BYU Cougars vs West Virginia Mountaineers Picks and Prediction for Saturday, February 28 2026
Use Code WWWC Big 12 action on a Saturday afternoon from Morgantown at 5:30 PM ET, anchored by this BYU vs. West Virginia prediction. No. 19 BYU (20-8, 8-7 B12) is headed to the NCAA Tournament, but is tied for seventh place with TCU in the incredibly tough Big 12. West Virginia (16-12, 7-8 B12) is on the outside looking in with a 66 NET Ranking, but could make it interesting by going on a late run. These teams met twice last season, with BYU winning both games. Check out more free College Basketball Games at Winners and Whiners.
Dealing without Saunders
On February 14, BYU's season took a turn for the worse when third-leading scorer Richie Saunders tore his ACL. Saunders averaged 18 points per game, grabbed 5.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals and shot 37.6% from three-point range. He was more than just a 6-5 wing who could shoot, and predictably, the Cougars lost two of their next three games. Surprisingly, they were able to beat Iowa State at home on Feb. 21 as a 2.5-point dog after losing at Arizona by seven. But on Feb. 24, they fell to UCF at home 97-84.
In the loss to UCF, freshman star A.J. Dybantsa led the way with 29 points and eight rebounds, while Robert Wright III added 20 points and seven assists, but shot just 7-of-21. The Cougars shot just 41% from the field and allowed the Knights to shoot 56% from the field and 58% (14-of-24) from three-point range.
Three-point defense has been a concern as the Cougars rank 216th (34.2%). Dybantsa is having a tremendous season with 25.1 points per game and 6.8 rebounds, while shooting 53.2% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range. Wright adds 18.1 points and 4.9 assists, while shooting 47.2% from the field and 43.1% from long range.
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According to KenPom, the Cougars rank 21st overall, 9th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and 47th in Adjusted Defense. They also rank 35th in total rebounding percentage.
Mountaineers looking for a big win
West Virginia has a lot of work to do to get on the bubble. At 4-7 in Quad 1 games, they could certainly use a win over BYU, but going undefeated in their last three games is a must, as they also play Kansas State on the road and UCF at home. They will also have to win a few games in the Big 12 Tournament and would have a shot. But losing games to Oklahoma State in overtime (91-84) in their last game on Feb. 24, is not going to help matters. They've now lost three straight and four of their last five games.
In the loss to Oklahoma State on Tuesday, Honor Huff led the way with 20 points, while Treysen Eaglestaff added 18 points and two steals. The Mountaineers shot 49% from the field and 39% (12-of-31) from beyond the arc, but just 6-of-12 from the free throw line. But the Cowboys shot 10-of-23 from beyond the arc (10-23) and made 19 of 27 from the line.
KenPom has the Mountaineers ranked 65th overall, 146th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and 23rd in Adjusted Defense. They rank 120th in total rebounding percentage. Huff leads West Virginia with 15.5 points per game, but is shooting just 36.5% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range.
Spread Pick and Prediction for BYU vs. West Virginia
BYU vs. West Virginia Prediction and Odds
- BYU -2.5 (5 units)
BYU, even without Saunders, is a much better team in this matchup. They played Arizona pretty tough on the road and beat Iowa State. West Virginia lost to lowly Utah at home as a 10.5-point favorite on Feb. 18. Even though they are a strong home team, they've lost three straight at home. Expect BYU to get their pace of play and get the ball to Dybantsa, who is basically unguaradable against most teams. You can double him, but you cannot leave Wright open. The West Virginia three-point defense (35.5%) is a big issue in this matchup.
- Over 140.5 (5 units)
BYU has gone over in three of its last five games. Defense isn't always a priority for the Cougars, while West Virginia just gave up 91 points at home. The Cougars are an uptempo team that ranks 47th in Adjusted Tempo, while West Virginia wants to slow it down. BYU is averaging 85.5 points per game overall and 83.4 points per game on the road. The Mountaineers' lack of three-point defense against a sharpshooting BYU squad is another reason to take the over.
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