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Game Preview & NCAAB Betting Pick: Oklahoma vs. West Virginia

Written by on January 4, 2018

It has been a bit of an unpredictable start to the college basketball season, and with conference play now underway, things might start to get even murkier. Just when you think you know which team is going to go out and be the one to beat every night, they go out and lose. Can you remember the last time we reached conference play in the NCAAB and did not have at least one undefeated team? It’s a bit of a level playing field at the moment, which is certainly a good thing for the average college basketball fan, although it does make things a little tougher for those of us who like to get involved in the NCAAB betting action. We have another very good one ready to go on Saturday night, with the #6 Oklahoma Sooners taking on the #7 West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown in what could well be a Big 12 classic. Both teams are coming in on hot winning streaks, so once the NCAAB odds are up choosing a winner in this one is going to be no easy feat, but that is exactly what we are going to do.

Sooners vs. Mountaineers Game Preview & NCAAB Betting Pick

  • When: Saturday, January 6, 7:15 PM EST
  • Where: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown
  • TV: ESPN2
  • Radio: 1520 AM (Oklahoma) / 100.9 FM (West Virginia)
  • Live Stream: Watch ESPN
  • NCAAB Betting Odds: TBA

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Team Records

  • All: Oklahoma Sooners 12-1 / West Virginia Mountaineers 13-1
  • Home: Oklahoma Sooners 8-1 / West Virginia Mountaineers 9-1
  • Away: Oklahoma Sooners 4-0 / West Virginia Mountaineers 4-0
  • As Favorite: Oklahoma Sooners 9-1 / West Virginia Mountaineers 9-1
  • As Underdog: Oklahoma Sooners 2-0 / West Virginia Mountaineers 0-0
  • ATS: Oklahoma Sooners 6-6 / West Virginia Mountaineers 5-5
  • Over/Under: Oklahoma Sooners 11-1 / West Virginia Mountaineers 5-5

Why should the Sooners be your NCAAB Betting Pick?

The Sooners come into this one with a 12-1 record, with their lone loss on the season coming against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Since that loss, the Sooners have reeled off 10-straight wins, which includes a couple of victories over ranked opponents. Oklahoma also happens to be one of the more entertaining teams to watch, especially if you are a fan of high-scoring college basketball. The Sooners lead the nation with a 95.8 PPG average, but they are way down the rankings in defense, giving up close to 81 PPG. They seem to have adopted an attacking style of basketball, and while it has worked for them so far, they had better hope that their best offensive players do not have an off night this weekend. Oklahoma has played 2 games in Big 12 play, winning both, including a 90-89 thriller against #10 ranked TCU.

Team Statistics

  • Points Per Game: 95.8
  • Rebounds Per Game: 40.2
  • Assists Per Game: 19.5
  • Points Allowed: 80.6

Why should the Mountaineers be your NCAAB Betting Pick?

The West Virginia Mountaineers came into this season among the favorites to win it all, but things got off to a rough start with an opening night loss to a ranked Texas A&M team. The Mountaineers responded very well to that loss, and have since reeled off 13 straight wins, including a very nice 68-61 win over the Virginia Cavaliers, who were ranked #15 at that time. The Mountaineers are in the top 30 in scoring with 84 PPG, which is certainly not enough to keep pace with what the Sooners can do on the offensive side of the court. The Mountaineers could come as slight NCAAB Betting Favorite against Oklahoma. If the Mountaineers are to win this one, they are going to need to lean heavily on their defensive play, which has been solid in allowing roughly 65 PPG. Home court advantage could well play a role in how things go in this one, as I expect that the Mountaineers fans will be very vocal when facing one of their toughest conference foes.

Team Statistics

  • Points Per Game: 84.2
  • Rebounds Per Game: 40.6
  • Assists Per Game: 16.4
  • Points Allowed: 64.9

Latest NCAAB Betting Trends

  • Oklahoma is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • Oklahoma is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma’s last 5 games on the road
  • West Virginia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • West Virginia is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of West Virginia’s last 6 games

Expert NCAAB Betting Pick & Final Score Prediction

The Mountaineers are going to need to try and come out and control the temp on Saturday night, which is a task that is easier said than done against the Sooners. I think Oklahoma will prevail in a very close one. Score: Oklahoma Sooners 80 – West Virginia Mountaineers 79