West Virginia vs Kansas: Odds, Picks, Predictions (2/25/23)

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

West Virginia vs. Kansas Odds

Kansas is a 9-point home favorite against West Virginia, but there’s no money line odds listed just yet. The over/under is also listed at 151. Kansas being favored by this much makes sense because they’re at home and have been almost unbeatable at Allen Field House. The over/under also makes sense because both teams are very good on offense. This spread should also stay where it’s at before tip-off too.

West Virginia vs. Kansas Prediction & Pick

The pick: Kansas -9

Kansas is playing like one of the best teams in the country right now. They might have the toughest schedule in all of college basketball and have excelled at every turn.

Jalen Wilson makes the Jayhawks go this season. He is a leading candidate for being the Player of the Year and has been almost unstoppable for Kansas. He leads the team in points and rebounds per game for the season. Gradey Dick has been a big help as a freshman this season for the Jayhawks. He’s second in scoring for them and has brought some much-needed consistency for them from behind the three-point line. Kevin McCullar Jr. and KJ Adams Jr. have been a big help on defense too with McCullar leading the Jayhawks in steals and Adams leads them in blocks.

As a team, the Jayhawks are solid on both offense and defense. They run their offense from the perimeter and can defend well there too.

On the other side, West Virginia has been very inconsistent this year, but is still in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament bid believe it or not.

Erik Stevenson has been great for the Mountaineers this season and leads them in scoring. Tre Mitchell is second in scoring production this year and has been very good behind Erik Stevenson. Kedrian Johnson has also been good in the backcourt and leads the Mountaineers in assists and steals per game for the season. Emmitt Matthews Jr. has also been good on the wing for West Virginia when needed.

As a team, the Mountaineers excel more on defense than on offense. Bob Huggins’ teams are always defensive-minded, but the Mountaineers need to find more offense to take their next step.

Kansas is the better team in this spot and they’re at home. West Virginia can compete in this spot for a bit, but expect the Jayhawks to be the better team and pull away and cover the 9-point spread.

West Virginia vs. Kansas Key Matchups

Can Emmitt Matthews Jr. matchup with Jalen Wilson? Can Dajuan Harris Jr. matchup with Erik Stevenson?

Jalen Wilson vs Emmitt Matthews Jr.

Jalen Wilson has been incredible this season for Kansas. He averages 20 points, 3 assists, and 9 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Emmitt Matthews Jr. most of the game, who averages 10 points, 1 assist, and 4 rebounds per game for the season. This is an interesting matchup because Matthews is a very good defender. Wilson has been nearly unstoppable, so Matthews needs to show up here for the Mountaineers to have a chance.

Erik Stevenson vs Dajuan Harris

Erik Stevenson has been West Virginia’s best player this season. He averages 15 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Dajuan Harris most of the game, who averages 8 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds per game for the season.This is a big matchup because Stevenson needs to have a big game in order for West Virginia to have a chance here. Harris is a good defender, so this matchup could decide the game.