Even with their 17 point loss at Kansas State (17-7, 7-4) on Feb. 8, #19 Texas' (19-5, 8-3) has been a story of transformation, from a team with relatively little hype into one of the hottest in the country. I recall previewing the UNC-Texas game on Dec. 18 (back when UNC was ranked) and picking UNC, figuring they'd prove their superior talent. They didn't (and are only starting to prove that now), losing to the Longhorns, 86-83. But it took Texas a few more weeks to gain their footing before they rattled off seven in row, including four consecutive wins against Iowa State, Kansas State, Baylor (when they were ranked), and Kansas (only the Baylor game, however, was away). Even after the big K-State loss, they came back with a big win over a beleaguered Oklahoma State squad on Feb. 11. Tonight at 7:00 pm EST, they face another team that's discovered their talent late, West Virginia (15-10, 7-4).
The Mountaineers have held tough in the Big 12, and have won five of their last seven games, three to Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Iowa State (a blowout).
Only a six point favorite at home, Texas isn't getting the respect its record has warranted. Even though they cumulatively haven't played exceptionally well at home, where three of their five losses have come, their home court, as previously stated, hasn't been kind to away teams lately. Perhaps the mere 6 points can also be attributed to the ample respecting given to West Virginia. Against Iowa State in particular, they were 1.5 point favorites, which I couldn't believe at the time, but turned out to be 23.5 points too low.
As much as I love West Virginia and the way they've been playing, I'm hesitant to take them for anything less than eight points. Texas for the cover.
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Record: 15-20
Butler @ Creighton: L (picked Butler, +10.5)
UConn @ Memphis: L (picked Memphis, -7.5)
Depaul @ Villanova: W (picked Villanova, -17.5)
Pittsburg @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -5.5)
Creighton @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)
Baylor @ Kansas: W (picked Baylor, + 10.5)
Indiana @ Michigan State: L (picked Michigan State, -12)
Iowa @ Michigan: L (picked Iowa, + 1.5)
Colorado @ Arizona: W (picked Colorado, + 14.5)
Illinois @ Ohio State: W (picked Illinois, + 11)
Michigan @ Michigan State: W (picked Michigan, + 4.5)
Villanova @ Marquette: W (picked Villanova, -3)
Utah @ Arizona: W (picked Utah, + 15)
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State: W (picked Oklahoma, + 4.5)
Villanova @ Georgetown: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)
Michigan State @ Iowa: W (picked Michigan State, + 5)
St. John's @ Creighton: W (picked St. John's, + 12)
Iowa State @ Kansas: L (picked Iowa State, + 8.5)
Syracuse @ Wake Forest: L (picked Syracuse, -10)
Purdue @ Michigan: L (picked Michigan, -12)
Florida @ Mississippi State: W (picked Miss. State, + 15)
Duke @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -3)
Xavier @ Villanova: L (picked Xavier, + 10)
Nebraska @ Michigan: L (picked Nebraska, + 13)
Boston College @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -13)
Oregon @ Arizona: L (picked Arizona, -11)
Oklahamo State @ Texas Tech: W (picked Texas Tech, + 6.5)
West Virginia @ Kansas: L (picked WVU, + 14)
Maryland @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -11)
Iowa State @ West Virginia: L (picked Iowa State, - 1.5)
Michigan @ Ohio State: L (picked Ohio State, -3.5)
Florida @ Tennessee: W (picked Florida, - 1.5)
Syracuse @ Pittsburg: W (picked Syracuse, + 2.5 -- absurd line)
Villanova @ Depaul: W (picked Villanova, -14)
Creighton @ Butler: L (picked Creighton, -8.5)
