KU-WVU: No Bill Self, and Hearing No Kevin McCullar
KU-WVU: No Bill Self, and Hearing No Kevin McCullar
A word on Self, McCullar and the betting markets
In this Hearings newsletter:
Quick word on Bill Self
McCullar not expected to play
Betting market breakdown
Self Won’t Coach the WVU Game
I debated sending an email today at all. Bill Self isn’t coaching today vs. WVU. There’s nothing more to say than the official statement, which I’ll share below.
Yes, I’ve seen internet rumors and guessing about why Self isn’t coaching. To put it simply: I won’t engage in speculation about someone’s health. There are plenty of things worth speculating on. This isn’t one of them.
Let’s trust KU’s statement that he’s doing well and leave it at that.
Kevin McCullar Also Expected to Miss the WVU Game
I’m also HEARING Kevin McCullar will miss today’s game vs. WVU.
On Wednesday, Bill Self said McCullar was limited at practice due to back spasms with the hope he could play vs. WVU. However, word early Thursday was that KU didn’t think he’d be able to play. McCullar could still give it a run if he feels up to it at game time, but it seems unlikely as of now.
McCullar had two moderate-to-strong games against WVU this season. He had an efficient 16 points in the Feb. 25 meeting and 12 points in the earlier season matchup.
Without McCullar, KU will cycle through its bench to find the right option. The most likely choice is playing small, but I’ll be interested to see if MJ Rice, Ernest Udeh, or Zach Clemence get some run.
The Bets
TODAY: Kansas Jayhawks vs. WVU Huggy Has Never Won at AFH Mountaineers
Opening spread: Kansas favored by 3 points
Current spread: Kansas favored by 3.5 points (as of 1:21pm CT)
DraftKings is reporting 82% of bettors and 71% of money wagered is on Kansas to cover the spread. (via VSiN)
Action Network is reporting 57% of bettors and 34% of money wagered is on WVU to cover the spread.
My Take:
The betting markets are useless today, considering the news about Self and McCullar. We can still track is line movement, which bumped all the way up to KU being favored by 4.5 points until the news broke. It’s trickled down to 3.5 now.
It appeared bettors liked KU until today’s information, which is understandable.
The other note is that KU has been legitimately great against the spread in Kansas City lately. I need to crunch numbers and should hopefully have KU’s betting record in KC for tomorrow’s Hearings.