Can West Virginia Salvage a Disappointing Season?
The struggling West Virginia Mountaineers (9-18, 4-10 Big 12) drag themselves into Bramlage Coliseum to face the Kansas State Wildcats (16-11, 6-8 Big 12) in a late-season Big 12 battle. With a winless road record and their season spiraling out of control, West Virginia desperately seeks a glimmer of hope.
Kansas State: Home Comfort vs. Recent Inconsistency
While Kansas State has also struggled in conference play, they hold a commanding 13-3 home record and have proven their ability to upset top teams with wins over #9 Kansas and #25 BYU. However, a recent 7-of-9 slump raises questions about their consistency.
Key Players and Matchup
West Virginia relies on RaeQuan Battle (16.2 ppg) and Jesse Edwards (14.6 ppg) to carry the offensive load. Kansas State looks to Tylor Perry (15.1 ppg) and Arthur Kaluma (15 ppg) to counter and push the tempo.
Betting Insights
WagerWeb Sportsbook lists Kansas State as a solid 9.5-point home favorite with a total of 143. West Virginia’s dismal 1-6 ATS record as a road underdog highlights the challenge they face. Our predictive model aligns with the spread, suggesting a 77-67 Kansas State win, landing right on the listed total. This indicates a potentially risky betting scenario.
The Spoiler Question
Desperate teams like West Virginia can be unpredictable. Will they roll over and finish out a lackluster season, or will they embrace the spoiler role and cause headaches for Kansas State? Our hunch is that Kansas State prevails by double digits on their home court.
Game Info
- Date: Monday, February 26, 2024
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- TV: ESPNU
- Where: Manhattan, Kansas
- Venue: Bramlage Coliseum