West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Kansas Jayhawks Predictions, Picks and Preview – March 3, 2015

The first time Kansas and West Virginia met this season, it came down to the very last play. The Mountaineers somehow pulled out a win with a clutch layup in the dying seconds. However, their game-winner, senior Juwan Staten, may not be able to suit up for their trip to Lawrence. Can Kansas capitalize on this potentially good fortune and win their final Big 12 regular season home game?

Get ready for this massive Big 12 matchup with our complete breakdown of the two teams below, and don’t miss out on all the basketball action Tuesday night with our look at the NBA’s Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks.
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West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview

Where: Phog Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence

When: Tuesday, March 3, 9:00 PM ET

Line: West Virginia Mountaineers (+9.5) at Kansas Jayhawks (-9.5); total 140.5 – view all NCAA Basketball lines

Betting on the West Virginia Mountaineers

No. 20 West Virginia (22-7, 10-6 Big 12) sorely missed senior point guard Juwan Staten as the Mountaineers fell, 78-66, to No. 19 Baylor at Waco on Saturday. Freshman Jevon Carter stepped up in Staten’s absence to drop a conference-high 25 points, including 7-of-13 from three against the Bears, but he was just one of two Mountaineers in double figures. Fellow freshman Daxter Miles Jr. had 11.

[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Staten’s status against Kansas is still uncertain, but the Mountaineers will have to hope the senior is finally good to go. Staten dropped 20 points, including the miraculous game-winning layup in West Virginia’s 62-61 upset over the Jayhawks in Morgantown on Feb. 16.

West Virginia could also be without their other senior guard for their trip to Lawrence after Gary Browne (seven points per game) injured his ankle in the win against Baylor. Browne’s 18 points against Oklahoma State on Feb. 21 were instrumental in the Mountaineers claiming their only road win this season against a ranked opponent.

In case Staten and/or Browne can’t go, West Virginia will need another show-stopping performance from Carter for the team to stand any chance. The freshman was the only other Mountaineer in double figures against Kansas with 13 points.

West Virginia could also use some significant contribution from second-leading scorer Devin Williams (10.8 points per game) against Kansas. Williams has been slumping of late, and is averaging just over seven points per game in his last six.

Betting on the Kansas Jayhawks

No. 8 Kansas (23-6, 12-4 Big 12) maintained its narrow one-game lead at the top of the Big 12 with a big 69-64 win over Texas last Saturday. Perry Ellis poured in a season-high 28 points, his third straight game of 23 or more points.

Kansas has had its issues on the road, where it has suffered all four of its conference losses this year. The last two losses at West Virginia (62-61) and at Kansas State (70-63) were particularly painful. But the Jayhawks have been more stable at home with a perfect 8-0 conference record.

Freshman Kelly Oubre Jr. has had some of his finest performances of the season at The Phog. He dropped 19 points on No. 19 Oklahoma, 16 on No. 11 Iowa State, and 18 on No. 16 Baylor as Kansas won and covered all three games. Kansas will need Oubre to keep his streak of stellar home games going to bring down the Mountaineers.

Likewise, the Jayhawks will also be counting on Perry Ellis and Frank Mason III to replicate their combined 37-point performance against West Virginia. Ellis is playing his best basketball of the season, averaging 22 points in his last five games, while Mason could directly benefit from the absence of West Virginia’s seniors, Staten and Browne.

Writer’s Prediction

With West Virginia’s senior guards banged up, Kansas is able to take care of business and covers at home. Create a betting account now to cash in on some potentially profitable injuries in college hoops.
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