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  2. NCAAB Picks
  3. West Virginia Mountaineers vs Houston Cougars
Wed 8:00 PM ET
West Virginia Mountaineers logo
West Virginia
Mountaineers54
21-14
versus
Houston Cougars logo
Houston
Cougars70
30-7
Final
Team12T
West Virginia Mountaineers272754
Houston Cougars403070
NCAAB · West Virginia Mountaineers at Houston Cougars

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West Virginia Mountaineers vs Houston Cougars Betting Picks & Predictions

Game time: January 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET

Venue: Fertitta Center — Houston, TX

Article updated Jan 15, 2:28 PM EST

Published by SportsJaw Editorial Team

The upcoming basketball game between the (12-3, 3-1 Big 12) and (12-3, 4-0 Big 12) teams is highly anticipated as both are near the top of the Big 12 standings. Last season,

Game outlook

The upcoming basketball game between the (12-3, 3-1 Big 12) and (12-3, 4-0 Big 12) teams is highly anticipated as both are near the top of the Big 12 standings. Last season, Houston emerged victorious with a 34-point win over West Virginia at home. West Virginia's recent win on the road against Colorado as underdogs, while Houston's dominant win against Kansas State as road dogs, sets the stage for an exciting matchup. The game is set to take place at the Fertitta Center in Houston with Houston opening as the favorite with a current line of -17.5.

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Mountaineers +975 | Cougars -2,100

Spread: Mountaineers +17.5 (-110) | Cougars -17.5 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 124 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 95%.

West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia Mountaineers recently faced Arizona twice, winning once and losing once. They were led by Javon Small in their last game, who is the leading scorer in the Big 12 conference. Tucker DeVries, another key player, is likely to miss the upcoming game due to an ankle injury. West Virginia ranks 42nd overall and plays at a slow pace. Offensively, they shoot 43.46% from the field and 34.66% from three-point range. Defensively, they allow 38.16% shooting from the field. In terms of statistics, West Virginia averages 36.57 rebounds per game and 14.57 offensive assists. Their defense ranks 22nd in the nation, allowing an average of 63.43 points per game.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Picks are opinions, not guarantees. Past results do not predict future outcomes.

Houston Cougars Analysis

The Houston Cougars have been on a hot streak, winning their last eight games and dominating their first four conference opponents. Led by guards Emanuel Sharp and L.J. Cryer, the team has found success both on the perimeter and in the paint. Sharp, in particular, has been exceptional from three-point range, shooting nearly 49%. Their top interior player, J'Wan Roberts, has also been a key contributor, averaging close to 9 points and 7 rebounds per game. The Cougars are currently ranked 3rd overall with a power ranking of 2, excelling in defensive efficiency and boasting one of the best defenses in the nation. Their offensive stats are impressive as well, with high percentages in field goals, free throws, and three-pointers. As they continue their successful season, the Houston Cougars are proving to be a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.

Mountaineers Poised to Cover Strong Spread Against Houston Thanks to Resilience on the Road

The Mountaineers have demonstrated their resilience and strong performance on the road in recent games. Their victories over prominent teams like Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, and Gonzaga showcase their ability to compete at a high level in challenging environments. Despite facing a 15.5-point spread against Houston, West Virginia's track record suggests they are capable of covering this margin. With Javon Small, the top scorer in the SEC leading the team, West Virginia has a competitive advantage against Houston's guards. Additionally, the anticipated slow pace of the game will likely benefit the underdog, making it more challenging for Houston to win by such a large margin. Therefore, the current spread is deemed excessively high, making West Virginia a favorable choice to cover.

SportsJawGame Predictions
Predicted score

Unavailable for this preview

Projected winnerUnavailableConfidencelow
Pick on the Spread

Published pick: Unavailable

Pick on the Total

Published pick: Unavailable

#WestVirginiaMountaineers#HoustonCougars

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Written by

SportsJaw Editorial Team

SportsJaw published this archived preview from its original game-day article. Its prediction and quoted lines are preserved as written.

About our editorial process

SportsJaw Mountaineers vs Cougars archived game preview contains historical odds and availability that may no longer be current. View history of past Mountaineers vs Cougars matchups or learn how our predictions work.

Current matchup data

Lines, trends and availability

Line movement since open

  • Moneyline · West Virginia Mountaineers+975 → +1,000Moved
  • Moneyline · Houston Cougars-1,900 → -2,000Moved
  • Spread · West Virginia Mountaineers+15.75 (-110) → +16.5 (-110)Moved
  • Spread · Houston Cougars-15.75 (-110) → -16.5 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Over122.5 (-110) → 125 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Under122.5 (-110) → 125 (-110)Moved

ATS and O/U trends

West Virginia Mountaineers
21-14 matchup record · 7-3-0 ATS · 3-6-1 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file
Houston Cougars
30-7 matchup record · 5-5-0 ATS · 4-6-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file

Injuries and availability

From the published research (2025-01-15T19:28:29.966Z). Availability may have changed; review the cited sources.

West Virginia Mountaineers recently faced Arizona twice, winning once and losing once. They were led by Javon Small in their last game, who is the leading scorer in the Big 12 conference. Tucker DeVries, another key player, is likely to miss the upcoming game due to an ankle injury. West Virginia ranks 42nd overall and plays at a slow pace. Offensively, they shoot 43.46% from the field and 34.66% from three-point range. Defensively, they allow 38.16% shooting from the field. In terms of statistics, West Virginia averages 36.57 rebounds per game and 14.57 offensive assists. Their defense ranks 22nd in the nation, allowing an average of 63.43 points per game.

Recent head-to-head

No completed head-to-head result is available in the current history window.

Final result

Matchup pick recap

Houston Cougars defeated West Virginia Mountaineers 70-54

Houston Cougars defeated West Virginia Mountaineers 70-54 on January 15, 2025, a 16-point decision in the series. Houston Cougars' strongest period was the 1st half, when it outscored its opponent 40-27. Against SportsJaw's recorded West Virginia Mountaineers +16.5 (-110) spread, West Virginia Mountaineers covered, while the 124 combined points finished under the recorded total of 125.

SportsJaw editorial picks

  • Projected winnerNo published selectionUnavailable

Tipster picks

  • Joem81Total · Over 123.75 (-110)Win
  • MtgoldsteinSpread · Houston Cougars -17.5 (-110)Loss