West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Oklahoma Sooners Preview
Where: Lloyd Noble Center — Norman, Oklahoma
When: Wednesday, February 8, 2017, 9:00 PM ET
Line: West Virginia Mountaineers (-7) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (+7) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN2
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Betting on the West Virginia Mountaineers (18-5, 6-4 Big 12)
Point Spread: -7
No. 13 West Virginia, for some strange reason, struggles against weaker foes. As proof, the team’s four losses in conference play have come against programs in the bottom half of the standings, including last month’s overtime home loss to Oklahoma, 89-87.
That setback was one of the biggest upsets of the season, which should likely serve as motivation for the Mountaineers in tonight’s rematch. They won’t be walking in with momentum, however, after splitting their last six games. They’re also coming off an 82-75 loss to a red-hot Oklahoma State team that shot the lights out against them.
Speaking of which, West Virginia’s defense has lost some of its edge lately, allowing 77.0 points in the last three games. The Mountaineers, though, still lead the country in forcing turnovers with at least 22 per game. That’s largely thanks to junior guard Jevon Carter, who averages 2.9 steals per contest.
Betting on the Oklahoma Sooners (8-14, 2-8 Big 12)
Point Spread: +7
Oklahoma’s last win came against West Virginia, and since then, the team’s lost five in a row with the latest of which against a 77-69 loss at Texas Tech.
Rookie Kameron McGusty had 16 points to lead three other starters who scored in double digits for the Sooners, who fell to 2-8 in conference play after that loss. Last year’s Final Four appearance seems like a very distant memory.
As for tonight’s regular-season finale with the Mountaineers, the only positive thing—aside from beating West Virginia last month—the Sooners can take into this game is the fact that they’ll be at home, where seven of their total wins have come from.
Other than that, there’s almost zero chance for Oklahoma to win, unless leading scorer Jordan Woodard, who’s been held to just 6.5 points over the past four games, can get off his slump and ignite the offense. The Sooners are racking up 75.1 points per game, but are yielding just as much to opponents.
Writer’s Prediction
West Virginia (-7) wins and covers.
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