West Virginia vs. Oklahoma Predictions, Odds

• January 2, 2021
• By Thom Cunningham
• VegasInsider.com

The No. 9 West Virginia Mountaineers head to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the Oklahoma Sooners. Tip for this Big 12 game is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. (ET) and will air on ESPN2.

BETTING RESOURCES

• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Conference: Big 12
• Venue: Lloyd Noble Center
• Location: Norman, Oklahoma
• Date: Saturday, January 2, 2021
• Time: 4:00 p.m.
• TV: ESPN2
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet |Best Sportsbooks

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West Virginia-Oklahoma Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: Pick em
• Money-Line: West Virginia-110 Oklahoma -110
• Total: 144.5

Odds Subject to Change

West Virginia enters this road game split against the Sooners. Oklahoma has won four of its last five home games this season SU, but are 3-4 ATS. West Virginia is 1-2 on the road, and have gone 5-5 ATS this season.

The point total is set at 144.5, which West Virginia is 5-5 on this season. Oklahoma is just 3-4 O/U this season, so the point total is a toss up based on trends from both teams this season.

Betting Analysis – West Virginia Mountaineers

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 8-2
• ATS: 5-5
• SU - Home: 7-0
• SU - Away: 1-2
• O/U: 5-5

West Virginia's biggest question entering this game is whether they can win on the road or not? The Mountaineers only two losses this season have come on the road, against good teams in Gonzaga and Kansas. Facing Oklahoma compared to the two schools just mentioned is a huge drop off though.

From a pure talent standpoint, West Virginia is the better team. Derek Culver is a beast in the paint, averaging a near double-double, while Miles McBride leads the charge with 14.8 points per game. Both Sean McNeil and Taz Sherman also average a double-digit point total, while Oscar Tshiebwe and Emmitt Matthews also contribute to this team's production.

The Mountaineers have depth and experience (no freshman in top eight scorers) and rebound extremely well. Most of the board production is Culver and Tshiebwe, as West Virginia averages 15.2 offensive rebounds per game which ranks eighth nationally.

West Virginia is a bit inconsistent in terms of the spread (only beat Iowa State at home by five). Overall, West Virginia should win this game with the talent they have and the amount of productive depth they see. Whether they cover the spread, is another question.

Betting Analysis – Oklahoma Sooners

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 5-2
• ATS: 3-4
• SU - Home: 4-1
• SU - Away: 1-1
• O/U: 3-4

Oklahoma is looking to bounce back after a tough two-point loss to Texas Tech. The road for Oklahoma doesn't get easier, facing West Virginia before heading to Baylor and Kansas immediately after.

It's going to be a tough stretch for Lon Kruger's club, but of the four game gauntlet they're in it seems West Virginia is the most winnable of the four games. One constant for Oklahoma is the defense, allowing just 69 points or less in four straight games.

West Virginia, for as many offensive productive players as they have, is inconsistent at times. Oklahoma's defense can hold West Virginia to under 70, but will require great defensive play from two key players. Both De'Vion Harmon and Elijah Harkless average over one steal per game.

Those two, along with Victor Iwuakor, will have to play great defense and create turnovers for Oklahoma to have a chance of pulling off the upset. The Sooners can rely on defense to win this home game, but if those three are losing Mountaineers to the bucket then it'll be near impossible for Oklahoma to manage.

This doesn't excuse Austin Reaves or Brady Malek from having poor games either. They must be the top two scorers (as they are) for Oklahoma, and one of the two must be able to close the game out if it comes to that situation.

Inside the Stats – West Virginia Mountaineers

• PS/G: 74.6 (144th)
• PA/G: 67.5 (128th)
• Off Rtg: 105.5 (123rd)
• Def Rtg: 95.5 (144th)

Inside the Stats – Oklahoma Sooners

• PS/G: 82.7 (42nd)
• PA/G: 70.9 (187th)
• Off Rtg: 116 (24th)
• Def Rtg: 99.4 (206th)

Key Players to Watch

• WVU - Miles McBride (14.8 PPG, 4.1 APG)
• WVU - Derek Culver (14.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG)
• OU - Austin Reaves (15.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.7 APG)
• OU - Brady Manek (14.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG)

West Virginia-Oklahoma Predictions

This game is a pick em, which makes taking West Virginia much easier. If you're sold on Oklahoma, perhaps wait and live bet whenever West Virginia goes up to see better value. Overall, this should be a close game but maybe not as close as oddsmakers believe.

Feel free to roll with the better team here, still looking for a signature road win and so therefore will be focused throughout. The point total can go either way, as taking advantage of a pick em game between teams that are clearly separated in terms of talent should be the wager here.

• Score Prediction: West Virginia 75 Oklahoma 70
• Best Bets: West Virginia

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