Expect a shootout when the No. 24 TCU Horned Frogs (14-5, 2-5 Big 12) and the No. 6 West Virginia Mountaineers (16-3, 5-2 Big 12) clash at Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena. The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 160 points with West Virginia opening as a 1-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Monday, January 22, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. TCU Horned Frogs ATS Preview
The Mountaineers dismantled the Texas Longhorns in their last outing, 86-51. With 10 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks, West Virginia’s Sagaba Konate played well. West Virginia dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a fantastic offensive rebounding percentage of 37.8 (above their season average of 36.7) and a turnover percentage of 12.0 (better than their season average of 14.0). For those same stats, Texas was 16.2 and 20.1, respectively.
In the Horned Frogs last matchup, they were thoroughly outplayed by the Kansas State Wildcats, 73-68. With 11 points and 10 rebounds, TCU’s Kenrich Williams played well. Kansas State held the Horned Frogs to an effective field goal percentage of 0.500 (below their season average of 0.581). TCU, meanwhile, held the Wildcats to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.0 (below their season average of 30.1).
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the productive offense of TCU takes on the elite defense of West Virginia. The Horned Frogs rank seventh in offensive efficiency, while the Mountaineers are seventh in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Mountaineers are among the nations elite on the offensive backboards, ranking ninth in offensive rebounding percentage (36.8 percent). The Horned Frogs, however, rank 46th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.9 percent).
In terms of the O/U total, these teams are complete opposites. West Virginia games have finished under 60.0 percent of the time, while games featuring TCU have gone over 72.2 percent of the time. The Mountaineers have the superior straight up (SU) record (16-3 vs. 14-5), but the Horned Frogs hold the sizable advantage against the spread (ATS) (9-9 vs. 8-7).
Both teams have had a player trending in the right direction over their last five games. For the Mountaineers, it’s been Konate, who has averaged 11.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.8 blocks, while the Horned Frogs have received great contributions from Vladimir Brodziansky (20.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks).
This is the first time these teams will clash this year. The Mountaineers won both matchups played against each other last season. In the last contest, West Virginia won 61-60. The Mountaineers turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Horned Frogs. West Virginia had a rate of 13.3, while TCU posted a mark of 27.7.
West Virginia Mountaineers at TCU Horned Frogs Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – TCU, ATS Winner – TCU, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Mountaineers average 5.2 blocks per game, which ranks 22nd in the NCAA. The Horned Frogs rank 123rd in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
- West Virginia ranks sixth in steals per game (9.4) while TCU ranks 72nd (7.0).
- On the road, West Virginia is 4-4 ATS with 4 overs and 4 unders.
- TCU is 5-6 ATS at home with 8 overs and 3 unders.
- West Virginia ranks 36th in assists allowed per game (11.3) while TCU ranks 232nd (16.4).
- The Mountaineers rank 25th in three pointers attempted per game (26.8) while the Horned Frogs rank 199th in three pointers allowed per game (23.6).
- TCU ranks 10th in rebounds allowed per game (30.3) while West Virginia ranks 121st (34.5).
Betting Trends:
- TCU is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, West Virginia is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Horned Frogs average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.6, down from 9.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 73.8 points per game (7.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.8 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
