The No. 19 BYU Cougars hit the road to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday in a Big 12 basketball showdown. BYU is solidly in the NCAA Tournament at this point in the season, while West Virginia is desperately trying to stay on the bubble. BYU is 20-8 and 8-7 in Big 12 play, while West Virginia is 16-11 and 7-8 in the league. Here’s a prediction, preview and updated odds ahead of the game on Saturday afternoon in Morgantown.
BYU vs. West Virginia Game Odds
BYU opened up as a 1.5-point favorite over West Virginia, with the over/under opening at 140.5 total points. By Saturday afternoon, sports books were scattered, with many books still holding the 1.5-point line, but some as high as BYU as a 2.5-point favorite. Meantime, the over/under has come down to 139 or 139.5 total points.
Key Storyline: West Virginia’s Tournament Chances
The Mountaineers were listed under Joe Lunardi‘s “Next, Next Four Out” as of Saturday morning. The reality is that WVU needs to win this game to keep its chances alive of making March Madness. It’s their only ranked game left on the regular season schedule, and it’s also their only Quad 1 win left on the schedule, until, maybe, they get another one in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. Can they take advantage?
Match Up to Watch: BYU’s Offense vs. West Virginia’s Defense
If BYU is going to win this game, they’re going to win it their way, playing a high-scoring, up-tempo game. If West Virginia is going to win, they have to keep this game in the low 70’s, or lower. BYU is the No. 2 scoring team in league play, while West Virginia is dead last at 16th. Whichever team gets the tempo it wants will come away with the win.
Prediction: BYU 78, West Virginia 70
BYU had a letdown game at home this week against UCF, following its upset of Iowa State last weekend. While Morgantown is a tough place to play, and West Virginia’s postseason hopes are on the line, I believe BYU is well positioned to win this game, because WVU just doesn’t have enough offense to keep up. BYU is still looking for a third scorer after Richie Saunders’ injury, to join AJ Dybantsa and Robert Wright, but at least for one day, they won’t need it against a West Virginia team that struggles mightily to score. Combine that with BYU being a Top 2 rebounding team in league play, while WVU is near the bottom of the conference, and I believe the Cougars leave Morgantown with a comfortable win.
