West Virginia Mountaineers vs Kansas Jayhawks Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/09/2023

by Rod Pearson

Thursday, Mar 09, 2023
Game Time: 3:00 pm ET, Thursday, March 9, 2023
Venue:  T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Where to Watch:  ESPN Networks


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  WVU +3, Kansas -3; Over/Under:  149.5 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  WVU +3, Kansas -3; Over/Under:  149.5 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  WVU +3, Kansas -3; Over/Under:  149.5 points

Season Record

West Virginia Mountaineers:  19-13 (7-11) (8th place, Big 12)
Kansas Jayhawks:  25-6 (13-5) (1st place, Big 12)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Jack Banks is on a HOT STREAK in CBB: 118-81 Run! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Recent Form
West Virginia Mountaineers:  4-1  last 5
Kansas Jayhawks:  4-1  last 5


West Virginia Mountaineers vs Kansas Jayhawks Preview and Analysis


West Virginia is coming into this game with a 19-13 record overall and they are 3-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 7-11 in their conference schedule this season as well. They are entering this game on a 3 game winning streak with wins coming against the Iowa State Cyclones, the Kansas State Wildcats, and the Texas Tech Red Raiders in their last game. Kedrian Johnson led the team in points in that game with 20 while Erik Stevenson was next on the team with 18 points. Erik Stevenson led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Tre Mitchell led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 40.9% from the field, 34.6% from 3-point range, and 88.2% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 76.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 71.1 PPG against them. West Virginia has an ATS record of 17-15 this season and their O/U record is 21-11.


Kansas is coming into this game with a 25-6 record overall and they are 3-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 13-5 in their conference schedule this season as well. They are entering this game off of a loss against the Texas Longhorns in their last game. Jalen Wilson led the team in points in that game with 23 while KJ Adams Jr. was next on the team with 9 points. Dajuan Harris Jr. led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Jalen Wilson led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 36.2% from the field, 31.8% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 75.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 68.2 PPG against them. Kansas has an ATS record of 14-17 this season and their O/U record is 16-15.



West Virginia vs Kansas Prediction

The current betting odds have Kansas listed as a 3 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Kansas enters this game as the higher seed in the Big 12 Tournament and for good reason as they were the best team in the Big 12 all season with their 13-5 conference record. They are ranked as one of the best teams in the country too and were 25-6 overall, also going 3-1 in their neutral site games this year. West Virginia wasn't a bad team this season with their 19-13 record overall and they pulled off a huge win over Texas Tech in the 1st round to end up in this game. They really struggled in the Big 12 this season though as they were only 7-11 in their conference games and they are going to be on a back-to-back here which puts them at a disadvantage since Kansas will be well rested. West Virginia has been playing well lately and will have some momentum behind them in this game with 3 wins in a row now, but Kansas has also been really hot in their games lately and this is a very low number to lay with one of the best teams in the country. The best way to place a bet here is on Kansas to cover the spread in this game. 

West Virginia Kansas Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, March 9, 2023 (3:00 pm ET start time) is Kansas 81 WVU 69.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this West Virginia Mountaineers Kansas Jayhawks prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAB predictions and previews.

NCAAB Betting Trends


West Virginia Mountaineers: 16-26 ATS when the total is 140 to 149.5. 2-9 ATS after scoring 75 points or more 2 straight games. 30-12 OVER when the total is 140 to 149.5.
Kansas Jayhawks: 24-11 ATS off a road loss by 10 points or more. 38-21 ATS after playing a game as a road underdog. 12-7 OVER as a neutral court favorite or pick.

Key Injuries


West Virginia Mountaineers:  M. Wague (F) Out indefinitely - Foot. J. Davis (G) Out indefinitely - Wrist. J. Perez (G) out for season - Eligibility.
Kansas Jayhawks:  C. McCarthy (G) Out indefinitely - Knee. K. Cuffe Jr (G) out for season - Redshirt. C. Martin (F) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. W. Evers (G) Out indefinitely - Foot.

Notable Quotes


“Give it to Huggs and how he’s been coaching us and the way we’ve been practicing, which is way more competitive. Every day, we have been taking everything personal. Every drill, if a guy scores on somebody, we tell them (to) run the play back so we can guard them.” - Erik Stevenson on Bob Huggins and the impact he has had on the team as head coach this season.


"I think Texas was turned up. Defensively, they made us play outside our comfort zone without question, a lot like they did TCU in the second half the other day. They just didn't have the same results but I thought they guarded TCU and pressured them in the second half. We weren't any good but you know what, offensively, they weren't great first half either. But second half we couldn't guard their guys individually and we didn't have anything going. We got what we deserved today." - Bill Self after his team’s loss against Texas in their final game of the regular season.


Starting Lineups


West Virginia Mountaineers
J. Bell 
K. Johnson 
E. Matthews 
T. Mitchell 
E. Stevenson

Kansas Jayhawks
K. Adams Jr 
G. Dick 
D. Harris 
K. McCullar 
J. Wilson

Statistical Leaders


West Virginia Mountaineers
PPG: E. Stevenson (15.5)
APG: K. Johnson (3.3)
Reb/G: T. Mitchell (5.3)

Kansas Jayhawks
PPG: J. Wilson (19.7)
APG: D. Harris Jr. (6.3)
Reb/G: J. Wilson (8.4)

Coaches:
West Virginia Mountaineers: Bob Huggins (16th season)
Kansas Jayhawks: Bill Self (20th season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

© 2024 Al McMordie's BigAl.com. All Rights Reserved.