TCU vs West Virginia: NCAAB Odds, Picks, Predictions (1/18/23)

TCU visits West Virginia in a Big 12 clash. TCU is coming off a comfortable win against Kansas State at home, while West Virginia is coming off a very close road loss to Oklahoma. This should be an interesting matchup for both teams in the Big 12 conference. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

TCU vs. West Virginia Odds

West Virginia is a 2-point home favorite against TCU and is at -130 on the money line. The over/under is also at 148. west Virginia being favored here doesn’t make much sense besides the fact they are the home team here. The over/under also makes sense because both of these teams can score well. This spread could move before tip-off a bit because it’s so low.

TCU vs. West Virginia Prediction & Pick

The pick: TCU +2

TCU started off questionable with a loss to Northwestern State, but they’ve been very good recently and it seems like they might be one of the bigger threats to Kansas in the Big 12.

Mike Miles Jr. has been the key to the Horned Frogs this year. He leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals. He’s a do-it-all point guard for TCU that could easily carry them very far this year. Emanuel Miller and Damion Baugh are next in line for scoring production too and help when needed because Miles can’t do it all himself. Chuck O’Bannon rounds out the top four in scoring production and then he leads the team in blocks.

As a team, TCU is better defensively than on offense, especially on the glass, but they do pass it well with assists on offense.

On the other side, West Virginia hasn’t lived up to expectations this year, especially in conference play. They lost their first five games in Big 12 play. Tre Mitchell has been a big key for the Mountaineers and leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Erik Stevenson, Joe Toussaint, and Emmitt Matthews Jr. are all next in line in scoring production. Kedrian Johnson is also key because he leads the team in assists and steals.

As a team, West Virginia has been very good on offense this year, but has struggled at times on defense which is very rare for a Bob Huggins coached team.

West Virginia has a very good chance to finally get an upset in this spot, but the Frogs might just be too good. TCU has finally caught fire and it just doesn’t make sense to bet against them based on what they’ve done recently in Big 12 play. TCU should cover and probably win outright too.

TCU vs. West Virginia Key Matchups

Can Joe Toussaint matchup with Mike Miles Jr.? Can Emanuel Miller matchup with Tre Mitchell?

Mike Miles Jr. vs Joe Toussaint

Mike Miles Jr. has been almost superhuman for the Horned Frogs this year. He averages 19 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds for the season. He’ll be matched up with Joe Toussaint most of the game who averages 11 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds for the season. This should be a big matchup in this game. Point guard is very important, and then on top of that, both of these players, especially Mike Miles Jr., are engines to get their team going. This matchup will go a long way in who wins this game.

Tre Mitchell vs Emanuel Miller

Tre Mitchell has been very good for West Virginia so far this season. He averages 14 points, 2 assists, and 6 rebounds for the season. He’ll be matched up with Emanuel Miller for most of the game who averages 15 points, 2 assists, and 6 rebounds for the season. This will be another big matchup in this game. Mitchell is the best player West Virginia has and Miller is the best wing player TCU has. Mitchell is huge for West Virginia on offense, so it will be interesting to see how Miller defends him.