Midweek Madness: Hoops Edition

Yep, More Madness.

West Virginia v Oklahoma

West Virginia is averaging 74 PPG on offense. They have 4 guys averaging double figures each game, those being Esa Ahmad and James Bolden (12 PPG), Derek Culver (11 PPG), and Lamont West (10 PPG). The Mountaineers are an ok shooting team, averaging around 42% from the floor. With their best player being Culver at 54% and Ahmad at 47%. They don't bring much of a threat from deep if not any. With their highest shooters from deep are James Bolden (35%), and Chase Harler (34%). On defense, they hold teams to 74 PPG and force 13 turnovers a game while committing a not so good 16 turnovers a game.

The Sooner's offense is averaging 73 PPG. Their top scorers are Christian James (16 PPG), and Brady Manek (11 PPG). They shoot better from the floor than West Virginia at around the 45% mark. With their best interior shooter being Kristian Doolittle (51%). The Sooner's are similar with the Mountaineers from 3-pt range with their best shooter from deep being Aaron Calixte (37%). Their defense holds teams to 67 PPG, and force 13 turnovers per game while also committing 13 turnovers themselves. 

While there is not a whole lot of separation on the offensive side of the ball, This game looks like its going to come down to who has the most efficient defense. And comparing these two teams, Oklahoma has the better defense here.  And while both teams struggle on offense, Oklahoma looks like a more consistent shooting team from both the paint and from deep, and Oklahoma's ability to not turn the ball over will be key against a Mountaineer team that consistently turns the ball over 16 times a game. Oklahoma  

Miami v #12 Va Tech

Miami's offense is averaging 75 PPG. They have several guys that are averaging  double figure points a game, those being Chris Lykes (17 PPG), Anthony Lawrence Jr. and Dejan Vasiljevic (12 PPG), Ebuka Izundu (11 PPG), and Zach Johnson (14 PPG). Miami is a decent shooting team as they average 45% from the floor. With a big interior presence coming from Izundu who is 64% from the floor. Miami is not great from deep with their deep threats being Vasiljevic (42%), and Lawrence Jr. (35%). On defense, the Canes hold teams to 71 PPG, while forcing 14 turnovers a game while committing just 12 a game. 

Va Tech is averaging 79 PPG on offense. And like Miami, the Hoakies have several guys as well averaging double figure points a game, like Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17 PPG), Kerry Blackshear Jr and Ahmend Hill (13 PPG), and Justin Robinson (14 PPG). The Hoakies are probably one of the best shooting teams I have predicted here this season, averaging 50% from the floor.  With the Alexander-Walker and Blackshear being their best shooters from the floor (53% and 52% respectively). They do have a lot of guys who are threats from outside with Ty Outlaw (48%), Hill (44%), Walker and Robinson (43%). On defense they hold teams to 62 PPG, while also forcing 15 turnovers a game while just committing only 11. 

I see this game being mostly dominated by the Hoakies. As Miami is currently on a 3 game skid, and may be without Ebuka Izundu and Zach Johnson who are one of their best interior guys. And even if they do play, this is a Miami team going against a really good Va Tech team who can beat you in the paint and from deep at a high clip. And who in my opinion, look like a better team. #12 Va Tech