Offense meets defense when the West Virginia Mountaineers (2-2) welcome the Valparaiso Crusaders (3-2) to WVU Coliseum. The game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 24, 2018.
Valparaiso Crusaders at West Virginia Mountaineers Free Prediction
In the Crusaders’ last outing, they beat the SIUE Cougars, 75-70. The Crusaders had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.396 (above their season average of 0.268) and had a better turnover percentage (16.1 vs. 17.7). Derrik Smits played a pivotal role for Valparaiso with 10 points and eight rebounds.
The Mountaineers were victorious over the Saint Joseph’s Hawks in their last outing, 97-90. The Mountaineers knocked down 26 of their 33 free throws (78.8 percent) and held the Hawks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.9 (below their season average of 25.2). Lamont West was West Virginia’s leading scorer with 27 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of West Virginia takes on the elite defense of Valparaiso. Since the 2017-18 season, the Mountaineers rank 36th in offensive efficiency, while the Crusaders are 51st in defensive efficiency. It could also be a mistake-prone game for the Crusaders’ offense, which ranks 309th in ball security (turnover percentage of 20.8 percent). They’ll be going up against the stingy defense of the Mountaineers, which has forced the seventh-most turnovers in the nation (23.0 percent).
Valparaiso vs. West Virginia Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
West Virginia ranks 59th in three pointers attempted per game (24.9) while Valparaiso ranks 259th (19.7).
The Crusaders rank 30th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Mountaineers rank 225th (3.9).
West Virginia averages 7.9 steals per game, which ranks 19th in the nation. Valparaiso ranks 170th in steals allowed per game (6.3).
The Mountaineers rank 49th in rebounds per game (38.2) while the Crusaders rank 192nd (34.9).
West Virginia ranks 66th in assists per game (15.1) while Valparaiso ranks 98th in assists allowed per game (12.5).
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