The No. 7 West Virginia Mountaineers (11-1) and the Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-2) go head-to-head at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Mountaineers look to continue their 11-game winning streak. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 151.5 points with West Virginia set as a 3-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
West Virginia Mountaineers at Oklahoma State Cowboys Betting Preview
The Mountaineers were victorious over the Fordham Rams in their last outing, 86-69. Daxter Miles Jr. was the games leading scorer with 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting. West Virginia played a nearly perfect game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 46.2 (above their season average of 36.9) and a turnover percentage of 15.5 (worse than their season average of 12.2). Fordham was 21.2 and 21.4, respectively, for those same stats.
The last time the Cowboys played, they blew out the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, 102-83. With 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting, Jeffrey Carroll was the top scorer from either team. Oklahoma State played a flawless game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.439 (above their season average of 0.209) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.553 (above their season average of 0.512). For those same stats, Texas-Rio Grande Valley had marks of 0.268 and 0.451, respectively.
Baskets could be hard to come by in this meeting between a pair of the NCAA’s top defenses. Oklahoma State ranks 26th in defensive efficiency (91.6) and West Virginia is eighth (86.9). Also, the Mountaineers rank 15th in turnover percentage (15.1 percent), while the Cowboys rank 27th in opponents turnover percentage (23.7 percent).
Of West Virginia’s 8 games that accepted bets, four have finished over the projected point total, while 9 of Oklahoma State’s 9 games have finished under the projected point total. Both teams have excellent straight up (SU) records (11-1 for West Virginia; 10-2 for Oklahoma State), but the Cowboys have the advantage against the spread (ATS). Oklahoma State is 4-5 ATS, while the Mountaineers are 3-5.
Jevon Carter has been playing at a high level over the last five games for West Virginia, averaging 22.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game.
This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year, after splitting two games last season. The Cowboys won the most recent matchup 82-75. The Cowboys dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a fantastic free throw rate of 0.600 and an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 47.1. For those same stats, the Mountaineers were 0.204 and 24.1, respectively.
West Virginia Mountaineers at Oklahoma State Cowboys Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Oklahoma State, ATS Winner – Oklahoma State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Cowboys average 27.3 three pointers per game, which ranks 28th in the nation. The Mountaineers rank 86th in three pointers allowed per game (20.6).
- Oklahoma State ranks 33rd in assists per game (17.3) while West Virginia ranks 62nd in assists allowed per game (11.8).
- West Virginia is 1-4 ATS on the road with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- Oklahoma State is 3-3 ATS at home with 6 unders and 0 overs.
- West Virginia ranks 15th in rebounds per game (41.3) while Oklahoma State ranks 141st in rebounds allowed per game (35.0).
- The Cowboys rank eighth in blocks allowed per game (2.1) while the Mountaineers rank 110th (3.7).
- West Virginia averages 10.5 steals per game, which ranks fifth in the nation. Oklahoma State ranks 80th in steals allowed per game (6.1).
Bettings Trends:
- Oklahoma State is 1-2 ATS with 3 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, West Virginia is 1-2 ATS with 2 unders and 1 over.
- The Cowboys average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, down from 13.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 80.4 points per game (4.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 59.4 points per game (4.0 below their season average).
