The Colorado State Rams (6-3) and Colorado Buffaloes (4-5) meet Thursday at the CU Events Center in Boulder. The opening tip is slated for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Colorado State vs. Colorado odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Colorado State lost as a 16-point favorite its last time out. A Rams defense that had been solid for 8 games was undone by Northern Colorado shooting 57.1% from the field in the 88-83 loss on Saturday. Colorado State has been 1 of the top shooting teams in college hoops. The Rams’ 56.8% effective field-goal mark ranks 14th in the nation.
The Buffaloes, who have won their last 2 games against the Rams in 2018 and 2019, are just 1-3 straight-up and 0-4 against the spread (ATS) since Nov. 20. Colorado has played a 4 neutral-site games and is on its home hardwood for just the 3rd time. The Buffs are 8-1 in their last 9 regular-season, non-conference games at the CU Center.
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Colorado State at Colorado odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:28 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Colorado State +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Colorado -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Colorado State +3.5 (+100) | Colorado -3.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Colorado State at Colorado picks and predictions
Prediction
Colorado 75, Colorado State 69
Moneyline
CSU has not faired well against this level team so far. Some shooting regression cropping up in an in-state road game would also not be a surprise.
Colorado is the lean here, but only an actionable one at -180 or better.
PASS.
Against the spread
For Colorado, recent games against Texas A&M (103-75 win on Nov. 18), Yale (65-62 win on Nov 27) and Arizona State (60-59 loss on Dec. 1) have some underlying game-flow and stats facets that fit this contest against Colorado State.
CU has logged a low shooting percentage on a lot of looks from in and around the paint. Look for some helping regression there and some downward regression in CSU’s shooting numbers. The Buffs can help that latter point along: they have been quite good in defending the perimeter.
Peg the BUFFALOES -3.5 (-120) as a decent value. They are worth a partial-unit play; more if the price drops to a level -110.
Over/Under
A decent pace can be expected in this match-up. The total listed is solid enough, though. Consider a line-watch: take the Over if the number drops to 140.5. Otherwise, STEER CLEAR.
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