WVU Vs. Oklahoma Odds & Basketball Betting Preview

Written By Derek Helling on February 13, 2021 - Last Updated on April 26, 2021

If the fact that both the Mountaineers and Sooners are top 15 teams isn’t enough to convince you that Saturday’s game between the two Big 12 teams will be close, then perhaps a deeper dive into the statistics will. There isn’t much separation in the numbers for the upcoming WVU vs. Oklahoma game.

West Virginia is a 2.5-point favorite to keep winning in Morgantown, but Oklahoma makes a good pitch for believing in the underdog here. That’s especially true when you consider prop bets for this game.

What the numbers say about WVU vs. Oklahoma

WVU averages just about a point per game more than OK, and the Sooners have a slightly better shooting percentage on the season (44.4%-43.2%), justifying the tight spread. Other data supports the conclusion as well.

The 14th-ranked Mountaineers come in having won five of their last six games, including a road victory at No. 7 Texas Tech and an impressive defending of WVU Coliseum against No. 23 Kansas. The Sooners, currently ranked 12th, have claimed victory in six of their last seven, though.

Oklahoma walked away the winner in four of the last five meetings between these teams. That includes the game in Norman earlier this year. If you’re looking for stronger trends in the recent form of these teams, a prop bet on the first half might be of interest.

OK has won the first half in each of its past five games against WV. Additionally, it’s taken a lead into the half in each of its past seven day games. With this contest scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m. EST on ESPN+, that streak is on the line.

The Sooners had an 18-point lead at halftime when these two teams met early in January. Another market to consider in this contest is the total. If Oklahoma has another strong first half, it could make those who bet the over here happy.

The raw data on the total odds for this game

The total on this game sits at around 145, depending on which West Virginia sportsbook you’re looking at. That number is a bit south of what men’s basketball games at WVU Coliseum average this season (147.0).

It’s even shorter of these two teams’ combined scoring average of 152.3 points. In their first meeting, the Mountaineers and Sooners combined for 146 points. The over is 11-8 in WVU games this season.

That 11-8 mark includes hitting in each of WVU’s past five outings. However, as bettors undoubtedly know, there are two teams in this game. The over is just 7-10 in all OK games and 2-3 over Oklahoma’s past five outings.

The Mountaineers should win their fourth straight here, but it could be a high-scoring affair if recent form proves an accurate forecast. To get their 15th win of the season, WVU will need to disrupt the Sooners’ habit of taking control of games early.

Photo by Justin Rex / The Associated Press
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Derek Helling

Derek Helling is a lead writer for PlayUSA and the manager of BetHer. He is a 2013 graduate of the University of Iowa and covers the intersections of sports with business and the law.

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