Expect a defensive battle when the TCU Horned Frogs (12-3, 3-0 Big 12), 9.5-point underdogs, go head-to-head against the 12th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (13-2, 2-1 Big 12) at WVU Coliseum. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 128.5 points and it can be seen on ESPNU at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.
TCU Horned Frogs vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Odds
Both teams easily covered as favorites in their last outing. The Mountaineers (4.5-point favorites) defeated the 22nd-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders 66-54, while the Horned Frogs (3-point favorites) beat the Oklahoma State Cowboys 52-40. The West Virginia game went 11 points under the projected point total of 131, while the TCU game finished 39 points under the projected point total of 131.
TCU played a nearly perfect game. They had a solid free throw rate of 0.250 (above their season average of 0.137) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 24.2 (below their season average of 33.9). Oklahoma State was 0.113 and 18.4, respectively, for those same stats. West Virginia, on the other hand, dominated nearly every facet of their game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.479 (above their season average of 0.257) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.448 (below their season average of 0.473). For those same stats, Texas Tech was 0.081 and 0.324, respectively. West Virginia rallied around Oscar Tshiebwe, who put up seven points and 17 rebounds. Desmond Bane, meanwhile led the way for TCU, finishing with 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
This series was highly contested last year, as the teams split their two games last season. The Mountaineers won the most recent matchup 104-96. Getting to the free throw line was one of West Virginia’s largest strengths. They made 33 trips to the line, while TCU went 20 times. This will be the first meeting of the year between these two teams.
Vegas is known to place the total high when the Horned Frogs are involved, as 64.3 percent of their contests have gone under the O/U total. TCU is 12-3 straight up (SU), but they struggle covering the spread (6-8 against the spread (ATS)).
Mountaineers games also have typically finished under the total (80.0 percent). Moreover, West Virginia owns records of 13-2 SU and 9-6 ATS.
Points could be at a premium as two of the nation’s best defenses clash. West Virginia currently ranks sixth in defensive efficiency (84.3) and TCU is 20th (87.8).
TCU Horned Frogs at West Virginia Mountaineers Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- TCU ranks 37th in three pointers attempted per game (26.7) while West Virginia ranks 262nd (17.7).
- The Mountaineers rank fifth in rebounds per game (42.3) while the Horned Frogs rank 82nd (37.7).
- West Virginia ranks 49th in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while TCU ranks 79th (3.2).
- The Mountaineers rank fifth in assists allowed per game (8.7) while the Horned Frogs rank 198th (14.5).
- TCU ranks 32nd in steals allowed per game (5.4) while West Virginia ranks 172nd (7.9).
- West Virginia is 4-3 ATS at home, while TCU is 2-1 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 3 of the Horned Frogs’ 3 road games, while 5 of the Mountaineers’ 7 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Mountaineers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Horned Frogs are 3-2.
- In their last five games, West Virginia has 5 unders, while TCU has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Mountaineers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.6, down from 11.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Horned Frogs have scored an average of 67.6 points per game (4.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 59.2 points per game (1.0 below their season average).
