UAB vs West Virginia 12/18/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
West Virginia Mountaineers (9-1) vs. UAB Blazers (9-2)
December 18, 2021 5:00 pm EDT
The Line: UAB Blazers -2 / West Virginia Mountaineers +2; Over/Under: -135.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The West Virginia Mountaineers and UAB Blazers meet Saturday in college basketball action at the Legacy Arena. The West Virginia Mountaineers look to build on their six-game winning streak. The UAB Blazers look to build on their four-game winning streak.
The West Virginia Mountaineers are averaging 69.8 points on 45 percent shooting and allowing 60.7 points on 43.3 percent shooting. Taz Sherman is averaging 21.8 points and 3.4 rebounds, while Sean McNeil is averaging 13.2 points and 3 rebounds. Jalen Bridges is dishing 0.7 assists and Malik Curry is grabbing 1.7 rebounds. The West Virginia Mountaineers are shooting 31.4 percent from beyond the arc and 60.3 percent from the free throw line. The West Virginia Mountaineers are allowing 31.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.8 rebounds per game.
The UAB Blazers are averaging 82.7 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 60.9 points on 38.9 percent shooting. Jordan Walker is averaging 16.4 points and 2.2 rebounds, while Quan Jackson is averaging 11.6 points and 4.5 rebounds. Michael Ertel is the third double-digit scorer and Tavin Lovan is grabbing 2.9 rebounds. The UAB Blazers are shooting 35.4 percent from beyond the arc and 68.8 percent from the free throw line. The UAB Blazers are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.7 rebounds per game.
The Mountaineers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games and 5-11 ATS in their last 16 Saturday games. The Blazers are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 home games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The under is 4-0 in Mountaineers last 4 overall. The over is 6-1-1 in Blazers last 8 Saturday games.
The UAB Blazers are far from a pushover, and they have the offensive depth to give this WVU defense a run for its money. This is also a massive home game for UAB, so expect a packed house. With that said, we’re getting West Virginia in a rare underdog role, and they’re still led by a defense that travels. A win for UAB isn’t surprising, but I find value with West Virginia on the road.
