West Virginia vs Kansas State Big 12 Basketball Prediction

№7 West Virginia Mountaineers at Kansas State Wildcats

When/Where: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan

Spread: WVU -4

Featured Matchup by George Hampton

A Big 12 matchup pits the #8 West Virginia Mountaineers vs the Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan, KS. The Mountaineers are (4–2) in Big 12 play and have played the last six games vs Big 12 opponents and are coming off their first home loss on the season to Oklahoma in OT. Kansas State is (3–3 Big 12) and ended a two-game losing streak with a 96–88 victory at Oklahoma State on Wednesday.

West Virginia enters this game ranked 5th in the nation averaging 89 points per game while they allow 63.9 PPG to their opposition. The key to West Virginia winning has been their ability to force turnovers and put pressure on their opposition. The Mountaineers apply full-court pressure on 46 percent of plays, by far the most in the NCAA and they are forcing turnovers on 31.7 percent of opponent possessions.

Kansas State is the only Big 12 team to have all 5 starters averaging in double figures and the lone school with 5 double-digit scorers. Like West Virginia, the Wildcats rank among the national leaders in steals (8.3 SPG./26th) and turnovers forced (16.0/33rd). Kansas State is (9–1) on the season at home and they are 23–6–2 ATS in their last 31 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

This is a bounce back game for the Mountaineers but it will be a very tough feat going on the road to Kansas State. The Wildcats are 33–16–2 their last 51 home games vs a team with a winning road record. This is a very tough place to play as Manhattan provides a significant home court advantage. I expect the home crowd to be ready for an upset which is why I am taking the points with the home underdogs in this matchup.

West Virginia vs Kansas State Prediction: Kansas State +4

George Hampton is (40–22) 65% L30 with his college basketball spread picks