It will be a showdown between two stifling defenses when the Kansas State Wildcats (7-9, 0-4 Big 12) meet the 12th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (14-2, 3-1 Big 12) at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. Action gets underway at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, 2020, and can be seen on ESPNU.
West Virginia Mountaineers at Kansas State Wildcats ATS Odds
In their last outing, the Wildcats were beaten by the 23rd-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders, 77-63, while the Mountaineers won big over the TCU Horned Frogs, 81-49.
West Virginia played a nearly perfect game. They had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 46.4 (above their season average of 38.4) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.644 (above their season average of 0.471). TCU put up marks of 26.5 and 0.398, respectively, for those same stats. Kansas State, on the other hand, did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (25-34; 73.5 percent). Cartier Diarra had a good outing for Kansas State, putting up 19 points. West Virginia, meanwhile, rallied around Derek Culver, who put up 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Wildcats dominated this series last year, winning both contests. In the last contest, Kansas State won 65-51. Kansas State had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.528 vs. 0.394). West Virginia, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.192 vs. 0.148). This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
The inefficient offense of Kansas State will clash against the top-notch defense of West Virginia. The Wildcats rank 292nd in offensive efficiency, while the Mountaineers are third in defensive efficiency. The Mountaineers figure to have the edge on that end of the court. Additionally, the Mountaineers rank 306th in turnover percentage (21.7 percent), while the Wildcats rank 14th in opponents’ turnover percentage (25.0 percent).
West Virginia vs. Kansas State Odds Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- West Virginia ranks fifth in rebounds per game (42.0) while Kansas State ranks 225th (33.5).
- The Mountaineers rank 43rd in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while the Wildcats rank 94th (3.4).
- West Virginia is fifth in the country with 8.7 assists allowed per game while Kansas State is 50th with 10.9 assists allowed per game.
- The Wildcats rank 32nd in steals per game (8.6) while the Mountaineers rank 175th in steals allowed per game (7.6).
- Kansas State ranks 146th in three pointers attempted per game (21.9) while West Virginia ranks 245th (17.9).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 64.4 points per game (7.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 52.6 points per game (6.7 below their season average).
- The Wildcats have been outscored by an average of 6.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Kansas State has defeated opponents by an average of 2.7 points.