It will be a battle between two stifling defenses when the 17th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (12-2, 1-1 Big 12) square off with the 22nd-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-4, 1-1 Big 12) at WVU Coliseum. The game can be seen on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 11, 2020.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Odds
In their last outing, the Mountaineers defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 55-41, while the Red Raiders lost to the fourth-ranked Baylor Bears, 57-52.
The Mountaineers held the Cowboys to an effective field goal percentage of 0.302 (below their season average of 0.478) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (27.8 vs. 25.0). Texas Tech, on the other hand, forced Baylor into a turnover percentage of 25.5 (above their season average of 14.7). Derek Culver played well for West Virginia with nine points and 12 rebounds. Jahmi’us Ramsey, meanwhile had a good outing for Texas Tech, finishing with 20 points and five rebounds.
The Red Raiders edged out the Mountaineers in this series last year, securing victories in two out of three games. In the most recent contest, West Virginia won 79-74. West Virginia won the rebounding battle. The Mountaineers had more offensive rebounds (19 vs. 7), defensive rebounds (25 vs. 23) and total rebounds (44 vs. 30). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Points could be at a premium as a pair of the nation’s best defenses battle. West Virginia ranks 10th in defensive efficiency (85.4) and Texas Tech is 18th (87.3). Furthermore, the Red Raiders are among the NCAA’s elite at getting to the line, ranking 30th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.285). The Mountaineers, meanhwile, rank 303rd in opponents’ FTA rate (0.270).
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Free Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Texas Tech ranks ninth in assists per game (17.2) while West Virginia ranks 152nd (12.8).
- The Red Raiders rank 167th in three pointers attempted per game (20.9) while the Mountaineers rank 241st (17.9).
- Texas Tech is 19th in the NCAA with 2.3 blocks allowed per game while West Virginia is 49th with 2.8 blocks allowed per game.
- The Red Raiders rank 72nd in steals per game (7.6) while the Mountaineers rank 167th in steals allowed per game (7.7).
- West Virginia ranks seventh in rebounds per game (42.0) while Texas Tech ranks 91st (37.6).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 66.6 points per game (5.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 56.2 points per game (4.2 below their season average).
- The Red Raiders’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.2, down from 13.2 for the season.
