West Virginia Mountaineers at Kansas State Wildcats Betting Odds

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The No. 7 West Virginia Mountaineers (12-1, 1-0 Big 12) and the Kansas State Wildcats (11-2, 1-0 Big 12) face off at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. The Mountaineers will try to continue their 12-game winning streak. West Virginia is a 2-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 150 points. Action begins at 5 p.m. ET on Monday, January 1, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPNU.

West Virginia Mountaineers at Kansas State Wildcats Betting Preview

The Mountaineers were victorious over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their last matchup, 85-79. With 13 points and nine rebounds, West Virginia’s Sagaba Konate had a good performance. The Mountaineers forced 21 turnovers and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 43.2 (above their season average of 37.6).

The last time the Wildcats played, they defeated the Iowa State Cyclones, 91-75. Kansas State was lifted by Dean Wade, who was the games high scorer with 34 points on 13-for-16 shooting. Kansas State played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary effective field goal percentage of 0.664 (above their season average of 0.553) and a turnover percentage of 15.1 (worse than their season average of 13.8). For those same stats, Iowa State was 0.490 and 16.2, respectively.

This matchup pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Kansas State ranks 23rd in offensive efficiency and West Virginia ranks ninth in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Mountaineers commit the 23rd-fewest errors in the nation (turnover percentage of 15.8 percent), while the gambling defense of the Wildcats causes the 37th-most (opponents turnover percentage of 22.9 percent).

Of West Virginia’s 9 games that accepted bets, five have finished over the O/U total, while 5 of Kansas State’s 10 games have finished over the projected point total. Both teams have phenomenal straight up (SU) records (12-1 for West Virginia; 11-2 for Kansas State), but the Mountaineers have the advantage against the spread (ATS). West Virginia is 4-5 ATS, while the Wildcats are 3-7.

This is the first time these teams will meet this year. The Mountaineers won two out of three matchups played against each other last season. In the last matchup, West Virginia won 51-50. West Virginia’s rebounding was their biggest strength. The Mountaineers had more offensive rebounds (16 vs. five) and total rebounds (44 vs. 35).

West Virginia Mountaineers at Kansas State Wildcats Betting Prediction

Predictions: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – Kansas State, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Wildcats rank 17th in steals allowed per game (4.8) while the Mountaineers rank 82nd (6.0).
  • Kansas State ranks 44th in assists per game (16.5) while West Virginia ranks 52nd (16.1).
  • West Virginia is 2-4 ATS on the road, while Kansas State is 1-3 ATS at home.
  • The total has gone over in 4 of the Mountaineers 6 road games, while 2 of the Wildcats 4 home games have gone over.
  • West Virginia ranks 24th in rebounds per game (40.8) while Kansas State ranks 207th (33.8).
  • The Mountaineers average 28.1 three pointers per game, which ranks 14th in the NCAA. The Wildcats rank 151st in three pointers allowed per game (22.5).
  • West Virginia ranks 32nd in blocks per game (5.2) while Kansas State ranks 142nd (2.8).

Bettings Trends:

  • Kansas State is 1-3 ATS with 2 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
  • Over their last five games, West Virginia is 2-2 ATS with 2 overs and 2 unders.
  • The Wildcats average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.4, down from 14.6 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 77.0 points per game (7.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 61.4 points per game (3.2 below their season average).