Texas Tech at West Virginia College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/2/2019

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

WVU Coliseum

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders travel to WVU Coliseum to play the West Virginia Mountaineers on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Texas Tech as 3.5 point favorites.

Texas Tech heads into this matchup with a mark of 11-1. They currently have a point differential of 23.1 as they are averaging 75.3 points per contest while giving up 52.3 per game. West Virginia has an overall record of 8-4. They are averaging 79.3 points per game and surrendering 73.3, good for a point differential of 6.1.

Valuable Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Trends

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are 5-7-0 against the spread

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are 3-9-0 against the over/under

Important West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Trends

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 4-8-0 against the spread

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 7-5-0 against the over/under

Key Texas Tech Red Raiders Injuries

11/19/18 F Khavon Moore Leg is out indefinitely

Key West Virginia Mountaineers Injuries

12/22/18 F Sagaba Konate Knee is out 2-4 weeks

Player Spotlight

Jarrett Culver comes into this contest averaging 19.6 points per game while playing 29.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 70%. Matt Mooney averages 10.4 points per game in 27.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.3 assists per contest and 4.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 72%.

Player Spotlight

Esa Ahmad averages 14.3 points per game while playing 27.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.8 rebounds per game and has 2.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 70%. James Bolden averages 11.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 21.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.3 rebounds per contest and 3.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

Texas Tech averages 75.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 150th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 23.1 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 90th in the nation. They average 36.6 rebounds per game and 14.3 assists per game, which ranks them 158th and 144th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 229th with 12.8 per game. The Red Raiders allow 52.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the country. They also allow a 33% shooting percentage and a 25% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 29.9 rebounds a game which ranks 14th and they give up 8.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 2nd place in Division 1. They force 17.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 326th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

West Virginia is 75th in the country with 79.3 points per game this year. They are 262nd in Division 1 in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is 6.1. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 185th in the nation. They are 9th in the NCAA in rebounding with 42.7 boards per game, and 97th in assists per contest with 15.0. The Mountaineers are 38th in turnovers per game with 15.8. The Mountaineers surrender 73.3 points per contest, which ranks them 220th in D-1. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 101st and 234th in those defensive statistics. They rank 193rd with 13.3 assists allowed per contest and 208th with 35.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mountaineers are 159th in country in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Red Raiders are 95th in the nation in offensive rating with 109. In terms of pace they are 264th in the country with 69 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 64th. As a team they are 76th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 331st in Division 1. Texas Tech is 178th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.3 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

West Virginia is 91st in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.7 times per 100 possessions. The Mountaineers have an offensive rating of 107.8, which is ranked 116th. They are 91st in D-1 in pace with 72.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 236th. As a unit they are 203rd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shot attempts, ranking 83rd in the country.

Who will win tonight's Texas Tech/West Virginia college basketball game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take West Virginia +3.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn