The Mountaineers are just a +3.5 underdog coming into the February 14th West Virginia at Kansas State betting matchup and that number seems very low. WVU is in an old fashioned rut right now, losers of 8 of their last 9 including getting blown out 81-58 at Oklahoma State on Saturday as just +4.5 underdogs.
Kansas State would seem to be in a great spot for a big win on Monday night, at home against a Mountaineers squad that is just 1-6 on the road this season. The Wildcats have also won three of four which includes upset wins at TCU (75-63) and most recently at Iowa State on Saturday (75-69 in OT). West Virginia has also won four straight head to head though, including a 71-68 win at home on January 8th but as -8.5 favorites.
Not a Lot to Be Optimistic About for WVU
Really the only thing the Mountaineers have going for them ahead of the February 14th West Virginia at Kansas State betting matchup is that they have won four consecutive games over the Wildcats. Their 71-68 win early this season also failed to cover the -8.5 spread and it came with KSU having just 8 scholarship players available (and just one coach) due to positive COVID tests. WVU was even down 40-27 at the half in that game.
Sean McNeil willed the Mountaineers to victory in the first matchup with KSU, scoring 19 of his game high 26 points in the 2nd half as WVU used a 44-28 advantage after the break to get the win. Kansas State probably wins that game if they have a full rotation available though, which makes you wonder how Monday’s game with the Wildcats having all of their core players back.
The Mountaineers have gone just 2-8 since that first win over K-State and their defense has been largely to blame. WVU has allowed at least 72 points in 7 of those games, but could get a break on Monday considering Kansas State is the lowest scoring team in the Big 12 at just 67.5 ppg.
K-State Having a Nice February
The Wildcats battled through an absence riddled 2-7 record in the month of January, but are getting healthy and hot at the right time as they are 3-1 so far in February. That includes a win at TCU as a +3 point underdog and outlasting Iowa State in Ames on Saturday at +.5.5 so Bruce Weber has to like where his team stands right now.
Kansas State has gone a mediocre 8-5 in Manhattan this season, but on Monday they welcome in the worst road team in the conference in 1-6 West Virginia. One thing Weber has to especially be optimistic about is that his worst ranked scoring offense in the Big 12 has looked better lately, scoring 70+ in three of the last four – all wins which is no coincidence.
Three players also had at least 13 points in the first meeting with West Virginia led by 20 from Nigel Pack. The sophomore went for 31 in a recent loss to Baylor so he has the big game potential that KSU will need to cover the -3.5 on Monday night.
Free February 14th West Virginia at Kansas State Betting Pick
It’s hard to overlook the fact that West Virginia is getting +3.5 points despite winning four straight over Kansas State. That being said, the Mountaineers are absolutely atrocious on the road and it’s hard to trust them in an environment like Manhattan on Monday. K-State has a little momentum too with wins in three of their last four.
Kansas State 71 – West Virginia 64
Free Pick: Kansas State -3.5
