Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic Championship Game
Orleans Arena – Las Vegas, Nevada
#7 Baylor Bears vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Friday, December 23, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Baylor -5
Current Line: Baylor -5 1/2
Opening Total: 133
Current Total 134
Opening Money Line: Baylor -230 / West Virginia +190
Current Money Line: Baylor -240 / West Virginia +200
The #7 Baylor Bears are 11-0 under coach Scott Drew. The Bears are one of 6 undefeated teams left in college basketball. Baylor takes on 9-2 West Virginia in the championship of the Las Vegas Classic Friday night. West Virginia is coached by Bob Huggins, who got his 700th career win in the semifinals of this tournament against Missouri St Thursday night 70-68 in overtime. The Mountaineers also have wins over Oral Roberts, Kansas St, and Miami-Florida this season. West Virginia has losses to Kent St and Mississippi St in the SEC/ Big East Challenge. Baylor has wins over San Diego St, Northwestern, BYU, and St. Mary’s last night in the semis 72-59. Baylor and West Virginia have never played before, but the schools will be conference rivals as early as next season when West Virginia leaves the Big East for the Big 12.
Baylor is outscoring opponents 79-57 this season. The Bears are shooting 50.5% from the field, including 41.7% from 3 point range. Baylor makes 72.3% from the free throw line. The Bears average 39.6 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +7.3. Baylor averages 16.1 assists, 15.3 turnovers, 8.7 steals, and 7.7 blocks a game. Baylor opponents are shooting 35.3% from the field, including 31.2% from 3 point range. The Bears force 17 turnovers a game on defense.
Baylor has 5 players averaging double digit scoring. Perry Jones III averages 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block a game. Quincy Acy averages 12.7 points, 7.4 rebounds to lead the team, 1 steal, and 2.6 blocks a game to lead the team. Quincy Miller averages 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1 block a game. Pierre Jackson averages 11 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.4 steals a game to lead the team in the latter two categories. Brady Heslip averages 10.1 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1 assist a game. Miller Jackson and Heslip all shoot at least 38.9% from 3 point range.
West Virginia is outscoring opponents 77-65 this season. The Moutaineers are shooting 48% from the field, including 32.1% from 3 point range. West Virginia makes 62% of their free throws. The Mountaineers average 39.3 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +7.5. WVU is averaging 16 assists and 15.8 turnovers a game. The Mountaineers average 7.5 steals and 2.8 blocks a game. West Virginia opponents are shooting 42.2% from the field including 31.9% from 3 point range. The Mountaineers force 16.9 turnovers a game.
West Virginia forward Kevin Jones averages 20.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks a game. He leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. Darryl Bryant averages 16.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1 steal a game. Deniz Kilicli averages 11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. He is doubtful with a hip injury. Jabarie Hinds averages 7.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals a game. He leads the Mountaineers in steals and is tied for the team lead in assists with Gary Browne. Center Pat Forsythe is doubtful with a back injury, and Center Aaric Murray is ineligible this season.
West Virginia is 5-3 ATS and the total is also 5-3 this season. Baylor is 4-0 ATS and the total is 2-2 this season. The Mountaineers are 4-1 ATS after failing to cover, 6-2 against Big 12 teams, 5-2 in non-conference games, and overall, 2-7 in Friday games, 1-6 as an underdog, including 1-4 as an underdog of 6.5 points or more. The Bears are 4-0 ATS after a win, against teams with winning records, in non-conference games, and overall, 8-3 in Friday games, and 0-6 following a cover.
Baylor hasn’t faced a team this season as talented at West Virginia, but by the same token West Virginia hasn’t faced a team as talented as Baylor yet either. Both teams are comfortable playing in the 70’s so this could be a high scoring affair. I like Baylor to win a close game.
