The West Virginia Mountaineers take on the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson, Arizona. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on CBS.
Arizona is favored by 17.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -4000. The total is set at 144.5 points.
Here’s my West Virginia vs. Arizona prediction and college basketball picks for January 24, 2026.
West Virginia vs Arizona Prediction
My Pick: West Virginia +16.5 or Better
My West Virginia vs Arizona best bet is on the Mountaineers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
West Virginia vs. Arizona Odds
| West Virginia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+17.5 -110 | 144.5 -110o / -110u | +1550 |
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-17.5 -110 | 144.5 -110o / -110u | -4000 |
- West Virginia vs Arizona spread: Arizona -17.5
- West Virginia vs Arizona over/under: 144.5 points
- West Virginia vs Arizona moneyline: West Virginia +1550, Arizona -4000
West Virginia vs Arizona College Basketball Betting Preview
At first, this game seems like one to avoid.
Arizona looks unbeatable, and everyone is counting on the Wildcats to keep rolling. Their results so far suggest they’re far better than most teams they’ve played.
But if you take a closer look at how Arizona has been winning, and who the Wildcats have faced, the spread starts to look too high.
Arizona’s offense is excellent but risky. The Wildcats rank in the top 30 nationally in effective field goal percentage and top 40 in 2-point shooting, which is impressive. However, their recent big wins have mostly come from unsustainable 3-point shooting.
They shoot 3s very well, although the Wildcats don’t take many. That mix, making a high percentage on a few attempts, suggests they might not keep it up, especially against a defense that can limit interior offense.
This is where West Virginia comes in.
The Mountaineers rank in the top 45 nationally in defensive efficiency, and they’re even better at defending shots inside the arc, ranking in the top 15 nationally.
Arizona likes to attack the paint and move the ball to break down defenses, but West Virginia’s discipline and ability to force tough 2-point shots could change how this game plays out.
If Arizona’s 3-point shooting drops even a little, the game could become much more of a battle than the betting line suggests.
West Virginia also has a real edge in terms of experience and physicality.
The Mountaineers rank in the top five nationally in roster experience, while Arizona sits closer to the middle of the pack. That matters in a road environment against a ranked team laying a big number. Veteran teams tend to manage runs better, avoid panic turnovers, and keep games within striking distance, especially when the opponent is priced as they’ll never miss a shot.
Arizona’s defense is strong, ranking in the top 10 nationally for defensive efficiency.
Still, West Virginia’s offense can keep up. The Mountaineers rank in the top 85 in offensive efficiency and the top 45 for 3-point shooting. They also move the ball well and create good shots.
West Virginia isn’t one-dimensional or easy to shut down. The Mountaineers spread the floor, take 3s, and don’t depend on offensive rebounds to score, which matters against an Arizona team that rebounds very well.
Tempo is another important factor.
West Virginia plays at one of the slowest speeds in the country, ranking outside the top 300 in average possession length. This slow pace is helpful when catching a lot of points on the road — fewer possessions mean fewer chances for Arizona to go on big scoring runs.
Arizona might win this game comfortably. But expecting the Wildcats to keep shooting as well as they have, especially against one of the best interior defenses they’ve faced, seems too good to be true.
This sets up as a classic buy-low, sell-high spot.
Arizona’s current form has pushed the line past the true gap between these teams, and West Virginia has all the ingredients you want in a dog catching a ton of points. The ‘Neers have defensive resistance inside, offensive balance, experience, and tempo control.
This isn’t really about Arizona being overrated. It’s more about the market overinflating the spread.
My Pick: West Virginia +16.5 or Better
