The WVU Mountaineers basketball team continues their enchanting start to the 2019 season.
With an incredible second-half performance, Coach Huggins and his Morgantown squad caused a major upset by defeating the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes.
Miles McBride, a freshman, made an unexpected impact for the Mountaineers as he came off the bench and scored 21 points. He made six out of 12 shots, including three from beyond the arc, helping improve WVU’s season record to 11-1.
The Mountaineers, who were down by six at halftime, staged an incredible comeback in the second half, outscoring the Buckeyes by 14 points. This victory marks their fourth consecutive win after suffering their sole loss of the year to St. John’s.
It’s sweet 16 for WVU Hoops – at least for now
WVU’s impressive win on the road resulted in a significant jump in their ranking, moving them up from 22nd to 16th in the latest AP Top 25. Meanwhile, Ohio State slipped to No. 5 after suffering their second loss.
WVU showcased an exceptional defensive performance, compelling OSU to surrender 22 turnovers. Notably, the Mountaineers limited their opponents to a mere 22 points in the second half, a significant improvement compared to the 37 points conceded in the first half.
In a game where WVU’s usual top scorers struggled, McBride’s season-high points proved to be vital. Surprisingly, the team’s bench players outperformed the starting unit, contributing a total of 45 points.
Chase Harler, a senior, contributed 10 points, helping the Mountaineers maintain their position at the top of the Big 12 Conference.
However, things won’t become any easier going forward. WVU will face the daunting task of traveling to Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday to take on the formidable third-ranked Kansas Jayhawks.
Despite the conclusion of college football bowl season, West Virginia sportsbooks are witnessing a substantial amount of betting on college basketball. The impressive beginning of the Mountaineers in 2019 is expected to persist, attracting even more wagers as the New Year commences.
WVU’s triumph over Ohio State, though occurring outside the conference, is bound to be one of their standout wins this season. When March Madness arrives, this victory will significantly enhance their tournament resume, adding a touch of brilliance.
If WVU continues its winning streak, there will be no need to be concerned about securing a tournament bid. Only four more wins are required for the Mountaineers to equal last year’s 15-win record.
We should analyze their impressive victory over Ohio State and look ahead to the upcoming game against Kansas.
WVU men’s basketball pull off the upset
As the opening half approached its final minutes, the outlook for WVU seemed grim. Trailing by nine points, their predicament was worsened by multiple players already grappling with foul trouble.
Oscar Tshiebwe, the remarkable freshman, stood out as the player most affected by fouls. Unfortunately, he was unable to contribute to the score, as he was limited to just eight minutes of play due to four untimely personal fouls.
Coach Huggins had confidence in his team’s potential to perform better than their early performance indicated. As stated by the Associated Press, he expressed this belief.
At halftime, my dissatisfaction with them stemmed from our lack of effort compared to their team and our struggle with fouls. However, in the second half, they impressed me with their defensive performance, matching our best display of the year.
McBride and Harler were the top scorers for WVU, but several other Mountaineers also contributed. Among them, starters Derek Culver and Emmitt Matthews Jr. each had at least five points, along with three other players.
Once again, Culver led the team by securing 10 rebounds.
Despite the challenges, the Mountaineers will gladly accept the hard-earned victory in any way possible. This win marks an impressive milestone for Huggins, as it becomes his 19th triumph against a top 10 team since becoming WVU’s head coach.
A total of twelve mountaineers had the opportunity to play, showcasing the ultimate display of teamwork.
Despite their struggles from the free-throw line, the team performed exceptionally well in every other aspect. They had an overall field goal percentage of over 40% and made eight out of 20 shots from beyond the arc.
The program achieved a tremendous victory, setting the ideal momentum for the upcoming conference play.
WVU basketball betting predictions
Despite WVU’s current success, maintaining focus will be crucial for the team to compete in their upcoming game. The Mountaineers will kick off 2020 by traveling to Lawrence to face the Jayhawks, who are considered favorites in the Big-12.
With a 10-2 record, Kansas will step into this game. The team faced defeat in its first match against Duke and experienced a heart-wrenching loss on the road against Villanova. However, in the midst of these setbacks, the Jayhawks managed to secure nine consecutive wins, which included a triumphant victory over No. 20 ranked Colorado.
The University of Kansas emerged victorious in their most recent game against Stanford, triumphing with a score of 72-56 on the away court.
Devon Dotson, the talented guard, spearheads the Jayhawks with an exceptional inside-outside combination. Dotson impressively averages close to 19 points and five assists per game, in addition to recording over two steals per contest.
Udoka Azubuike, the senior big man, provides invaluable support to him. The towering seven-footer is currently maintaining an average of:
- 13 points
- 9 boards
- Almost two blocks
Guards Ochai Agbaji and Marcus Garrett play crucial roles as well, contributing significantly to the team. Both players have extensive playing time, averaging over 28 minutes per game, and maintain an impressive shooting percentage of over 47% from the field.
Although the Mountaineers anticipate a challenging afternoon, the timing of this game couldn’t be better. The team is brimming with self-assurance and refuses to be daunted by the formidable opponent’s high ranking.
Playing this game in early January is also advantageous. Since the schedule has just begun conference games, Kansas may be more prone to experiencing a home loss before reaching its full potential later in the season.
Despite the extended breaks caused by the holidays during this time of year, coach Bill Self will ensure his team is well-prepared. With three appearances in the Final Four, including a victory in 2008 when KU emerged as champions, coach Self’s experience speaks for itself.
It would be an extraordinary achievement for WVU to win consecutive games against the top five teams. Although fans might feel disappointed in the event of a loss, it is not unusual for the Mountaineers to experience a slight decline in performance after such a significant victory.
If they manage to succeed, it would mark one of the finest beginnings for WVU in recent times.
Betting odds at WV sportsbooks
The online sports betting apps in the Mountain State do not currently offer any betting lines as the game is scheduled for the weekend. However, these lines will be made available on both mobile options later in the week.
Regrettably, supporters of WVU will be disappointed to learn that according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Mountaineers have a mere 17% likelihood of achieving a 12-1 record upon returning home.
After witnessing the impressive performance by the talented WVU Hoops team, sportsbooks in WV couldn’t help but take notice. Regardless of the outcome against Kansas, the team’s odds at DraftKings underwent a significant shift following their remarkable upset.
The current futures odds for the Mountaineers are reported by both online platforms.
| DraftKings Sportsbook | FanDuel Sportsbook | |
|---|---|---|
| Big 12 Conference Champion | +400 | +400 |
| Final Four Appearance | +650 | +450 |
| National Champions | +3000 | +2600 |
| Updated: Feb. 6, 2020 |
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