Lehigh vs. West Virginia: Game Insights and Predictions

Ross Hodge and the Mountaineers are 3-0 to the under in his first year as head coach - NCAA Basketball Picks

There is something different about Sunday hoops. The pace, the effort, even the atmosphere all feel off from the rest of the week. Maybe it is because half these kids are thinking about an 8 a.m. class the next morning. Whatever it is, betting college basketball on a Sunday feels different. For a while, I could never get a read on these games, but over time I have learned that the odd rhythm of the day actually tells you a lot if you pay attention. Some teams handle it like pros, others look like they would rather be anywhere else. Today, one matchup stands out to me more than any other, and it fits that Sunday vibe perfectly.

Let us dive into why Lehigh versus West Virginia is one of my favorite matchups on today’s slate.

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Lehigh vs. West Virginia Odds

Can Ross Hodge keep up his under streak?

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Spread

Lehigh: +17.5 (-108)

West Virginia: -17.5 (-112)

Total

Over: 140.5 (-110)

Under: 140.5 (-110)

Moneyline

Lehigh: N/A

West Virginia: N/A

Lehigh vs. West Virginia Best Bet

Sunday afternoon college hoops have never been kind to me. Last year, I kept coming back every week, taking lines and totals that I loved, only to get burned. People forget these kids have class the next day and are not playing basketball full time. They get the Sunday scaries just like the rest of us. I have them right now as I type this piece out. Luckily, those same Sunday scaries line up perfectly with what I have my eyes on this afternoon.

Ross Hodge Loves Unders

West Virginia enters this matchup off back to back wins, but that is not what has impressed me. Both of those games went under the total, which is no surprise under former North Texas head coach Ross Hodge. The former Mean Green coach runs one of my favorite brands of basketball in the country. His teams play lockdown defense and execute with precision on offense, all while operating at a pace slower than your mom walking over when you want to show her something on the television. In other words, they run at a turtle like speed from start to finish.

The Mountaineers just beat Campbell 73 to 65 in a game that opened with a total of 140.5. Before that, they took down Mount Saint Mary’s 70 to 54 with a total of 136.5. So, have the markets failed to catch up to Hodge’s style, or are the Mountaineers due for a high scoring affair? I lean toward the markets being a step behind the fun.

Hawks vs. Slow Pace

Lehigh, on the other hand, is coming off a loss to another slow paced squad in Houston. The Hawks fell 75 to 57, with the total staying under by four points. Both Houston and West Virginia rank near the bottom nationally in pace of play.

Lehigh did grab an easy win on Thursday, beating non-Division I Valley Forge 91 to 52. That was a much needed breather between facing two top 60 programs.

I fully expect the Mountaineers to suffocate Lehigh’s offense and limit their possessions. If Coach Hodge is in the building, points will be at a premium. I grabbed this total at the current number, expecting it to drop. It has danced between 140.5 and 139.5, and I think either number works fine. Just make sure to shop around for the best possible line.

West Virginia should control this game from start to finish. As a 17.5-point favorite, they have every advantage and should keep things comfortable throughout. There should also be no late fouls to mess up the total with meaningless free throws. Some people were sweating in that Campbell game, but I do not expect that this afternoon.