GAME: #665 West Virginia vs #666 Kansas
TIME: 1/4/2020 – 4:00p EST
SPREAD: Kansas -9
TOTAL: 141
SPORTSBOOK: 5Dimes Sportsbook
The #16 West Virginia Mountaineers (11-1, 0-0) meet #3 Kansas Jayhawks (10-2, 0-0) in the first conference game of the season at the Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday. In their last games out, West Virginia beat a tough ranked opponent in Ohio State while Kansas held off Stanford 72-56 playing on the road. Last season, these teams met 3 times with Kansas taking 2 of the 3. The totals for those games were 129, 131 in the regular season and 162 in the Big 12 tournament. Conference play tends to be more about defense between these teams.
WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
The West Virginia Mountaineers are averaging 74 points per game while shooting 43% from the field. The Mountaineers are allowing 62 points per game on 35% shooting from the field on the defensive end. West Virginia’s defense is forcing 15 turnovers per game while adding 7 steals and 2.4 blocks per game. West Virginia’s first priority is defense which they use to fuel their offense but if their defense is not efficient their offense will struggle. The Mountaineers are led by Oscar Tshiebwe, D. Culver, and J. Haley who are averaging double figures.
KANSAS JAYHAWKS
The Kansas Jayhawks are averaging 81 points per game on 51% field-goal shooting while adding 7 three-pointers and 9 offensive rebounds per game. The Jayhawks are allowing 62 points per game on 37% field goal shooting allowing only 29% from 3 while forcing 16 turnovers and adding 7 steals and 2 blocks on the defensive end. Kansas is led by point guard Devon Dotson with 18.8 points per game 4.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
WEST VIRGINIA vs JAYHAWKS PREDICTION
The Mountaineers are coming off a big win against Ohio State Buckeyes however The Jayhawks have been preparing for this big 12 opener. The public is all over West Virginia and the spread seems high however Kansas will have no problem cruising to a double-digit win to cover the spread. West Virginia will have a hard time scoring which will also create a lower-than-average scoring ball game keeping the total under.
TRENDS
WEST VIRGINIA
- Under is 5-0 in Mountaineers last 5 overall.
- Under is 4-0 in Mountaineers last 4 road games.
- Mountaineers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS win.
- Under is 4-1 in Mountaineers last 5 games following an ATS win.
KANSAS
- Jayhawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.
- Jayhawks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- Jayhawks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
HEAD TO HEAD
- Home team is 14-3 ATS in the last 17 meetings.
BETTING ANGLES:
Bookie Analysis: Kansas -9 / Under 141
Fade the Public: Kansas -9 / Under 141
Sharp Action: Kansas -9 / no data
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