West Virginia vs Kansas College Basketball Picks and Tips 1/4/2020

Game: West Virginia Mountaineers vs Kansas Jayhawks

Date: Saturday, January 4, 2020

Location: Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Kansas -10.5

Total/Over-Under: 142.5

The West Virginia Mountaineers travel to Allen Fieldhouse to play the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, January 4, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Kansas as 10.5 point favorites.

West Virginia heads into this matchup with a mark of 11-1. They currently have a point differential of 12.8 as they are averaging 74.8 points per contest while giving up 62.0 per game. Kansas has an overall record of 10-2. They are averaging 81.1 points per game and surrendering 62.3, good for a point differential of 18.8.

Valuable West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Trends

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 6-6-0 against the spread

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 3-9-0 against the over/under

Important Kansas Jayhawks Betting Trends

The Kansas Jayhawks are 7-5-0 against the spread

The Kansas Jayhawks are 4-8-0 against the over/under

Key West Virginia Mountaineers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Kansas Jayhawks Injuries

12/29/19 G Marcus Garrett Ankle is questionable
11/09/19 F Jalen Wilson Ankle is out indefinitely
11/05/19 F Mitch Lightfoot Redshirt is out for season

Player Spotlight

Derek Culver averages 11.0 points per game in 24.1 minutes per contest. He averages 1.9 assists per contest and 9.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%. Oscar Tshiebwe comes into this contest averaging 11.8 points per game while playing 21.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 8.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 0.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is at 64%.

Player Spotlight

Udoka Azubuike averages 13.0 points per game and he sees the court an average of 26.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.8 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 80% and his free throw percentage is 32%. Devon Dotson averages 18.8 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 4.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Mountaineers allow 62.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 42nd in Division 1. They also allow a 36% shooting percentage and a 25% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.4 rebounds a game which ranks 141st, and they give up 8.7 assists per contest which puts them in 6th place in the NCAA. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 244th in the nation. West Virginia averages 74.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 116th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 12.8 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 178th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 236th in D-1. They average 42.2 rebounds per game and 13.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 10th and 161st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 115th with 14.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Jayhawks surrender 62.3 points per contest, which ranks them 49th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 38% shooting percentage and a 29% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 44th in those defensive statistics. They rank 149th with 12.1 assists allowed per contest, and 30th with 30.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Jayhawks are 285th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 16.0 per game. Kansas is 19th in the country with 81.1 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the D-1 in shooting at 52%, while their average scoring margin is 18.8. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 46th in the nation. They are 61st in the country in rebounding with 39.3 boards per game and 25th in assists per contest with 16.7. The Jayhawks are 114th in turnovers per game with 14.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Mountaineers are 139th in the nation in offensive rating with 103.6. In terms of pace they are 95th in the country with 72.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 251st. As a team they are 243rd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 328th in Division 1. West Virginia is 176th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Kansas is 129th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.4 times per 100 possessions. The Jayhawks are 20th in the country in offensive rating with 112. In terms of pace they are 117th in Division 1 with 71.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 58% is 6th. As a team they are 9th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 262nd in the nation.

Who will win tonight's West Virginia/Kansas college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Kansas -10.5

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