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The Colorado Buffaloes (25-10) lock up with the Florida Gators (24-11) Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. (TBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Colorado vs. Florida odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The 10-seed Colorado fell to the Oregon Ducks 73-65 in the Pac-12 Championship Game Saturday. They followed up their strong conference tourney showing by defeating Boise State 60-53 in the First Four game Wednesday. F Tristan de Silva led the Buffs with 20 points, and G KJ Simpson added 19 points, 11 boards and 4 assists. Simpson leads the Buffaloes with 19.6 PPG. Colorado went 2-2 against ranked opponents this year.
Seventh-seeded Florida, No. 23 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, was blown out 86-67 by the Auburn Tigers in the SEC title game Sunday. G Walter Clayton Jr., who led the Gators with 17.1 PPG, struggled with just 13 points on 3-for-10 shooting. Florida went 3-6 against ranked opponents this season.
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Colorado vs. Florida odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:41 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Colorado +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Florida -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Colorado +1.5 (-115) | Florida -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 158.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Colorado vs. Florida picks and predictions
Prediction
Colorado 84, Florida 81
Moneyline
The Gators led the nation with 39.8 rebounds per game and were 2nd in offensive boards at 13.1. Colorado was OK on the glass tied for 93rd in the country with 33.8. The Buffaloes have size underneath with 6-foot-11, 265-pound Eddie Lampkin Jr. Florida’s depth is going to be tested after backup C Micah Handlogten broke his leg in the conference tourney.
I give the slight edge to the Buffaloes here. They’re 7th in the nation with 39.1% from downtown. The Gators were tied for 167th at 34.2%, and Clayton Jr. struggles to provide offense when his 3-ball isn’t falling.
Take COLORADO +100.
Against the spread
I’ll pass on the insurance and key in on a prop that makes sense. Clayton is averaging 17.1 PPG and goes through cold streaks. He has been held to 13 and 16 in his last 2 games, and I’ll take WALTER CLAYTON JR. UNDER 17.5 POINTS (-110).
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Over/Under
Florida is 8-2 O/U over their last 10 games, and Colorado is 5-5. Florida plays at the 6th-best pace in the nation at 85.1. Colorado amps it up, too, tied for 54th at 78.7.
It’s a big number, but the way these teams run-and-gun, LEAN OVER 158.5 (-105).
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