Lately, the WVU Mountaineers men’s basketball team has been in top form. With a winning streak of seven consecutive games, they are determined to extend it to eight on Wednesday night.
In Morgantown, the WVU basketball team will be taking on Youngstown State on their home court.
Based on West Virginia sportsbooks, the Mountaineers are predicted to win their final game before the holiday break with a significant advantage. The point spread suggests that the home team has a lead of approximately -15.
Despite their impressive 10-1 overall record, WVU has yet to secure a spot in the rankings. However, the Mountaineers are on the cusp of breaking into the AP Top 25, trailing closely behind Oklahoma with 57 votes, as the team with the second-highest number of votes.
Coach Bob Huggins’ team may regain their spot in the rankings with a win this week and a stroke of luck in their favor.
Despite not being considered a college basketball powerhouse, YSU currently holds a notable 7-3 record, with an impressive streak of five consecutive wins.
In order to achieve an 11-1 record, WVU must improve their basketball performance and play at a higher quality level.
Mountaineers Defeat UAB
On Saturday, WVU secured its 10th win of the early season by defeating UAB on the road. Despite being considered an underdog by about four points according to bookmakers, WVU emerged victorious, thanks to a remarkable performance in the second half.
The Mountaineers, who only managed to score 26 points in the first 20 minutes, ultimately seized control as the game progressed.
Around the seven-minute point, they began to make defensive stops and successfully converted them into scoring opportunities on the opposing side of the court. They seized the lead with approximately three minutes remaining and held onto it until the end.
The team and supporters at WV online sportsbooks were thrilled with the 65-59 final score, which turned out to be a fantastic outcome. WVU had a spread of approximately +3.5, making it even more impressive.
In general, the team’s field goal percentage exceeded 44%, with Taz Sherman and Sean McNeil leading the way once more. Despite their less than stellar shooting performances, they managed to accumulate a total of 29 points together.
Senior Kedrian Johnson was the second highest scorer on the squad, contributing nine points, as a total of 10 Mountaineers scored in this game.
Although the Mountaineers did not perform at their peak level in the game, they managed to secure a victory by doing just enough. In addition, they outrebounded their opponent for the second consecutive time, which is usually a weak point for them.
Although not the most glamorous win, it held significant importance. WVU had participated in numerous neutral-site games, but this was their inaugural true away game. Moreover, the opponent, UAB, had an impressive record of 7-0 on their home court.
Although this victory will not guarantee the Mountaineers a spot in the tournament, it has the potential to generate some momentum.
WVU Basketball Odds At WV Sportsbooks
They have now arrived back home and their focus shifts to Youngstown State. The Penguins currently boast a 7-3 season record and are showing positive progress.
Although many schools on their schedule may be unfamiliar, YSU started off the year with a game against Penn State, which they lost by a margin of 15 points.
Currently, the team seems to be excelling in basketball, demonstrating improved performance and consistently scoring a high number of points in recent games. Throughout their ongoing winning streak, the Penguins have maintained an average of 78 points per game.
Senior forward Michael Akuchie is the leading force in Youngstown, consistently delivering impressive performances with an average of more than 13 points and seven rebounds per game. Additionally, guard Tevin Olison makes a significant contribution to the team’s scoring, averaging just under 13 points.
Similar to many skilled teams, Youngstown has a few more players on their roster who are capable of contributing to the scoreboard. Youngstown introduces three extra guards who each have an average of approximately 10 points per game.
In contrast, WVU has been successful in restricting many of its opponents, allowing fewer than 60 points in 2021 on only three occasions.
Currently, the Mountaineers are favored by 16 points according to the spread listed on DraftKings WV Sportsbook. Additionally, their moneyline stands at -1375, indicating a strong likelihood of their victory. On the other hand, Youngstown State is the underdog, receiving the points and is displayed at +800 for a potential outright win in the game.
The total points set for this one on the online sportsbook is 131.5.
After a sluggish performance in the previous competition, the Mountaineers might be prepared to showcase their best on Wednesday. DraftKings has set a spread of WVU -10 for the first half, with a moneyline of -475. On the other hand, the Penguins have the opportunity to seize the lead at halftime with odds of +350.
Although first-half bets can be challenging, it is worth considering their potential value given the significantly high odds for the entire game.
Before heading to Austin to face Texas on New Year’s Day, a victory would propel WVU to an impressive 11-1 record.
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