Monday College Basketball West Virginia vs. Kansas State Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
MANHATTAN, KS (The Spread) – Bob Huggins will return to the Fred Bramlage Coliseum for the first time as an opposing coach when his West Virginia Mountaineers visit the Kansas State Wildcats at 9:00PM ET tonight.
ODDS: Oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv have installed Kansas State as an 11-point favorite versus West Virginia, while the over/under total is currently sitting at 127.5 points. The Mountaineers enter play with a 13-12 overall record and are 6-6 in the Big 12, while the Wildcats are 20-5 overall and 9-3 in conference play.
LINE MOVEMENT: Kansas State opened as 10-point favorite but the spread has been bet up to 11 at most sports books, while the total opened at 126 and is now either 126.5, 127 or 127.5 depending on what book you view.
PUBLIC BETTING: Of the wagers placed on tonight’s game, 59% of college basketball public bettors currently favor Kansas State. This information is subject to change, however, so make sure you click on the link provided for the most up-to-date public betting numbers.
NCAA FREE PICK: Take West Virginia. According to the latest college basketball trends, the Mountaineers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games following an ATS loss while the Wildcats are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games on Monday. Kansas State barely beat West Virginia in the first meeting between these two teams, squeaking out a 65-64 victory. This isn’t a dynamic Mountaineer team but they do have six players who score 7.9 points or more per contest, including freshman Eron Harris (9.2 points). He’s scored in double digits in nine of 10 games since moving to the starting lineup and is averaging 14.4 points per game over that stretch. Look for West Virginia to keep the game close thanks to its defense and foul shooting. Kansas State wins, but doesn’t cover.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL FREE PICK: WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS +11