Monday College Basketball Betting Odds, Betting Picks & Predictions: West Virginia vs. Texas & Baylor vs. Oklahoma

For Monday's college hoops action, we take a deep dive into the Big 12 for two key matchups.

Will West Virginia bounce back after a bad road loss at Kansas State? And can Baylor continue rolling at home against Oklahoma?

Let's take a look at these top games from Monday's slate.

Monday College Basketball Odds & Picks

Odds as of Monday morning and via FanDuel, where Action Network users get a risk-free bet up to $500.

West Virginia vs. Texas

• Spread: West Virginia -9
• Over/Under: 130.5
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPNU

Few basketball teams have exceeded preseason expectations more than West Virginia (14-3) this season. The Mountaineers were predicted to finish in the middle of Big 12, but entered Monday ranked 12th in the country and are tied for third place in the conference. They are 10-7 against the spread and have covered their last four home games by a differential of +53.5 points.

Texas (12-5) has continued their usual enigmatic play with a 3-3 record over its last six games including two conference losses at home. The Longhorns are just 6-11 ATS, including 1-2 in three true road games.

West Virginia is a perfect 8-0 at home coming off an 81-49 thrashing of TCU last Tuesday. The Mountaineers boast a superior defense, ranking third in adjusted defensive efficiency and second in effective field goal percentage.

However, their biggest advantage against Texas will be their stifling 3-point defense. Bob Huggins' squad holds opponents to an average of 25.1% from beyond the arc, second-best in the nation.  The Longhorns generate 38.7% of their points from deep, the 26th most in the country.

While "Press" Virginia isn't the same as season's past, the Mountaineers are exceptional at forcing turnovers in the half-court. They rank 55th with an average of 15.7 turnovers forced per game, while Texas ranks 220th in offensive turnover percentage.

The Longhorns did score an impressive 76-64 road win at Oklahoma State on Jan. 15, but the Cowboys don't present nearly the rebounding presence of the Mountaineers, who rank third overall in offensive rebounding percentage. Both forwards Oscar Tshiebwe (11.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg) and Derek Culver (10.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg) will cause major problems for a Longhorns' team that ranks 288th in defensive rebounding percentage.

This is a Texas team that swept West Virginia last season and will not "sneak up" on the Mountaineers.

I recommend giving the nine points with a solid defensive West Virginia team playing in front of a packed gym in Morgantown.

THE PICK:  West Virginia -9

Baylor vs. Oklahoma 

• Spread: Baylor -10
• Over/Under: 136.5
• Time: 9 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN

The Baylor Bears (15-1) just might be the best team in the nation right now. They have reeled off 14 straight wins after a 3-point neutral-court loss to Washington.  The Bears are a perfect 5-0 in Big 12 play and have defeated five ranked teams this season. Baylor is 11-5 against the spread, having covered five games in a row and six of their last seven games.

Oklahoma (12-5) has been a pleasant surprise after being predicted to finish eighth in the Big 12 Preseason Poll. The Sooners are 3-2 in conference play and are coming off an impressive 20-point win at home against TCU on Saturday.

But this is a Baylor team that boasts one of the best defenses in the country, ranking fourth overall in adjusted defensive efficiency per KenPom. Their zone defense can be susceptible to offensive rebounds, but Oklahoma ranks a lowly 332nd in offensive rebounding percentage. The Bears are stifling inside the arc, allowing opponents to only shoot an average of 41.2%, which is 12th best in the country.

In their last six home games, Baylor has held its opponents to an average of 52 points per game. In their last three games vs. the Sooners, the Bears have only allowed an average of 54.6 ppg.

Oklahoma will hope their scoring duo of Kristian Doolittle (16.4 ppg, 42.5% 3P), Brady Manek (15.3 ppg, 43.4% 3P) can find openings outside the arc to convert from long range. Last year, they went a combined 1 of 8 from 3P in the Sooners two losses to Baylor.

The Sooners should be able to hold down Baylor's offense, having limited opponents to 66 points or less in four of their past five games. The Bears' offense, while ranked 23rd in adjusted offensive efficiency, has scored 68 points or fewer in four of their five Big 12 games.

Baylor generates a ton of second-chance scoring opportunities as a byproduct of their ninth-best overall offensive rebounding percentage.

I'm going to give the points with the Bears and take the under what should project as a double-digit, slow-paced Baylor win.

THE PICK:  Baylor -10; Under 136.5