The No. 18 West Virginia Mountaineers (22-9, 11-7 Big 12) take on the Baylor Bears (18-13, 8-10 Big 12) in the Big 12 Conference Tourney at Sprint Center. The game begins at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
West Virginia is a 4.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 141.5 points.
Baylor Bears vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Free Prediction
In the Bears’ last outing, they were defeated by the Kansas State Wildcats, 77-67. Kansas State’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Baylor. The Wildcats had a rate of 14.2 (better than their season average of 15.4), while the Bears posted a mark of 19.4 (above their season average of 16.3). Nuni Omot was the top scorer from either team with 30 points on 8-for-11 shooting.
The Mountaineers were beaten by the Texas Longhorns in their last contest, 87-79. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Texas’ biggest strengths. They made 28 trips to the line, while West Virginia went just 11 times. With 14 points and eight rebounds, West Virginia’s Sagaba Konate had a solid performance.
West Virginia could put on a ball-control clinic in this contest. West Virginia ranks 29th in the nation at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.0 percent), while Baylor forces the 76th-fewest turnovers (17.0 percent). Additionally, the Bears, who rank 10th in offensive rebounding percentage (35.9 percent), will go head-to-head against the Mountaineers, who rank 265th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.5 percent).
Baylor comes into the game with records of 18-13 straight up (SU) and 14-10 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Bears are involved, as 58.3 percent of their games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, West Virginia owns records of 22-9 SU and 13-14 ATS. A little over half of Mountaineers games have also finished under the total.
The Mountaineers have emerged victorious in both contests against the Bears this year, including a 71-60 victory in their last matchup. West Virginia covered as a 1-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 131 points, which was 9.5 points below the projected point total of 140.5 points. West Virginia’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Baylor. The Mountaineers had a rate of 0.500 while the Bears posted a mark of 0.353. Konate recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Baylor Bears vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Pick
Free Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Baylor, ATS Winner – Baylor, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
West Virginia ranks 49th in three pointers attempted per game (25.2) while Baylor ranks 280th (17.9).
The Mountaineers rank 13th in steals per game (8.1) while the Bears rank 190th (5.5).
West Virginia averages 5.2 blocks per game, which ranks 15th in the NCAA. Baylor ranks 186th in blocks allowed per game (4.3).
The Mountaineers average 15.2 assists per game, which ranks 71st in the NCAA. The Bears rank 213th in assists allowed per game (14.4).
Baylor ranks 37th in rebounds allowed per game (32.0) while West Virginia ranks 146th (34.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Baylor is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
West Virginia is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Bears have been outscored by an average of 1.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Baylor has defeated opponents by an average of 6.3 points.
During their last five games, the Mountaineers have scored an average of 77.6 points per game (2.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.6 points per game (4.7 above their season average).
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