Colorado Buffaloes vs West Virginia Mountaineers Picks and Predictions January 17th 2026

Last Updated on

Colorado Buffaloes vs West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Preview

The Colorado Buffaloes look to pull off a road upset, while the West Virginia Mountaineers aim to defend their home floor in this Big 12 clash at WVU Coliseum.

Line Movement and Odds

West Virginia enters as the favorite, but Colorado’s offensive firepower makes this line competitive. Current market:

  • Colorado Spread: +5.5 (-112)
  • West Virginia Spread: -5.5 (-111)
  • Colorado MoneyLine: +202
  • West Virginia MoneyLine: -258
  • Total: 144.5 (-110)

Check College Basketball Odds for live updates and sharper angles.

Track Every Line Move Before It Happens

Stay Ahead of the Public, Every Time.

Matchup Breakdown

Colorado Outlook

The Buffaloes average 84.5 points per game, with Isaiah Johnson, Barrington Hargress, and Bangot Dak leading the offense. Johnson’s 16.1 points per game highlight his consistency, while Hargress’ 14 points vs Cincinnati showcased his impact. Colorado’s shooting efficiency (48.9% FG, 41st nationally; 78% FT, 40th nationally) underscores their strengths. Their 11-7 record and ability to compete as underdogs (4-2 ATS) highlight resilience, making them a dangerous opponent.

West Virginia Outlook

The Mountaineers average 73.2 points per game, with Honor Huff, DJ Thomas, and Seth Wilson driving production. Thomas’ 16 points vs Houston highlighted his consistency, while Huff’s 13 points showcased his scoring punch. West Virginia’s shooting efficiency (36.6% from three) and home record (11-2) underscore their strengths. Their 12-6 record and ability to win convincingly at home highlight consistency, making them tough at WVU Coliseum.

Key Factors

This matchup may hinge on pace and perimeter defense. Colorado thrives on efficient shooting and offensive depth, while West Virginia must rely on three-point accuracy and home-court energy to tilt the game. Turnovers and late-game execution will likely decide the margin.

Basketball
2026-01-17 11:59
Final
Virginia Cavaliers
SMU Mustangs
Basketball
2026-01-17 14:00
Final
Florida Gators
Vanderbilt Commodores
Basketball
2026-01-17 20:00
Open
BYU Cougars
Texas Tech Red Raiders

Injuries / Availability

Colorado: No injuries reported.

West Virginia: No notable injuries listed.

Environment

WVU Coliseum has been a reliable venue for West Virginia, where they’ve gone 11-2 this season. Colorado enters with confidence from strong offensive performances, making this a clash of home strength vs road-tested resilience.

Go Inside the Handicappers’ Playbook

All in one spot. Real-time line moves, sharp reads, and verified edges.

Best Bets and Prediction

Projected Final Score: West Virginia 78, Colorado 75

  • Colorado +5.5 → Best Bet. Their offensive efficiency and balanced scoring suggest they can stay within the number.
  • Over 144.5 → Total play. Both teams’ scoring profiles point toward a combined score above the line.

West Virginia’s depth and home-court advantage should carry them to victory, while Colorado’s offense keeps the spread in play. Expect a high-scoring contest with totals surpassing the posted number.

Handicappers and Service Plays

Big 12 games often create unique betting opportunities. Our Best Handicappers highlight experts who consistently read market trends, while the Leaderboard shows who’s riding hot streaks. Premium insights in Buy Picks provide deeper reasoning behind each wager. For contests like Colorado vs West Virginia, expert perspectives can help identify sharp angles in spreads and totals.

Yesterday
Sas Insider
$590
2. William Taylor
$345
3. Sports Central
$298
4. Randall Dickelman
$261
5. Logan Wilson
$200
This Week
Sean Kuchman
$1,303
2. Sas Insider
$1,205
3. Madjack Sports
$1,142
4. Pro Picks – Mike
$975
5. Bill Blatt
$675
This Month
Sas Insider
$2,220
2. Madjack Sports
$1,528
3. Coach Rick
$1,422
4. Wise Guy Plays
$1,377
5. Logan Wilson
$1,187