College Basketball Game of the Week – #5 Syracuse vs. #9 West Virginia

No. 5 Syracuse Orange (15-1 SU, 9-3 ATS) at No. 9 West Virginia Mountaineers (13-2 SU, 6-8 ATS)

Saturday, January 16: 12:00 p.m.

Here are some NCAA Betting Trends which may impact this game:

Syracuse: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
Syracuse: Total has gone OVER in 6 of their last 9 games

West Virginia: 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
West Virginia: 3-3 ATS on the road

If you’re looking for an exciting game to wager on in this weekend’s college basketball betting, look no further than the Big East, where the No.5 ranked Syracuse Orange, visit the No. 9 ranked West Virginia Mountaineers.

Syracuse has been the surprise of the Big East this season, as they’ve jumped out to an incredible start, after losing their top three scorers from a year ago, including Jonny Flynn, who ended up being the No. 6 pick in the NBA Draft.

This year, it’s a new cast of characters getting it done, led by potential All-American Wesley Johnson. Johnson, who transferred from Iowa State, has been nothing short of a superstar in his first year in the Big East, leading Syracuse Orangemen in both scoring and rebounding. Andy Rautins helps out on the perimeter, and gives this team a veteran savvy from the shooting guard position. Rick Jackson and Arinze Onawaku are physical low post bangers combining to average over 11 rebounds per game.

As for West Virginia, they’ve ascended very quickly under third year coach Bob Huggins, and might be the most complete team in the Big East. They are athletic in the frontcourt, with Devin Ebanks and Kevin Jones in charge, while Darryl “Truck,” Bryant runs this offense from the point guard position. But more than any other player, Da’Sean Butler is the emotional leader of this team, as well as its leader on the court, averaging a team-high 15.9 points per game.

When deciding which way to place your bets in this game, the key will be deciding who has the upper hand: West Virginia’s solid defense, or Syracuse high scoring offense. On the year, the Orange lead the Big East in points per game, averaging 85.5, and literally get production from every player on the court. West Virginia Mountaineers on the other hand holds opponents to 42 percent shooting (as a team Syracuse shoots 53 percent) allowing just 61 points to the opposition.

Having seen both of these teams play several times, expect West Virginia to have the upper hand. It’s not that Syracuse isn’t a talented team, because they are. But in all their games so far, they have yet to see a team as athletic, especially in the front court, as West Virginia is. And make no mistake, the Mountaineers defense is for real, holding two of their last three Big East opponents to under 55 points.

Syracuse ‘s record isn’t an accident, they’re a really good team. But the matchup’s in this one favor West Virginia. With the home crowd behind them, expect the Mountaineers to do enough to win you some money in this weekend’s NCAA Basketball Betting picks.

Aaron’s Pick: West Virginia by 4