Editor’s Note: On Thursday, the Big 12 Conference made the decision to cancel its basketball championships.
The West Virginia University men’s basketball team had different expectations for the 2019-20 regular season than finishing in the middle of the Big 12 Conference. However, their performance in the final games indicated the potential they had for the tournament.
The Big 12 Tournament is about to witness the arrival of WVU hoops, as they carry a strong wave of late-season momentum.
If the Mountaineers can carry that momentum into a strong performance in Kansas City, it would greatly contribute to their desired position when March Madness begins.
After being sidelined last year, WV sports betting apps will now offer college basketball betting odds during the NCAA tournament for the first time.
How the Big 12 Tournament field shapes up
Avoiding playing on Thursday, the Mountaineers arrive at the Sprint Center as the sixth seed. WVU is all set for an enthralling Friday night clash against third-seeded Oklahoma.
During the regular season, the Sooners emerged victorious in both encounters against the Mountaineers. However, these wins were overshadowed by a dismal 1-6 performance that marked the end of February.
The arrival of March brought immense relief to perhaps no other team in the conference. WVU showcased notable improvement during their game against Iowa State and concluded their regular season with a triumphant victory over Baylor at home.
If Baylor wins their game on Friday against the winner of Thursday’s Kansas State-TCU match, they may have to face the second-seeded Bears again on Saturday.
As the Mountaineers step onto the court for their game, they will already be aware of their opponent since WVU will be playing the last game in the quarterfinal round.
It’s a daunting task to take on Oklahoma and beat the Bears twice in just one week. Nevertheless, making it to the tournament final would greatly enhance the Mountaineers’ seeding for the more crucial tournament.
Where WVU hoops currently sits for March Madness
Before the team’s performance in Kansas City this week, WVU has been projected as high as a six seed by several notable bracketologists.
In the event that the Sooners defeat the Mountaineers for the third time this year, it is highly likely that their seeding will be negatively affected. There is a possibility that WVU might find themselves placed on the opposing side of the 6-11 matchup.
Simultaneously, if the Mountaineers secure a victory on Friday, it would validate their significant improvement after the dreadful late February period. Although it may only lead to a slight improvement in their tournament seeding, potentially elevating them to a five seed, WVU should not drop below a six seed.
Securing two wins, particularly if it comes against the Bears on Saturday, could potentially propel the Mountaineers into the top 16 overall seeds of the tournament. This noteworthy achievement would be a remarkable signature win for the team.
Although a loss to top-seeded Kansas in the Big 12 tournament final would be disappointing for WVU, it shouldn’t have a significant impact on their overall performance. Naturally, Mountaineer fans would be thrilled to witness their team lifting the trophy.
No matter the extent of WV’s progress, West Virginia sports betting enthusiasts can experience a sense of victory by making wise wagers, as the state’s sports betting apps are fully equipped to cater to their needs.
Current lines on WV at in-state online sportsbooks
The Mountaineers are considered third-tier favorites to win the tournament, with odds of +400 at both BetMGM Sportsbook WV and DraftKings Sportsbook WV. Kansas holds the top spot as the favorite, with Baylor following closely behind at both books.
However, FanDuel Sportsbook differs slightly by offering Texas Tech slightly lower odds to win the championship in Kansas City this week. In contrast, WVU has odds of +900 to achieve the same victory.
Currently, FanDuel offers the Mountaineers the highest odds of winning the NCAA tournament at +4500. In the same market, BetMGM and DraftKings both set WVU’s odds at +4000.
The books currently do not have any lines for Friday’s game against Oklahoma. However, it is anticipated that this will change later in the week. It is expected that the Sooners will be favored, although with a modest spread and a low point total.
If the Mountaineers can make it to the Big 12 tournament final, they have a good chance of establishing themselves as one of the top 16 seeds in the NCAA tournament. However, they must be cautious and overcome any obstacles that may arise in the month of February.
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