Expect a defensive battle when the 16th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (11-1) meet the third-ranked Kansas Jayhawks (10-2) at Allen Fieldhouse. Action gets underway at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 4, 2020.
West Virginia Mountaineers at Kansas Jayhawks Betting Odds
Both teams beat their last opponent. The Jayhawks defeated the Stanford Cardinal 72-56, while the Mountaineers beat the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 67-59.
The Mountaineers forced 22 turnovers and held the Buckeyes to an effective field goal percentage of 0.396 (below their season average of 0.576). The Jayhawks, on the other hand, had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 41.7 (above their season average of 31.5) and held the Cardinal to an effective field goal percentage of 0.440 (below their season average of 0.563). Kansas was lifted by Devon Dotson, who had 14 points. Miles McBride fueled West Virginia with 21 points.
The Jayhawks took this series last year, emerging victorious in two out of three games. In the most recent contest, Kansas won 88-74. Making free throws was one of Kansas’ biggest strengths. They were 14-16 (87.5 percent), while the Mountaineers were just 8-17 (47.1 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
This battle pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Kansas ranks 18th in offensive efficiency and West Virginia ranks 18th in defensive efficiency. Also, the Mountaineers are among the country’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking eighth in offensive rebounding percentage (38.0 percent). The Jayhawks, however, rank 36th at securing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 76.4 percent.
West Virginia Mountaineers at Kansas Jayhawks Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- West Virginia ranks 101st in three pointers allowed per game (21.0) while Kansas ranks 253rd (28.5).
- The Jayhawks rank 26th in rebounds allowed per game (30.8) while the Mountaineers rank 109th (34.3).
- West Virginia ranks 44th in blocks per game (4.5) while Kansas ranks 10th in blocks allowed per game (2.1).
- The Jayhawks average 8.9 steals per game, which ranks 28th in the nation. The Mountaineers rank 140th in steals allowed per game (7.3).
- West Virginia ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (8.7) while Kansas ranks 99th (12.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Mountaineers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.8, up from 12.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Jayhawks have scored an average of 78.4 points per game (2.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 59.0 points per game (3.3 below their season average).
