The West Virginia Mountaineers will play the Cincinnati Bearcats in a Big 12 game on Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the West Virginia preview, Cincinnati preview, betting matchup, and the West Virginia vs Cincinnati prediction.
West Virginia Preview
The West Virginia Mountaineers are 9-21 (4-13) this year after they lost to TCU by a score of 93-81 in their last game. West Virginia trailed 53-38 at halftime, but did out score TCU 43-40 in the second half in the loss. The Mountaineers shot 56.9% from the field and only 55.9% on free throws in the game. West Virginia has lost four games in a row and eight of their last nine. The Mountaineers are scoring 69.8 points per game with 34.2 rebounds per game and 13 assists per game, while allowing 75.9 points against per game this year. RaeQuan Battle is averaging 16.6 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, and 0.9 steals per game. West Virginia is shooting 42.7% from the field, 70.7% on free throws, and 34.3% on three pointers this season.
Cincinnati Preview
The Cincinnati Bearcats are 17-13 (6-11) this season after they lost to Oklahoma in overtime by a score of 74-71 in their last game. Cincinnati led 28-27 at the half, but they allowed 40 points in the second half to get to overtime, where they were out scored 7-4 in the loss. The Bearcats shot 39.4% from the field and allowed OU to shoot 34 free throws in the game. Cincinnati defeated Kansas State by a score of 74-72 in the game prior to Oklahoma, but did lose the previous three games. The Bearcats are scoring 74.2 points per game with 39.8 rebounds per game and 14.6 assists per game, while giving up 68.2 points against per game this season. Dan Skillings Jr. is averaging 12 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. Cincinnati is shooting 44% from the field, 68.5% on free throws, and 32.2% on three pointers this year.
West Virginia vs Cincinnati Betting Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup towards the bottom of the Big 12 standings, but Cincinnati has had slightly more success in conference play. The Bearcats will be at home for this game and they have the advantage in just about every metric. West Virginia has lost eight of their last nine games and they are 0-8 on the road in Big 12 play. The Mountaineers have allowed 93, 81, and 94 points in their last three games, but they did beat Cincinnati by a score of 69-65 earlier this year. I don’t like either of these teams, but I am going to take the points with West Virginia on the road.