West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State Odds
| West Virginia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 135.5 -110o / -110u | +145 |
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 135.5 -110o / -110u | -175 |
West Virginia and Oklahoma State are two teams in very similar positions: both are in dire need of a win.
Only one can walk away with a victory when they matchup on Saturday, though.
For the Mountaineers, it's been tough sledding since conference play began. West Virginia was 11-1 before its first Big 12 game, and looked like it could be a serious threat in the conference.
However, after wins against Kansas State and the same Cowboys they will face on Saturday, the Mountaineers dropped seven games in a row.
West Virginia finally managed to stop the bleeding in its last game, beating Iowa State, 79-63. Can it turn a corner here and keep the momentum against an Oklahoma State team its already beaten once this season?
Not if Mike Boynton and his squad have anything to say about it. The Cowboys have had struggles of their own, though, as they're currently 11-12 on the season and just 4-7 in conference play.
The Cowboys enter this game coming off of a 77-73 loss to TCU, and have lost five of their last six games.
The good news for Oklahoma State is it will be at home, where it has been significantly better so far this year. But will it be enough to hold off the Mountaineers?
The Cowboys are a 3.5-point favorite at home.
West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia ranks 101st in adjusted efficiency, per KenPom, but to be honest with you, I'm not sure how.
The Mountaineers are eighth in the Big 12 when it comes to scoring on offense, averaging just 68.5 points per game. They are also the worst in the conference in field goal percentage, hitting just 42% of their shots.
West Virginia is 251st in the NCAA in 3-point percentage, 281st in 2-point percentage and 212th in free throw percentage. The Mountaineers' leading scorer Taz Sherman is averaging 18.7 points per game, but is 32nd in the conference in field goal percentage.
The Mountaineers are a better 3-point shooting team than Oklahoma State, but I wouldn't put much stock in that, as they'll be up against a defense that holds teams to 33.3% from deep.
On the defensive end, the Mountaineers have been much better. They rank 32nd in the country in defensive efficiency, per KenPom.
West Virginia's defense has been specifically great when it comes to forcing turnovers and defending the 3.
West Virginia ranks fifth in the Big 12 in steals, averaging 8.17 per game. The Pokes, however, are first with 9.61 per game.
And while the Mountaineers are second in the conference in blocks at 5.13 per game, once again, OSU is first with 5.22.
Teams have been held to 30.7% from deep against WVU, but it won't be much help against the Pokes, who rank outside the top 300 in 3-point attempts and makes.
So, while the West Virginia defense has been respectable, it doesn't matchup well against Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Oklahoma State offense, surprisingly, has somehow been worse than West Virginia. The Cowboys are averaging just under one more point per game than WVU at 69.3 per contest.
But when it comes to shooting, they are among the worst.
OSU is 316th in 3-point percentage, and even worse from the line, hitting just 66.4% from the charity stripe.
But their biggest issue has been turnovers. The Cowboys are 309th in turnover percentage, giving up an average of 14.9 per game.
Oklahoma State's defense has been one of the best in the country, ranking 19th in adjusted efficiency. It is one of the best at creating turnovers and defending 2-point shots, where WVU gets 24% of its points.
The Mountaineers already struggle on offense, and against this defense, it's hard to see how they can find any success.
West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State Betting Pick
Both of these teams need a win bad. However, both struggle considerably on the offensive end, and have been able to make an impact on defense. So, rather than counting on one team to want it more than the other, I feel much more confident taking the under here.
West Virginia and Oklahoma State combine to turn the ball over 30.8 times per game on average, while also combining to force 33 per game. Yet, they have both struggle to create points off of those turnovers. They foul a lot, but neither has been impressive from the line.
There is the risk because they're both above average in tempo, but I think the turnovers and fouls they accrue will prevent this game from developing any kind of consistency or rhythm.
Take the under down to 133.5 in what I expect to be a messy game.
