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Iowa State vs. West Virginia prediction and odds for Wednesday, February 8 (Value on the under)

By Reed Wallach

Feb 4, 2023; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Erik Stevenson (10) celebrates after a made three point basket against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2023; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Erik Stevenson (10) celebrates after a made three point basket against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Iowa State and West Virginia meet in Morgantown on Wednesday, each off of two impressive victories.

The Cyclones continued their home excellence, beating Kansas 68-53 on Saturday, moving to 12-0 straight up at home in one of the best defensive efforts of the season. However, they have been far worse at home, 4-5 against the spread this season and face a West Virginia team that is off a 32-point win at home against Oklahoma on Saturday night.

Can ISU get their road woes in tact, or will West Virginia win their fourth game in five tries?

Here are the odds for Wednesday’s matchup:

Iowa State vs. West Virginia odds, spread and total

Iowa State vs. West Virginia prediction and pick

These are two high end Big 12 defenses, Iowa State is the best for that matter, centered around their intense ball pressure that is turning opponents over at the highest rate in the country. West Virginia isn’t so great at protecting the rock, right around the Big 12 average, but do thrive on generating second chances and getting to the free throw line, second and first respectively in those categories.

Iowa State fouls at a high rate, but it also has the best interior defense in the conference and limit second chances at a higher rate than any other Big 12 team. If Iowa State is able to clean the glass, this game should be a low possession affair, the team is outside the top 300 in terms of pace, per KenPom.

On the other end, West Virginia is similar to Iowa State in many ways, high ball pressure, strong rebounding and foul at a high rate.

However, neither team is good at the line, each below 70%, and I don’t trust Iowa State to maintain their Big 12 best 3-point shooting on the road against a strong perimeter defense in West Virginia.

This game has all the makings of an ugly one and I’m looking to the under as my favorite bet.

Track all of Reed’s bets at Betstamp HERE!

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.