Colorado State vs Boise State Odds, Pick
| Colorado St Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -115 | 144.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
| Boise State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -105 | 144.5 -110o / -110u | +110 |
The Mountain West looks positioned for five NCAA tournament bids with Utah State, San Diego State, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado State.
If Boise State wants to enter that conversation, it begins with a victory over the Colorado State Rams on Tuesday in ExtraMile Arena.
Colorado State Rams
Colorado State melted down in the latter stages against Utah State on Saturday. An off shooting night (8-of-24 from 3) prevented the Rams from maintaining their lead in an eventual 77-72 loss.
But that's a rare off shooting night for one of college basketball's most consistent offenses. The Rams sit 12th in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom, and rank top five in effective field goal percentage.
All-American caliber guard Isaiah Stevens scored 21 points with eight assists in the victory, so he still managed to produce in a losing effort. Stevens leads the Rams with 17.6 points and 7.4 assists per contest.
Versatile wing Nique Clifford also deserves some props. Clifford has been a total revelation coming over from Colorado via the transfer portal. He's a true 3-and-D player, hitting 52% of his 3-pointers and locking down opposing wings on defense.
Colorado State's defense is susceptible to post-oriented bigs. That's an issue since Boise State has multiple big-man scoring options inside. Utah State's Great Osobor carved up the duo of Patrick Cartier and Joel Scott, so the Rams' defense down low will be a key in this one.
Boise State Broncos
Boise State is the polar opposite of Colorado State in how it wins basketball games. Coach Leon Rice wants his defense to dictate the game.
The Broncos rank 45th in defensive efficiency compared to 89th in offensive efficiency. Defense is typically the staple of Boise State teams, but one major difference in the Broncos' attack this year is the point guard situation.
Having a player like Marcus Shaver Jr. made the point guard spot a plus in most games. Without Shaver, it's an entirely different story. Guards Roddie Anderson III and Jace Whiting struggle often. Anderson is averaging four points, two assists and two turnovers per game while Whiting's numbers look even worse. If Boise State wants to beat Colorado State and win more big games moving forward, figuring out the point guard conundrum will be key.
Boise State's offense needs big outings from forwards O'Mar Stanley and Tyson Degenhart. Stanley is coming off a dominating 30-point outing against San Jose State and has scored 20-plus points in three straight games. Degenhart brings a little more versatility as a floor-stretching threat, averaging 15 points and shooting 33% from deep.
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Colorado State vs. Boise State
Betting Pick & Prediction
I'm extremely skeptical about Boise State beating good teams without a point guard. In the biggest games and biggest moments, the Broncos don't have a guy who can break down the defense and create shots — especially against a team of Colorado State's caliber with arguably the best point guard in college basketball.
