It will be a showdown between two exceptional defenses when the 12th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (16-4, 4-3 Big 12) meet the Kansas State Wildcats (9-11, 2-5 Big 12) at WVU Coliseum. The game can be seen on ESPN2 at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 1, 2020.
Kansas State Wildcats at West Virginia Mountaineers ATS Odds
In their last game, the Mountaineers fell to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 89-81, while the Wildcats defeated the Oklahoma Sooners, 61-53.
The Wildcats had a turnover percentage of 10.4 (better than their season average of 18.9) and held the Sooners to an effective field goal percentage of 0.392 (below their season average of 0.484). West Virginia, on the other hand, forced Texas Tech into a turnover percentage of 26.8 (above their season average of 17.3). Derek Culver played well for West Virginia with 16 points. Xavier Sneed had a good outing for Kansas State, contributing 12 points.
In their first matchup this year, Cartier Diarra led the Wildcats to an 84-68 win. He scored a game-high 25 points. Getting to the free throw line was one of Kansas State’s biggest strengths. They made 25 trips to the line, while West Virginia went 22 times.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, West Virginia should have a noteworthy edge. The Mountaineers defense ranks second in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.418), while the Kansas State offense is ranked 262nd in effective field goal percentage (0.483). Ball protection could be troublesome for the Wildcats. They rank 301st at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 21.3 percent), while the Mountaineers force the 40th-most turnovers in the nation (opponents’ turnover percentage of 22.9 percent).
Kansas State Wildcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- West Virginia ranks eighth in rebounds per game (41.4) while Kansas State ranks 208th (34.0).
- The Mountaineers average 3.9 blocks per game, which ranks 69th in the nation. The Wildcats rank 150th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
- West Virginia ranks eighth in assists allowed per game (9.6) while Kansas State ranks 50th (10.9).
- The Wildcats rank 27th in steals per game (8.7) while the Mountaineers rank 182nd in steals allowed per game (7.5).
- Kansas State ranks 141st in three pointers attempted per game (22.1) while West Virginia ranks 258th (17.8).
Bettings Trends:
- The Mountaineers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.8, up from 12.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 68.4 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 71.2 points per game (7.8 above their season average).
