The Monday after the Super Bowl should be a holiday with no school, work, and everyone is off. Unfortunately that is not the case, but now that the Super Bowl is over the next big sports event is March Madness. With March Madness on the horizon every team is locked into winning every game to secure their ticket to the tournament.
The first game for our best bets on Monday is a Big 12 matchup between West Virginia and Kansas State. Kansas State is a good team, but I think West Virginia is better even as an underdog. The next game is an ACC matchup with Virginia against rival Virginia Tech. This should be a great game that comes down to the wire. We finally end the day with another Big 12 matchup with Oklahoma State against #8 Kansas. Very different teams and Kansas should easily win this one.
Now let’s take a closer look at our best bets for Monday.
An even matchup between two Big 12 teams. Both West Virginia and Kansas State are good teams, but have struggled with Big 12 opponents. This game should come down to the wire, every possession counts.
West Virginia is not doing good for West Virginia basketball standards. West Virginia is 14-10, but 3-8 in Big 12 play. They have lost tons of conference games in the final minutes of games. If West Virginia can improve on closing out games they could be a great team. West Virginia has struggled to score on offense all season but they do have a good defense. They only allow opponents 66.4 points per game. West Virginia just needs to improve their 41% shooting from the field to win more games.
Kansas State has a very similar season so far to West Virginia and their record reflects that. Kansas State is 13-11, but 5-7 in conference play. Still not great in the Big 12, but better than West Virginia. Kansas State also struggles on offense and has a good defense. Kansas State does have the advantage of playing at home in this game, but they are 8-6 at home so it’s not as much of an advantage as it should be.
West Virginia has just looked better than Kansas State all season that’s why we like them with the three points given to them.
An ACC matchup between rivals Virginia and Virginia Tech. This is a very even matchup, but I believe Virgina has the slight advantage even on the road.
Virgina is getting hot at the perfect time right before March. Virgina has won four straight and beat a top team in Duke a few days ago. Virginia is 16-9 and has really played well against ACC opponents with a 10-5 record. Virginia’s defense is great and has been over the four game win streak. During the four game win streak the only opponent they allowed over 60 points was Duke. Virginia has a smothering defense that forces opponents to turn the ball over and take low efficient shots.Virginia should give their rivals trouble scoring.
Virginia Tech is off to a good season with a 15-10 record and a 5-7 ACC record. They have won five straight. During the win streak Virginia Tech has been great on offense scoring over 70 points in every game and 80 in two games. Virginia Tech has not been an outstanding offensive team all season, but lately they have looked great. They average 71 points per game, but I think it will be hard to reach 70 against a great defensive team with Virginia. Virginia Tech has played well on offense as of late, but all good things come to an end.
With Virignia’s great defense we like them with the 4.5 points given to them.
The Final matchup of the night and another Big 12 matchup between Oklahoma State and #8 Kansas. Kansas is one of the best teams in the Big 12 and the country should easily win this game at home against an inconsistent Oklahoma State team.
Kansas is a top team in the country; they have a 20-4 record and have played great all season. Kansas has played tough competition all year and has played well, but has lost some close games as well like to Texas recently. Kansas is still atop the Big 12 and dont look like they are going to give it up anytime soon. Kansas is a great offensive team that just averages around 80 points per game. They have a deep team that can score inside and from deep. Kansas also shoots 50% from the field as well as a team. Kansas, a great team all around, should have no problem against Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma State is 12-12 and has improved as the season goes on, but will not be tournament bound in March like they were last year. Oklahoma State is not a great offensive team, but they are pretty good defensively. They only allow opponents 66.5 points per game, but what holds them back is their offense that only averages 69.8 per game. Oklahoma State will not be able to keep up with Kansa’s great offense.
With Kansas’s superior offense we’ll take the Jayhawks to cover the 10.5 point spread.
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