NCAAB Betting? Mountaineers vs Wildcats Predictions
Sweet 16 Midwest Region action sees the Kentucky Wildcats taking on the West Virginia Mountaineers at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Cappers Picks provides free NCAA basketball handicapping tips all season long.
Their quest for a perfect season rolls along as the Kentucky Wildcats meet with the West Virginia Mountaineers in Cleveland, Ohio for some Sweet 16 action.
NCAA Basketball Odds
SWEET 16
Kentucky Wildcats (34-0) vs. West Virginia (23-9)
Thursday, March 26
9:45 PM ET
Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
CBS
NCAA Basketball Odds: Kentucky -13.5
NCAA Basketball O/U: 136.5
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Kentucky hasn’t been tested through the first two rounds of the tournament, but this will obviously be their toughest test thus far. Deemed the name “Press Virginia” the high flying Mountaineers will look to cause havoc and give the Wildcats some fits Thursday night.
Kentucky
The overall number one seed out of the Midwest region gets ready for another step in their chase for history as they take on the Mountaineers. Sitting with 34 wins, the Wildcats look are now just 4 wins away from a perfect 38-0 season. Things will not be easy as the Wildcats have not seen a press like the one they will get on Thursday.
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Kentucky easily knocked off 16th seeded Hampton and pulled away from the 8 seed Bearcats of Cincinnati in round of 32 action.
The Wildcats have prided themselves on defense all season long. Allowing just an average of 53.9 points a game, Kentucky likes to control the clock and keep the ball moving on offense.
Leading the way for Kentucky is Freshman F Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns has been impressive this season averaging 10.0 points a game and grabbing 6.8 rebounds. He’s had an excellent tournament going for 21 against Hampton and scoring 8 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in the win over Cincinnati. The Freshman has shot 10 of 16 combined in the 2 games.
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Kentucky has gone 0-2 ATS in both tournament games.
West Virginia
The Mountaineers are as confident as anyone that they can knock off the top ranked and undefeated team in the nation. West Virginia got past Buffalo in the first round thanks to a late 3 pointer and then overwhelmed the Terrapins in with their press defense. West Virginia has shown consistency throughout the entire season and are very capable of staying close with Kentucky.
The Mountaineers are led by Senior G Juwan Staten. The Senior guard is averaging 14.2 points a game this season. Staten scored 15 points and dished out 7 assists in the win over Buffalo and then went for 6 points and 6 assists in the victory over Maryland.
West Virginia forced 23 turnovers in their win over Maryland in the round of 32. That overshadows the 17 they forced against Buffalo in their first game. West Virginia is causing problems for the opposition with their press and traps.
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If West Virginia has one thing going for them, it’s history. Head coach Bob Huggins is 8-2 in his career against John Calipari.
NCAA Basketball Trends:
- Mountaineers are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 NCAA Tournament games.
- Mountaineers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
- Wildcats are 7-3-2 ATS in their last 12 games overall.
- Wildcats are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Free 4* NCAA Basketball Pick: West Virginia +13.5
The Mountaineers have a legit shot here.
Kentucky 71, West Virginia 67
If they can force their share of turnovers, this game could come down to the wire. Grab the points, with an outside chance of an outright winner.
Check out our Updated College Hoops Betting Odds.
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