The New Mexico Lobos (21-9, 8-9 Mountain West) battle the Colorado State Rams (5-12, 13-17) in Ft. Collins Friday at 11 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the New Mexico vs. Colorado State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
In a rematch of an 88-69 victory on Dec. 28 by New Mexico as 5.5-point favorites, the Lobos come in after defeating Fresno State 92-80 on Tuesday while Colorado State limps in after losing 63-46 at San Jose State.
Following a 14-0 start to the season, the Lobos were looking to be headed into March Madness. Now the Lobos will need to likely win the Mountain West Conference Tournament to get an invite to the dance.
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New Mexico at Colorado State at Buffalo odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): New Mexico -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Colorado State +122 (bet $100 to win $122)
- Against the spread (ATS): New Mexico -2.5 (-115) | Colorado State +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 156.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Miami (Ohio) at Buffalo picks and predictions
Prediction
New Mexico 88, Colorado State 75
Moneyline
PASS.
New Mexico is not bad value at -155 in this game. With the struggles it has had since entering conference play, this would normally be the way to go. But the Rams have phoned it in.
After losing 63-46 to San Jose State on Tuesday, I do not see the Rams putting up much fight here. The Lobos are still fighting for a postseason berth and this should propel the Lobos forward. Adding this to a parlay would be a fine play. But I would even consider adding the ATS number of -2.5 to a parlay for better payout. I feel this strongly about the Lobos in this spot.
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Against the spread
NEW MEXICO -2.5 (-105).
After defeating the Rams by 12 at home in December, the Lobos only enter this game as 2.5-point favorites. And the line is favoring the Rams. Why? This is the question without an answer.
The Rams have not done well this season and with this being the final weekend before the conference tournament, I do not see the Rams getting things together.
One of the areas Colorado State has struggled with this season is against good teams. Even at home, the Rams are 1-6 ATS in its last 7 against a team with a winning road record.
Look for the Lobos to use its offense to control this game from start to finish and easily cover the -2.5.
Over/Under
OVER 156.5 (-110).
This line jumped a full point as I typed this preview. Las Vegas knows something and I am willing to play along.
Colorado State has allowed its games to go Over in 17 of 28 games this season. This includes 10 of 13 following an ATS loss in its earlier outing. The Rams have also gone Over the total in 9 of 10 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600.
These numbers bode well for a New Mexico team which ranks 15th in the country in offense at 81.1 points per game and is going against a defense allowing 71.4 points (222nd). With New Mexico 13th in the country at 48.7% from the field, this could easily hit the Over with time to spare.
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