Iowa State Vs. West Virginia Odds, Picks, and Predictions (2/8/22)

Iowa State Vs. West Virginia Odds, Picks, and Predictions (02/08/22)

This Tuesday, February 8th, at 7:00 PM EST, the West Virginia Mountaineers host the Iowa State Cyclones in their first meeting of the 2021-2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball season. In the past few weeks, both teams have struggled in their matchups against other Big 12 competitors. They both sit in the lower half of the Big 12 and have lost seven games in conference play. This matchup will be crucial for both teams to reestablish themselves and prove they can emerge from the ashes. The Mountaineers are desperate for a win to break their extensive losing streak and the Cyclones want to stay afloat and out of the dreaded 10th place in the conference. This game will help send the victor in the right direction to turn their season around, so make sure you don’t miss it on ESPN+.

Iowa State Vs. West Virginia Betting Odds

This year of Division I basketball has been challenging to predict. There have been upsets, close games, and an occasional runaway win. When looking at West Virginia, their pattern speaks for itself. They have the second-worst against the spread record in the Big 12, coming in with being 9-13 ATS and a regular record of 13-9. The Mountaineers are at the bottom of the rank in the conference, and they have struggled significantly against competitors. They’ve only been able to stump the Kansas State Wildcats and the Oklahoma State Cowboys so far this season. The Iowa State Cyclones have had some better luck compared to their opponents. They stand 13-10 ATS and 16-7 in their game record. The Cyclones have also struggled to secure wins in conference, only defeating Texas Tech, Texas, and Oklahoma State. 

When we look at how the spread was placed for this matchup, two key components are crucial to consider. Both teams average 68 points per game, but the Cyclones are able to hold their opponents to 61 points when the Mountaineers give up 65 points per game. With the spread being placed at -1.5 for West Virginia, you have to acknowledge the home-court advantage. West Virginia has been notorious for having more competitive games in Morgantown compared to being on the road. West Virginia may be favored in this game, but I sense the Cyclones will have tremendous success in this matchup. 

Iowa State Cyclones Odds

The Iowa State Cyclones started their 2021-2022 season looking unstoppable. They began the season with a 13-1 start but have since crumbled to 16-7 (3-7 in Big 12). All of their losses have been attributed to their Big 12 rivals and have pushed them to 8th place in the conference. After losing two games in a row to the Kansas Jayhawks and the destructive loss from the Texas Longhorns, the Cyclones need to secure a win to lift their spirits and keep this team alive.

Although the Cyclones have fallen into a bit of a slump, they have shooters that make up some pretty accurate statistics. Overall, the team shoots 50% from the field, but their shooting tends to get messier when they’re on the road. Their leading point scorer, Izaiah Brockington, helps keep his team alive on the road with his excessive athleticism. The senior guard single-handedly scores one-fourth of the team’s overall points in each game. He averages 17 points out of the 68 points per game for the team. He shoots 46.5% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the three-point line, making him a threat all around the court. Brockington also leads the team in rebounds, averaging 7.8 per game. Brockington is the foundation of this Cyclones team, and he needs to channel in during this matchup if this team has a chance against WVU.

Tyrese Hunter will also be another threat on the court in this matchup. Hunter is the leading assist and steals player for the Cyclones. The freshman guard has had great success in his first year in Division I ball and has proven himself to be a team player. Hunter scores an average of 10.5 points per game (11.6 PPG on the road), 4.4 assists per game, and two steals per game. Hunter can cause some damage if left unguarded and could be the key to help take his win back home to Iowa. 

West Virginia Mountaineers Odds

The West Virginia Mountaineers have been known to be a threat in Division I basketball for years. Their coach of 15 years, Bob Huggins, has taken his team to the NCAA March Madness Tournament ten times in his fifteen seasons. The masses have appreciated this record, and WVU has been seen as a prestigious basketball program. However, the team has fallen off to a somewhat rocky track this year. The season began with the Mountaineers going 11-1, but a striking seven-game losing streak has stopped the momentum in its tracks. The Mountaineers sit in last place in their conference, and if they plan to reassemble themselves, this win is absolutely crucial. Although they are favored in this matchup, the Mountaineers have a lot to prove and must play at their highest potential to take home this win.

Taz Sherman and Sean McNeil will be the key players to lead the Mountaineers in this matchup. Sherman averages 19.3 points per game when he’s on his own court, along with nearly three rebounds and assists. Sherman will be the top target on the court, with essential link-ups between him and McNiel for great points. McNeil is the second most leading scorer on the team with 14.6 points per game when at home with a 44.3% field goal percentage. These two players have an extensive court IQ and can find teammates open for easy points. Their skill will help keep the Mountaineer spirit alive in this electric game against the Cyclones.

Iowa State Vs. West Virginia Picks and Predictions

This matchup is crucial for both teams. They need to win this game to end slumps, push them into better standing, and boost morale. The spread has been set within a very minimal margin of -1.5, favoring the Mountaineers, but it definitely won’t be an easy win. The over/under has been placed at 127.5, with both bets taking -110. The Mountaineers and the Cyclones average 68 points offensively per game, and they average around 65 points given up defensively. If both teams are able to play at their average level, this game should easily skyrocket past the over. If the Cyclones defense can shut down Taz Sherman, it won’t be a runaway. Overall, this matchup will come down to the team with the best defensive ability to stop star players and which team can play strong all the way until the final whistle.