The South Dakota State Jackrabbits and West Virginia Mountaineers tip off their college basketball seasons Wednesday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., at 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the South Dakota State-West Virginia college basketball betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
South Dakota State vs. West Virginia: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: South Dakota State +375 (bet $100 to win $375) | West Virginia -500 (bet $500 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: South Dakota State +9.5 (-110) | West Virginia -9.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
South Dakota State vs. West Virginia: Three things to know
- West Virginia opens the season No. 15 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll. The Mountaineers registered a 21-10 regular-season record, including a 16-2 mark on their home floor, but they were just 5-8 in road/neutral-site contests. They were 16-15 ATS last season, while the Under dominated at 21-9-1.
- South Dakota State is projected by many prognosticators to win the Summit League, edging out rival South Dakota. The Jackrabbits won 22 games a season ago, and they were a perfect 16-0 on their home floor. SDSU also went 21-8 ATS, while the Over edged the Under 15-14.
- The Jackrabbits bring back their top four scorers from last season’s talented squad, including the 2019-20 Summit League Player of the Year in F Douglas Wilson. SoDak State struggled defensively last season, though, yielding 70.5 points per game. That’s where West Virginia will go to town, especially in the frontcourt with bigger bodies wearing down the Jackrabbits in the second half.
Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
South Dakota State vs. West Virginia: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
West Virginia 79, South Dakota State 68
Money line (ML)
West Virginia (-500) was originally expected to face Northern Iowa, which would have been a bit of an easier draw, but the lineup at the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic was shuffled due to some COVID-19 issues, and now the Mountaineers face what’s essentially the home side in the opener.
It’s a tough draw, but a good early test for the ranked Mountaineers. Still, it’s too risky to play the Mountaineers at five times your potential return. AVOID.
Against the spread (ATS)
WEST VIRGINIA -9.5 (-110) is going to be a play bettors look at early on and they just shake their heads. South Dakota State could start out hot, as they are playing in their home state, and they’re not a bad team.
Eventually, the talent of the Mountaineers, with frontcourt members Derek Culver and Oscar Tshiebwe, will wear down the Jackrabbits. Bet this lightly, in what will eventually be looked back at as a quality double-digit win for West Virginia.
Over/Under (O/U)
My first inclination is to PASS. The total is set at 146, and it’s going to be super close. Just play the line and live to see another day if you like Overs and Unders.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]