The No. 11 Michigan Wolverines (17-14) meet the No. 6 Colorado State Rams (25-5) Thursday in a NCAA Tournament South Regional game in Indianapolis. Tip from Gainbridge Fieldhouse is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Michigan vs. Colorado State odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Wolverines lost to Indiana in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament despite leading by 13 at half, and considering their 14 losses, many were expecting them to be in the First Four if in the tourney at all. But they managed to sneak into the first round.
Michigan is just 13-18 against the spread (ATS) this season. It is led by 7-foot-1 C Hunter Dickinson who is averaging 18.3 points per game.
The Rams are led by G David Roddy, who averages 19.4 points per game. Colorado State is top 100 in both points per game (75) and opponents’ points per game (66.4).
Three of Colorado State’s five losses this season were to teams in the tournament.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Michigan vs. Colorado State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Michigan -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Colorado State +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan -1.5 (-107) | Colorado State +1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
[tipico]
Michigan vs. Colorado State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Colorado State 68, Michigan 64
Money line
BET COLORADO STATE +102.
The Rams are the No. 6 seed for a reason, and they have an impressive pre-NCAA tourney resume, having beaten San Diego State and Boise State, both 8 seeds, No. 9 seed Creighton, and now-eliminated 12th-seeded hopeful Wyoming.
It has two junior guards, Roddy and Isaiah Stevens, averaging 19.4 and 14.9 points per game, respectively. They’re experienced and consistent, two things that fans should love in March.
The Rams should have a 6-foot-9 or 6-foot-10 player on the court at all times as it will be crucial to help counter Michigan’s Dickinson, who would typically dominate smaller schools.
The Rams’ game plan almost has to be doubling him every time he gets the ball in the post. Given that Michigan ranks 167th in three-point shooting, I expect them to struggle if forced to make threes to win.
Michigan also has some bad losses to teams like UCF and Minnesota and shouldn’t be trusted. It will be a public favorite, and in sports betting, typically going against the public is where money is made.
Against the spread
PASS.
I prefer the better odds on Colorado State to win outright. It has not had a 1-point loss all season.
Over/Under
LEAN to the UNDER 137.5 (-112).
Neither the Rams and Wolverines play at a high pace.
Both rank outside the top 200 programs in adjusted tempo per Kenpom. As noted, Michigan may also struggle if the Rams opt to consistently double down on Dickinson, which seems likely.
While both teams rank in the top 20 in offensive efficiency, they also each rank in the top 100 in defensive efficiency.
Combine the defensive aptitude with the pace, and the Under looks like the better option. CSU is 10-19 O/U this season while Michigan is 3-7 O/U in non-conference games.
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