Iowa State vs. West Virginia Predictions, Odds

• December 18, 2020
• By Thom Cunningham
• VegasInsider.com

The Iowa State Cyclones look to get back into the win column when they travel to Morgantown and face the AP-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. (ET) on ESPNU.

BETTING RESOURCES

• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Conference: Big 12
• Venue: WVU Coliseum
• Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
• Date: Friday, December 18, 2020
• Time: 9:00 p.m.
• TV: ESPNU
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | Best Sportsbooks

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Iowa State-West Virginia Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: West Virginia -16
• Money-Line: TBD
• Total: 146.5

Odds Subject to Change

West Virginia is a heavy home favorite, opening as an -18-point favorite which has currently dwindled down to -16. It's easy to see why West Virginia is such a heavy favorite, as Iowa State is on a current three-game losing streak with a recent home loss to Kansas State.

To say the home loss was a disappointment is an understatement, as Kansas State entered having lost to DII school Fort Hays. Regardless, its a new night for the Cyclones who look to cover their first game of the season.

Betting Analysis – Iowa State Cyclones

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

• SU: 1-3
• ATS: 0-4
• SU - Home: 1-2
• SU - Away: 0-1
• O/U: 2-2

Iowa State is 0-4 ATS this season, so there's no argument in siding with West Virginia's large spread. The Cyclones offense comes and goes, while the defense is a wreck. Iowa State is currently allowing 78.2 points per game, which ranked 277th in the nation. Also, the Cyclones have a defensive rating of 110.2, which ranked 296th out of 328 schools.

Jalen Coleman-Lands struggled against Kansas State, so much that he dropped from the team's leading point scorer. Rasir Bolton is the new points leader for Iowa State, averaging 15.8 points per game. Bolton also averages 5.3 rebounds and six assists per game, so this offense plays through him.

The offense is stagnant at best though, as the Cyclones have forgettable offensive numbers. They rank 217th in field goals made (113), 299th in free throws made (29), 303rd in free throw attempts (40) and 238th in total points (290). They also rank 224th in assists (56) and 265th in total rebounds (117). It's difficult to know where to start when picking out weaknesses on this Cyclones team, as they can improve in all facets of the game.

Betting Analysis – West Virginia Mountaineers

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

• SU: 6-1
• ATS: 4-3
• SU - Home: 5-0
• SU - Away: 1-1
• O/U: 4-3

West Virginia is playing great basketball, seeing four different players average a double-digit point total. Miles McBride leads all the Mountaineers, including 4.6 assists per game. Derek Culver averages a double-double, with nearly 14 points and 11 rebounds per game.

The dynamic duo of McBride in the backcourt and Culver in the paint is something to consider entering March Madness, although the quiet x-factor of this team might be Oscar Tshiebwe . The sophomore from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is averaging 8.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

West Virginia is an Elite Eight candidate, and should be fine covering a large spread at home. The Mountaineers only lost to Gonzaga by five points, while blowing out Richmond, a much better team than Iowa State, by 16 points.

Inside the Stats – Iowa State Cyclones

• PS/G: 72.5 (192nd)
• PA/G: 78.2 (277th)
• Off Rtg: 102.1 (170th)
• Def Rtg: 110.2 (296th)

Inside the Stats – West Virginia Mountaineers

• PS/G: 76.9 (120th)
• PA/G: 68.6 (151st)
• Off Rtg: 105.9 (114th)
• Def Rtg: 94.5 (137th)

Key Players to Watch

• IWST - Rasir Bolton (15.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 6 APG)
• IWST - Jalen Coleman-Lands (13.5 PPG)
• WVU - Miles McBride (14.6 PPG)
• WVU - Derek Culver (13.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG)

Iowa State-West Virginia Predictions

The last time Iowa State faced a ranked opponent they lost by nearly 30 points. West Virginia should be fine covering the large spread, but feel free to buy down a few points if you want to purchase a safety net.

Through two home games this season, West Virginia beat Richmond by 16 and North Texas by 12. The first five games for West Virginia were away from Morgantown, with only one of those five games covering the given -16-point spread. Iowa State is 0-4 ATS, so don't be afraid to take the Mountaineers at home but buying down is strongly suggested.

• Score Prediction: West Virginia 81 Iowa State 64
• Best Bets: UNDER 146.5
• Best Bets: West Virginia -16

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