West Virginia Mountaineers vs Cincinnati Bearcats – NCAA Basketball Preview – February 19, 2025
West Virginia hosts Cincinnati in a Big 12 matchup on Wednesday night at WVU Coliseum. Both teams enter the game with a 15-10 record, but their tournament hopes look different. West Virginia is projected to make the NCAA Tournament, while Cincinnati is on the outside looking in.
West Virginia won the first meeting this season on February 2, beating Cincinnati 63-50. The Bearcats have improved offensively since that loss, averaging 83 points per game in their last four. The Mountaineers have struggled recently, losing three of their last four games, including an overtime loss to Baylor.
West Virginia Preview – Can They Get Back on Track?
West Virginia has lost two straight games and is trying to hold onto its NCAA Tournament hopes. The Mountaineers’ biggest issue has been free throws. They rank last in the Big 12 in free throws attempted and made, which has hurt them in close games.
Javon Small leads the team with 18.6 points per game and scored 22 in the loss to Baylor. T. Okani had 19 points and 7 rebounds in that game, but the team struggled from the free-throw line again. West Virginia will need to be more aggressive in getting to the line if they want to win.
At home, the Mountaineers are 10-4 this season. Their defense has been solid, allowing just 64.4 points per game, which ranks 20th in the country. If they can slow down Cincinnati’s offense, they have a good chance to win.
Cincinnati Preview – Can the Offense Stay Hot?
Cincinnati has turned its offense around after a tough stretch in January. Since losing to West Virginia earlier this month, the Bearcats are averaging 83 points per game. They shot 53.4% from the field and 43.5% from three in their last four games.
Jizzle James has been a big part of the turnaround. He has scored 25 points in each of his last two games and had 24 in the game before that. He fouled out in the loss to Iowa State, which hurt Cincinnati’s chances late in that game.
Defense has been an issue for the Bearcats. They allow 72.1 points per game, ranking 244th nationally. If they can keep West Virginia from controlling the tempo, they could pick up a key road win.
Betting Prediction
West Virginia is favored by 4 points, with the total set at 128.5. The Mountaineers are 10-4 at home, while Cincinnati is 4-6 on the road. West Virginia has also covered the spread in 18 of its last 31 games.
Cincinnati’s offense is playing well, but West Virginia’s defense should be able to slow them down. The Mountaineers need a win to keep their tournament hopes alive, and they have been strong at home. Expect a close game, but West Virginia should win and cover.
Pick: West Virginia Mountaineers -4
The Mountaineers pick up a big win inside Big 12 basketball play. This should be a fun basketball game!
