The TCU Horned Frogs need a win in the worst way. What was once a promising at-large resume has gone off the tracks in recent weeks with four straight losses and a 6-9 record. However, all is not lost. They have two very winnable games their last two weeks of the season and getting a win over the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday would give them a shot to break .500 in conference. A win would also make it plausible to get to 20 wins and leave TCU not worrying about its fate on Selection Sunday.
At 2 p.m. ET, tune into ESPN for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena. We will have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Saturday schedule.
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West Virginia had games go to overtime in back-to-back weeks before putting the hammer down against Texas on Monday. The Mountaineers left no doubt who the better team was, cruising to a 15-point victory over the Longhorns. WVU is one of the better over teams in the NCAA with a 14-8-1 record for the over on the year.
TCU has to stop sliding and fast. The Horned Frogs have lost four in a row and failed to cover any of their last five games. Even at home, they have had major issues, with a 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS record in their last five home affairs.
Last Meeting
West Virginia coasted to an easy victory over TCU the last time out, but failed to get the cover. The Mountaineers only won by 12 against a 13.5-point spread, but will be favored again this time.
TCU actually outshot WVU from the floor, hitting 46.2 percent of its shots in comparison to WVU’s 45.9 percent. However, the difference in field goal attempts was astronomical. The Mountaineers attempted 20 more shots than TCU did in the game, largely due to a fantastic defensive effort.
WVU pressed the Horned Frogs all game long and ended up forcing 18 turnovers as a result. Getting the ball over half court proved to be difficult for TCU’s young guard and they looked totally flustered at times trying to handle the pressure.
Player to Watch
If TCU is going to flip the script and knock off West Virginia this time around, one of the things it needs is a big game from Kenrich Williams. While listed as a guard, Williams is TCU’s leading rebounder, pulling down 9 boards a game. Although he is just 6’7, he has a big frame and is comfortable playing a small forward role and crashing the glass.
He had an awful night out against West Virginia in January, going just 3 of 14 from the floor, but could have a much better performance here. He has played better and gotten more involved on the boards in recent weeks and could exploit WVU in the paint. The Mountaineers may be without Esa Ahmad for this game and Ahmad is one of their best bigs. If he can’t go, Williams should be able to have good numbers.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
There’s little doubt that West Virginia will be favored in this one, but it likely won’t be by much. WVU was only a six-point favorite on the road against lowly Oklahoma and laid just three in Manhattan against Kansas State. This team has covered each of its last three road games and will look to make it four in a row against TCU.
This game is extremely important to TCU and the big question is whether or not it can handle the press. They couldn’t the last time out, but the young guards have improved and aren’t turning the ball over as much. Jamie Dixon will find a way for his team to get a win and a cover here.
College Basketball Odds: TCU 78, West Virginia 74
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