Posted on
1/3/2008 3:44:04 PM
Bet On NCAA Basketball – West Virginia at Notre Dame
By Eric Williams
While the West Virginia Mountaineers, (10-2 SU, 4-2 ATS, 3-3 O/U) are still reeling from having their eight-game winning streak snapped on Saturday by Oklahoma 88-82 in double overtime, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, (10-2 SU, 4-5 ATS, 4-5 O/U) come into this contest, riding, ironically, an eight-game winning streak of their own in the Big East opener for each school.
Of course, Notre Dame (10-2) has been beating up on teams like ‘The Sisters of the Blind’ as illustrated by their 77-58 victory over North Florida (who?) on Monday afternoon.
The Mountaineers should have learned a valuable lesson about protecting a lead in losing to the Sooners. WVU had the basketball and a three-point lead with 16 seconds remaining in regulation but couldn’t seal the deal and also ran out to early leads in both overtimes but couldn’t finish once again.
The Mountaineers are expected to start the same lineup against Notre Dame it has all year, going with Joe Alexander and Da’Sean Butler at forwards, Jamie Smalligan at center, and Darris Nichols and Alex Ruoff.
While the Mountaineers are looking to get back to their winning ways, Notre Dame will be looking to extend their dominance in this series as they have won 12 of the last 13 meetings, including last year's contest, 61-58 victory on the road.
Notre Dame also has a school record, 28-game winning streak at home, including nine straight wins versus Big East opponents and finished with a perfect 8-0 record at home during the 2006-07 campaign during league play.
West Virginia averages 86.2 points per game on 50.1 percent shooting while allowing 60.4 points per contest on 38.2 percent shooting.
Notre Dame is averaging 81.0 points per game on 47.1 percent shooting while limiting their opponents to just 61.1 points per game on 38.4 percent shooting.
Junior forward Alex Ruoff leads West Virginia in scoring, averaging 16.1 points per game while sophomore forward Luke Harangody leads the Fighting Irish, averaging 17.7 ponts per game.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my NCAA Basketball Betting Pick Free :
Key Mountaineers Trends
The Mountaineers are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Mountaineers are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
The Mountaineers are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
Key Fighting Irish Trends
The Fighting Irish are 5-1 ATS in their last six vs. Big East.
The Fighting Irish are 4-1 ATS in their last five Thursday games.
The Fighting Irish are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a S.U. win.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 5-0 in Mountaineers last five Thursday games.
The Under is 6-0 in Mountaineers last six vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Under is 6-0 in Fighting Irish last six vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Over is 4-0 in Fighting Irish last four vs. Big East.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Under is 6-0 in the last six meetings.
The Underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
The Road team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
Analysis: I’ll keep this pick short and sweet. While the Fighting Irish aren’t accustomed to losing at home very often, particularly to Big East opponents, I say that’s exactly what’s going to happen tonight to the quicker, more athletic Mountaineers. I like West Virginia to bounce back from their heartbreaking loss with a vengeance.
NCAAB Free Picks: West Virginia +2 Points
07:00 PM EST College Basketball Odds
West Virginia +2 -110
Notre Dame -2 -110
Go to the BetUS.com online sportsbook today to bet on NCAA basketball. We have the most current NCAA basketball odds and lines, as well as player and game props. Join BetUS.com to experience the best in online sports betting action!