Kansas State at West Virginia Odds, Betting Prediction & TV Info

Posted by Kenny Bell on Thursday,February 9, 2017 10:24, EDT in

NCAA Basketball News, Betting Tips, Picks & Previews

At 16-8 overall and 5-6 in the Big 12, Kansas State is definitely on the NCAA Tournament bubble. However, a Wildcats’ upset win at No. 13 West Virginia early on Saturday afternoon likely would get them off said bubble for time being. However, WVU is tough to beat a home and a solid NCAA basketball betting favorite.

Kansas State at West Virginia Odds, Betting Prediction & TV Info

When: Saturday, Feb. 11, Noon ET
Where: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WVA
TV: ESPN
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Kansas State / West Virginia
Opening NCAAB Lines: WVU favored TBA

Why Bet On K-State?

The Wildcats played really well on Tuesday but lost 74-71 to rival and No. 3 Kansas. After K-State tied the game at 63-all on sophomore forward Dean Wade’s third 3-point field goal of the evening with 2:53 to play, Kansas scored six straight points to take control of the game. The Wildcats closed to within 72-69 on a 3-pointer by sophomore Kamau Stokes with 22 seconds to play, but junior guard Devonte’ Graham canned a pair of free throws with 17 seconds to end any further comeback.

The loss overshadowed an impressive night for Wade, who scored 20 points for the second consecutive meeting with the Jayhawks on 8-of- 12 field goals, including 3-of- 3 from 3-point range, to go with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks in 34 minutes. Wade collected his third career 20-point game and registered his second straight double-digit scoring game after scoring a combined 7 points in the previous 3 games. Stokes joined him in double figures with 16 points, a career-best 8 rebounds and 2 assists, while senior guard Wesley Iwundu collected his seventh career double-double, including his second this season, with 13 points, a game-high 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Senior forward D.J. Johnson added 14 points and 3 blocks.

K‐State scored 74 points on 38.2 percent shooting (26‐of‐68), including 36.4 percent (8‐of‐22) from 3‐point range, and went 64.7 percent (11‐of‐17) from the free throw line. The Wildcats have now scored 70 or more points in 15 of their 22 games. K‐State out‐rebounded the Jayhawks by 11, which included a season high 20 offensive rebounds.

KSU fell to 59‐22 under Bruce Weber and 12‐5 this season when connecting on at least six 3‐point field goals. K-State has made at least nine 3‐pointers in 24 games this season. The Wildcats have made at least one 3‐pointer in 297 consecutive games dating back to start of 2008‐09 season. K‐State fell to 11‐3 in home games this season.

Why Bet On West Virginia?

West Virginia is ranked No. 13 in the Associated Press poll and No. 14 in the latest USA Today Coaches poll. The Mountaineers began the season No. 20 in the AP poll and No. 18 in the USA Today Coaches poll. WVU has been ranked as high as No. 7 (three times in the AP poll) in both polls this season.

This season, West Virginia became the first team since Indiana in 2011-12 to beat No. 1 and No. 2 in the same season. This season marks the first time WVU has defeated three AP Top 10 teams in the same season, and the first time WVU has ever beaten three AP Top 6 teams in the same year.

West Virginia was predicted to finish second in the Big 12 Conference preseason coaches’ poll. Last year, the Mountaineers were predicted to finish sixth and finished second in the Big 12 regular season and conference tournament. In 11 of the last 14 seasons, the Mountaineers have finished higher than or equal to their preseason prediction.

The Mountaineers have won 72 of their last 103 conference games at the WVU Coliseum. West Virginia is 115-32 at the WVU Coliseum under Bob Huggins, including a 59-28 mark in league games. WVU is 524-152 (.781) all-time at the WVU Coliseum and 156-38 at the WVU Coliseum in the last 13 seasons. Under Huggins at the WVU Coliseum, WVU is averaging 80.9 ppg while holding its opponents to 62.9 ppg.

West Virginia looks for payback after losing to the Wildcats 79-75 in Manhattan on Jan. 21. Stokes and Barry Brown each scored 13 points to help Kansas State rally. The Mountaineers trailed 65-55 with 7:43 left before taking a 68-67 lead on Nathan Adrian’s jumper with just under 5 minutes left. Turnovers by the Mountaineers would eventually be their undoing as they committed 23 in the loss. Tarik Phillip led West Virginia with 20 points.