A shootout should be expected when the No. 19 West Virginia Mountaineers (18-7, 7-5 Big 12) and the TCU Horned Frogs (17-8, 5-7 Big 12) go head-to-head at WVU Coliseum. West Virginia opened as a 6-point favorite, while the games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 158.5 points. Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, February 12, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN2.
TCU Horned Frogs at West Virginia Mountaineers Odds Preview
The Horned Frogs beat the Texas Longhorns in their last matchup, 87-71. Vladimir Brodziansky was the games high scorer with 25 points on 11-for-19 shooting. TCU played a flawless game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 39.3 (above their season average of 34.6) and a turnover percentage of 8.3 (better than their season average of 15.5). For those same stats, Texas was 18.5 and 16.1, respectively.
The last time the Mountaineers played, they were topped by the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 88-85. Jevon Carter was the top scorer from either team with 33 points on 11-for-18 shooting. Oklahoma State did an excellent job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (30-36; 83.3 percent). West Virginia, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (15.3 vs. 16.1).
The productive offense of West Virginia (44th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 113.1) will square off against the bottom-tier defense of TCU (256th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 106.5). The Mountaineers should have the advantage on that end of the court.
Of TCU’s 24 games with betting action, 16 have finished over the projected point total, while 11 of West Virginia’s 21 games have finished under the projected point total. Both teams have respectable straight up (SU) records (17-8 for TCU; 18-7 for West Virginia), but the Horned Frogs have the advantage against the spread (ATS). TCU is 12-11-1 ATS, while the Mountaineers are 10-11.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to put up 155 points, hitting the projected point total. The Horned Frogs won 82-73, covering as 2-point underdogs. The Horned Frogs dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.390 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.500. For those same stats, the Mountaineers were 0.213 and 0.380, respectively. Brodziansky put up a double-double in the victory with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
TCU Horned Frogs vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – TCU, ATS Winner – TCU, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Horned Frogs rank seventh in rebounds allowed per game (30.0) while the Mountaineers rank 151st (35.0).
- West Virginia ranks 11th in steals per game (8.5) while TCU ranks 90th (6.8).
- West Virginia is 5-5 ATS at home, while TCU is 5-4-1 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 6 of the Horned Frogs 10 road games, while 6 of the Mountaineers 10 home games have gone under.
- West Virginia ranks 67th in assists allowed per game (12.1) while TCU ranks 251st (16.1).
- The Mountaineers average 26.1 three pointers per game, which ranks 36th in the nation. The Horned Frogs rank 184th in three pointers allowed per game (23.1).
- West Virginia ranks 25th in blocks per game (4.9) while TCU ranks 171st in blocks allowed per game (4.2).
Betting Trends:
- West Virginia is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, TCU is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Mountaineers average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.8, down from 12.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Horned Frogs have scored an average of 75.8 points per game (9.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.4 points per game (2.4 below their season average).
