West Virginia vs Cincinnati Prediction 2/5/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article we will formulate a West Virginia vs Cincinnati prediction for this College Basketball game on Thursday, February 5th at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Preview

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 14-8 (5-4) this season after they lost to Baylor by a score of 63-53 in their last game. West Virginia trailed 38-30 at halftime and they only scored 23 points in the second half in the ugly loss. The Mountaineers shot 36% from the field, 26% on three pointers, and 67% on free throws in the game. Brenen Lorient led WVU with 19 points and three rebounds, while Chance Moore added nine points and four rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, West Virginia defeated Kansas State by a score of 59-54, but lost to Arizona by a score of 88-53 before that. The Mountaineers have scored 70.8 points per game with 35.3 rebounds and 13.2 assists per game, while they have allowed 63.8 points against per game this season. Honor Huff is averaging 15.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, while Brenen Lorient is averaging 10.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Mountaineers. West Virginia is shooting 44.6% from the field, 68.6% on free throws, and 35.5% on three pointers this season. 

Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Bearcats are 11-11 (3-6) this year after they lost to Houston by a score of 76-54 in their last game. Cincinnati trailed 32-20 at halftime and they allowed 44 points in the second half in the loss. The Bearcats shot 38% from the field, 43% on three pointers, and 62% on free throws in the game. Jalen Celestine led Cincinnati with 15 points and two rebounds, while Keyshaun Tillery added 14 points and one assist in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Cincinnati defeated Baylor by a score of 67-57, but lost to Arizona State by a score of 82-68 before that. The Bearcats have scored 71.5 points per game with 37.6 rebounds and 16.5 assists per game, while they have allowed 67.4 points against per game this season. Baba Miller is averaging 13.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, while Day Day Thomas is averaging 11.0 points and 3.7 assists per game for the Bearcats. Cincinnati is shooting 41.9% from the field, 66.0% on free throws, and 30.4% on three pointers this year. 

Why the Cincinnati Bearcats will win

• Cincinnati has won 21 of its last 22 Thursday games at Fifth Third Arena.
• West Virginia has lost nine of its last 11 road night games against the Big 12 Conference.
• West Virginia has lost the first half in seven of its last eight road games against the Big 12 Conference.

Why the West Virginia Mountaineers will win

• West Virginia has won 14 of its last 15 Thursday night games.
• Cincinnati has lost three of its last four games against Conference opponents.
• Cincinnati has lost the first half in three of its last four games against Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of West Virginia’s last six Thursday games against the Big 12 Conference have produced a total of 139+ points.
• Six of Cincinnati’s last seven games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 128+ points.

West Virginia vs Cincinnati Prediction 

Cincinnati comes into this matchup after losing three of their last four games and they have allowed at least 76 points in all three of those losses. The Bearcats are shooting 42% from the field, but they do play much better at home. West Virginia has dropped two of their last three games and their offense has scored fewer than 60 points in three straight games. I don’t trust this WVU offense to score, so I will back Cincinnati to cover at home.

David Racey's Pick: Cincinnati -5.5