The 8th-seeded West Virginia Mountaineers (19-13) battle the 1st-seeded Kansas Jayhawks (25-6) Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament. Tip from T-Mobile Center is set for 3 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the West Virginia vs. Kansas odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
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The Jayhawks beat the Mountaineers 76-74 in Kansas on Feb. 25 and 76-72 in West Virginia on Jan. 7. They are 1-1 against the spread (ATS) over the series and the Under connected in both meetings.
Kansas had a 7-game win streak snapped with a 75-59 loss at Texas in its regular-season finale Saturday. That win streak included the victory over WVU, a home win over Baylor and a road win over TCU. The Jayhawks are 14-17 ATS on the season and 16-15 O/U.
West Virginia beat Texas Tech 78-62 in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament Wednesday, covering as a 4-point favorite. It is 4-1 straight up and 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games, with the lone loss coming at Kansas. The Mountaineers finished the regular season 16-15 ATS and 21-10 O/U.
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West Virginia vs. Kansas odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:16 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): West Virginia +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Kansas -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): West Virginia +3.5 (-110) | Kansas -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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West Virginia vs. Kansas picks and predictions
Prediction
Kansas 76, West Virginia 71
Moneyline
AVOID.
Kansas (-170) won both regular-season matchups — including on West Virginia’s home court and is rested following an opening-round bye. However, this is past my limit for a moneyline wager, particularly when the Jayhawks should win by margin.
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Against the spread
LEAN KANSAS -3.5 (-110).
Kansas covered 5 of its last 8 games to close out the season, winning 7 of them straight up.
It lost the battle on the offensive glass by 7 rebounds and shot just 59% from the free-throw line in its 2-point win over West Virginia on Feb. 25. Those figures should improve for the Jayhawks, and they should be able to pull away.
West Virginia isn’t a deep team and could have some tired legs after having two of its top players on the floor for 38 and 40 minutes Wednesday against Texas Tech.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 148.5 (-105).
The Under was the better side for both regular-season matchups between these two teams, and Kansas does not play at a quick tempo.
The Jayhawks have gone 6-9 O/U in their last 15 outings and have hit the Under in 4 straight games, two of which featured both teams scoring fewer than 70 points.
West Virginia is 2-2 O/U in its last 4 contests and went Under against Texas Tech in its Big 12 Tournament opener.
Take the UNDER 148.5 (-105) here.
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