The No. 2 West Virginia Mountaineers (15-2, 4-1 Big 12) will attempt to extend their 11-game home winning streak when they clash with the No. 12 Kansas Jayhawks (14-3, 4-1 Big 12), who have won their last five road games. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 156.5 points with West Virginia set as a 4.5-point favorite. Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, January 15, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Kansas Jayhawks at West Virginia Mountaineers ATS Preview
The Jayhawks edged the Kansas State Wildcats in their last contest, 73-72. With 18 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, Kansas Udoka Azubuike played well. The Jayhawks made 15 of their 17 free throws (88.2 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.592 vs. 0.564).
In the Mountaineers last game, they were beaten by the No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 72-71. Jevon Carter was the top scorer from either team with 28 points on 10-for-22 shooting. Texas Tech did an excellent job of converting from the free throw line (24-28; 85.7 percent). West Virginia, on the other hand, held the Red Raiders to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.4 (below their season average of 35.0).
This showdown figures to be a high-scoring affair as two of the nations premier offenses face off. West Virginia currently ranks 60th with 112.8 points per 100 possessions and Kansas is 12th (119.3). Also, the Jayhawks commit the 34th-fewest errors in the NCAA (turnover percentage of 16.4 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of the Mountaineers causes the second-most (opponents turnover percentage of 27.5 percent).
Of Kansas 16 games with betting action, eight have finished over the O/U total, while 8 of West Virginia’s 13 games have finished under the O/U total. Both teams have phenomenal straight up (SU) records (14-3 for Kansas; 15-2 for West Virginia), but the Jayhawks have the advantage against the spread (ATS). Kansas is 9-7 ATS, while the Mountaineers are 7-6.
This is the first time these teams will clash this year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Jayhawks won the last contest 84-80. One of Kansas biggest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They had 44 free throw attempts, while West Virginia had 29.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – Kansas, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Jayhawks rank 33rd in blocks per game (4.9) while the Mountaineers rank 96th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
- Kansas ranks 11th in assists per game (18.2) while West Virginia ranks 57th (15.9).
- Kansas is 4-3 ATS on the road with 5 unders and 2 overs.
- At home, West Virginia is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- West Virginia ranks 27th in three pointers attempted per game (27.1) while Kansas ranks 235th in three pointers allowed per game (25.1).
- The Mountaineers average 39.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 35th in the NCAA. The Jayhawks rank 138th in rebounds allowed per game (35.3).
- West Virginia averages 9.9 steals per game, which ranks sixth in the NCAA. Kansas ranks 69th in steals allowed per game (5.8).
Betting Trends:
- West Virginia is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Kansas is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Mountaineers average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.8, down from 16.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Jayhawks have scored an average of 81.8 points per game (4.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 81.0 points per game (10.8 above their season average).
