Mercyhurst Lakers vs West Virginia Mountaineers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/22/24
Planning on watching today’s Lakers and Mountaineers game? Catch the action at WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, WV, as the Mountaineers hosts this showdown at 2:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 136.5 points, and West Virginia is favored by -32.5 at home against Mercyhurst.
MERCYHURST LAKERS VS WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Mercyhurst Lakers +32.5
This game will be played at WVU Coliseum at 2:00 ET on Sunday, December 22nd.
WHY BET THE MERCYHURST LAKERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 90-60 in favor of the Mountaineers.
- Even though we have West Virginia winning straight-up, we like Mercyhurst at +32.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 136.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 150 points.
Do the Lakers Have a Shot at a Road Win?
Mercyhurst fell to 3-8 on the season after a 62-60 loss to Binghamton on Wednesday. Despite being +6 point underdogs, the Lakers kept it close and covered the spread. The game’s total points of 122 fell short of the 132.5 O/U line.
Mercyhurst led 28-24 at halftime but allowed 38 points in the 2nd half while scoring 32. The Lakers couldn’t hold on for the win, but they showed some fight on the road.
In their last game, the Mercyhurst Lakers managed just 60 points, shooting 40.4% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 42.3%. Their three-point shooting was a struggle, hitting only 3 of 16 attempts for 18.8%, while they were more successful from the free-throw line, connecting on 15 of 18 for 83.3%.
Chris Walker was a bright spot, hitting 3 of 6 from deep and finishing with 17 points and 5 assists. Tymu Chenery added 19 points despite shooting just 1 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Mercyhurst’s defense gave up 62 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 45% from the field, connecting on 22 of 48 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 53% shooting, as the other team went 17/32 on two-point shots.
From three-point range, Mercyhurst held their opponents to 31% shooting, with 5 made threes on 16 attempts. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 20 times, where they made 13, shooting 65%. The Lakers limited offensive rebounds, giving up just 5.
Will the Mountaineers Secure A Victory as Home Favorites?
West Virginia improved to 8-2 on the season with an 84-61 win over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday. Playing at home, the Mountaineers were -23.5 favorites going into the game but didn’t cover the spread.
West Virginia led 41-30 at halftime and added 43 points in the second half while allowing 31. The combined score of 145 points went over the pre-game O/U line of 137.5.
West Virginia put up 84 points in their latest game, shooting 46.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 55.2%. They hit 38.5% from three-point range, connecting on 10 of 26 attempts, and were nearly perfect from the free-throw line, going 20 for 22 (90.9%).
Javon Small led the way with 27 points and 6 assists, shooting 46.7% overall and 50% from beyond the arc. Amani Hansberry contributed 16 points on 66.7% shooting, while Jonathan Powell and Brayon Freeman each added 14 points, with Powell hitting 4 threes at a 44.4% rate.
West Virginia’s defense gave up 61 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 46% from the field. Inside the arc, they conceded 17 two-point baskets on 32 attempts, a 53% shooting rate.
From three-point range, the opposition hit 10 of 26 shots, shooting 38%. They also went to the free-throw line 22 times, converting 20 of those for a 90% success rate. West Virginia allowed 6 offensive rebounds.