The No. 15 Virginia Cavaliers (8-0) look to remain unbeaten when they square off with the No. 18 West Virginia Mountaineers (7-1) at WVU Coliseum. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 133.5 points with West Virginia set as a 3-point favorite. Action starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
Virginia Cavaliers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Preview
The last time the Cavaliers played, they dismantled the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, 75-54. Kyle Guy was Virginia’s leading scorer with 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Virginia dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a superb turnover percentage of 8.7 (better than their season average of 13.5) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.8 (below their season average of 26.5). For those same stats, Lehigh was 25.3 and 17.9, respectively.
The Mountaineers will look to keep it rolling after blowing out the NJIT Highlanders in their last outing, 102-69. With 25 points on 7-for-14 shooting, Jevon Carter was the top scorer from either team. West Virginia played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 12.8 (worse than their season average of 12.5) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.2 (below their season average of 39.0). NJIT had marks of 22.1 and 23.7, respectively, for those same stats.
This showdown pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. West Virginia ranks 28th in offensive efficiency and Virginia is fifth in defensive efficiency dating back to the 2016-17 season. Furthermore, the Cavaliers have committed the 10th-fewest errors in the nation (turnover percentage of 15.5 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of the Mountaineers has caused the most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 28.2 percent).
In terms of the O/U total, these teams are complete opposites. Games featuring Virginia have finished under 71.4 percent of the time, while 60.0 percent of West Virginia games have finished over. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Cavaliers have a significant advantage. They are 8-0 SU and 6-1 ATS, while the Mountaineers are 7-1 SU and 2-3 ATS.
The Mountaineers won the only game against the Cavaliers last season, 66-57. The Mountaineers dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.314 and a turnover percentage of 11.9. For those same stats, the Cavaliers were 0.146 and 20.7, respectively.
Virginia Cavaliers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Mountaineers rank 135th in three pointers attempted per game (22.1) while the Cavaliers rank 296th (17.7).
- West Virginia ranks 20th in assists per game (16.5) while Virginia ranks 133rd (14.0).
- West Virginia ranks 62nd in rebounds per game (38.2) while Virginia ranks 279th (33.0).
- The Cavaliers rank 18th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Mountaineers rank 217th (3.9).
- West Virginia ranks first in steals per game (10.3) while Virginia ranks 196th (5.9).
