Offense meets defense when the No. 18 West Virginia Mountaineers (7-1) welcome the No. 15 Virginia Cavaliers (8-0) to WVU Coliseum. The game will air on ESPNU at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, 2017.
West Virginia is a 3-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 133.5 points.
Virginia Cavaliers at West Virginia Mountaineers ATS Prediction
In the Cavaliers’ last game, they blew out the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, 75-54. The Cavaliers forced 17 turnovers and held the Mountain Hawks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.9 (below their season average of 25.4). Virginia was lifted by Kyle Guy, who led the team in scoring with 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
The Mountaineers easily got past the NJIT Highlanders in their last contest, 102-69. The Mountaineers forced 19 turnovers and held the Highlanders to an offensive rebounding percentage of 23.7 (below the 31.0 mark opponents have averaged against West Virginia this season). Jevon Carter was the top scorer from either team with 25 points on 7-for-14 shooting.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of West Virginia takes on the elite defense of Virginia. Since the 2016-17 season, the Mountaineers rank 28th in offensive efficiency, while the Cavaliers are fifth in defensive efficiency. Additionally, the Cavaliers have committed the 10th-fewest errors in the nation (turnover percentage of 15.5 percent), while the disruptive defense of the Mountaineers has caused the most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 28.2 percent).
Virginia heads into the contest with records of 8-0 straight up (SU) and 6-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Cavaliers’ 7 games with betting action, five have finished under the total.
West Virginia is 7-1 SU, but they have a difficult time covering the spread (2-3 ATS). Contrary to Virginia, games featuring the Mountaineers have a tendency to go over the total (60.0 percent).
The Mountaineers won the sole contest against the Cavaliers last season, 66-57. The Mountaineers made 16 of their 19 free throws (84.2 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (11.9 vs. 20.7).
Virginia Cavaliers at West Virginia Mountaineers Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
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).
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).
