It will be a meeting between two superb defenses when the 14th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (18-5, 6-4 Big 12) meet the third-ranked Kansas Jayhawks (20-3, 9-1 Big 12) at WVU Coliseum. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
Kansas Jayhawks at West Virginia Mountaineers ATS Odds
In their last game, the Mountaineers lost to the Oklahoma Sooners, 69-59, while the Jayhawks defeated the TCU Horned Frogs, 60-46.
Kansas dominated every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.138 (below their season average of 0.236) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 38.9 (above their season average of 32.0). TCU was 0.056 and 23.1, respectively, for those same stats. West Virginia, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 12.2 (better than their season average of 17.4). West Virginia was lifted by Oscar Tshiebwe, who contributed 12 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Udoka Azubuike played a key role for Kansas with 20 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.
In their first matchup this year, Azubuike led the Jayhawks to a 60-53 win. He recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. One of Kansas’ biggest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They made 30 trips to the line, while West Virginia went 22 times.
Baskets could be hard to come by as two of the country’s top defenses square off. West Virginia currently ranks fourth in defensive efficiency (88.1) and Kansas is sixth (88.3).
Kansas Jayhawks at West Virginia Mountaineers Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Kansas, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- West Virginia ranks 107th in three pointers allowed per game (20.8) while Kansas ranks 253rd (25.0).
- The Jayhawks rank 18th in blocks per game (5.1) while the Mountaineers rank 84th (3.7).
- West Virginia averages 41.6 rebounds per game, which ranks fifth in the NCAA. Kansas ranks 51st in rebounds allowed per game (32.2).
- The Jayhawks rank 47th in steals per game (8.0) while the Mountaineers rank 186th in steals allowed per game (7.4).
- West Virginia ranks eighth in assists allowed per game (9.5) while Kansas ranks 79th (11.5).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 71.2 points per game (1.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.4 points per game (3.7 above their season average).
- The Jayhawks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.8, down from 14.7 for the season.
