led West Virginia in scoring.
After the Mountaineers won two out of three matchups against the Red Raiders last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent contest, West Virginia won 66-63. The Mountaineers’ 12.4 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Red Raiders, who had a mark of 14.2.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Culver (0 points) has been stellar for the Red Raiders while Esa Ahmad (0 points) has made solid contributions to the Mountaineers.
This could end up being a sloppy game for the West Virginia offense. West Virginia ranks 300th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 21.4 percent), while the gambling defense of Texas Tech forces the eighth-most turnovers in the NCAA (25.2 percent).
Texas Tech Red Raiders at West Virginia Mountaineers Odds Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Texas Tech, ATS Winner – Texas Tech, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
West Virginia ranks 52nd in three pointers attempted per game (25.9) while Texas Tech ranks 253rd (17.2).
The Red Raiders rank 12th in rebounds allowed per game (29.9) while the Mountaineers rank 138th (35.7).
Texas Tech ranks 63rd in steals per game (7.4) while West Virginia ranks 182nd in steals allowed per game (8.4).
The Red Raiders rank second in assists allowed per game (8.2) while the Mountaineers rank 114th (13.3).
Texas Tech ranks 25th in blocks per game (4.9) while West Virginia ranks 102nd in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Bettings Trends:
The Red Raiders’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 26.8, up from 23.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 81.4 points per game (2.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 76.2 points per game (3.0 above their season average).
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