West Virginia vs. Houston College Basketball Predictions, Picks, Odds

The top two teams in the Big 12 face off as West Virginia takes on Houston. It’s time to continue our college basketball odds series with West Virginia-Houston prediction and pick.

West Virginia enters the game 12-3 on the year. They opened 4-1, and their only loss was against Pitt, 86-62. However, they had a win over Gonzaga there before falling to Louisville 79-70. West Virginia would go on to win seven straight, including wins over Arizona, Kansas and Oklahoma. They would then fall to Arizona before playing Colorado in their final game. West Virginia dominated early, building an 11-point lead at halftime. Colorado would take the lead, but West Virginia would win 78-70.

Meanwhile, Houston is 12-3 on the year. They would start the year just 4-3, with losses to Auburn, Alabama and San Diego State. Since then, they have won eight consecutive games. In the last game they faced Kansas State. Houston built a 22-point lead in the first half with the help of an 18-2 run. They continued their dominance in the second half, winning 87-57.

Here are West Virginia-Houston College basketball oddscourtesy of FanDuel

College Basketball Odds: West Virginia-Houston Odds

West Virginia: +14.5 (-106)

Moneilines: +1000

Houston: -14.5 (-114)

Coins: -2100

Over: 123.5 (-110)

Under: 123.5 (-110)

How to watch West Virginia vs. Houston

Time: 8:00 PM ET/ 5:00 PM PT

TV: ESPN+

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Why West Virginia will cover the spread/win

West Virginia is ranked No. 42 in KenPom’s rankings. They are 79th in adjusted offensive efficiency, while this year they are 19th in adjusted defensive efficiency. West Virginia has been great on defense this year. They are 19th in the nation in opposing points per game, while they are 10th in effective field goal percentage. They also limit the pass, ranking 22nd in the nation in opponent assists per game.

Javon Small leads West Virginia in scoring and assists this year. He scores 19.8 points per game and adds five assists per game. He also has 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. He is joined in the backfield by Jonathan Powell. Powell is scoring 9.3 points per game while adding 2.2 rebounds per game this year. Finally, Tobi Okani was solid. He scores 8.1 points per game, while adding 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game this year.

In the frontcourt, Amani Hansberry leads the team in rebounds this year. He comes with 5.9 rebounds per game, and adds 9.6 points and 1.3 assists per game. He is joined by Eduardo Andre in the frontcourt. Andre is averaging just 5.9 points per game, but is adding 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.1 blocks per game this year.

Why Houston will cover the spread/win

Houston is ranked third in KenPom’s rankings. They are 14th in adjusted offensive efficiency while ranking first in adjusted defensive efficiency this year. Houston has been dominant on defense this year. They are first in the nation in opponent points per game and are also first in opponent effective field goal percentage. Furthermore, they are sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio this year.

Lj Crier leads the way for Houston, leading the team in scoring this year. He is coming in with 14.1 points per game, while adding 1.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals this year. He is joined by Emmanuel Sharp, who is also averaging 14.1 points per game. Sharp also adds 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Finally, Terrance Arshawneau is coming in with 9.1 points per game while also adding 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

In the frontcourt, J’Van Roberts leads the way. Roberts leads the team in rebounding this year, with 6.7 rebounds per game. He also has 8.9 points, 1.4 assists, one steal and 0.9 blocks per game this year. He is joined in the frontcourt by Joseph Tuggler. Tuggler leads the team in blocks, with 2.5 blocks per game this year. He also scores 6.3 points with 6 rebounds per game.

Final forecast West Virginia-Houston

Several key factors will determine this game between West Virginia and Houston. First, while both defenses are solid, Houston is better on offense. They are 88th in points per game, 85th in effective field goal percentage, and second in the nation in three-point shooting percentage. Meanwhile, West Virginia is 145th in the nation in points per game, 129th in effective field goal percentage and 120th from behind the arc. The second is traffic. West Virginia is 93rd in turnovers and 72nd in opponent turnovers. Meanwhile, Houston is eighth in turnovers and 38th in turnovers this year. Finally, there is a comeback. Houston is 46th in the nation in defensive rebounding percentage while West Virginia is 213.. Take Houston in this one.

Final West Virginia-Houston Prediction and Pick: Houston -14.5 (-114)