Colorado State vs Utah State Odds
| Colorado St Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 150.5 -105o / -115u | +120 |
| Utah State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 150.5 -105o / -115u | -145 |
The Colorado State Rams will hit the road following a victory over New Mexico to face the surging Utah State Aggies on Saturday. Utah State is quickly emerging as a legitimate NCAA Tournament team, and knocking off the No. 13-ranked Rams could make an impressive statement.
Colorado State Rams
Colorado State runs one of the most modern offenses in college basketball, featuring a five-out style with ball screens galore. Stopping the five-out offense is difficult when elite point guard Isaiah Stevens is surrounded by four shooting threats. Stevens could've entered the transfer portal and picked his school, but instead chose to return to Colorado State, where he has become a leading candidate for the Bob Cousy Award this season.
Stevens is the catalyst for the Rams' elite offense, which ranks 11th in offensive efficiency. The team boasts an effective field goal percentage of 59.2% (third nationally) and has a top-five assist rate in college hoops. Very few teams move the ball better than Colorado State, and the stats back it up.
While Stevens is incredible, don't underestimate the importance of Patrick Cartier in coach Niko Medved's offense. Cartier is the ideal pick-and-roll partner for Stevens because of his strong shooting and cutting capabilities. The 6-foot-8 Cartier has scored 13-plus points in seven straight games and tallied a season-best 21 points against New Mexico.
I have some concerns about Colorado State slowing down the dominant Great Osobor from Utah State. We saw the Rams face an elite big man in Quinten Post during their 12-point win over Boston College in November. Post scored 22 points and shot 4-of-12 from 2-point range. Post presents a more versatile offensive arsenal than Osobor, but the Rams' front-court tandem of Joel Scott and Cartier can contain Osobor. Perhaps the best option is forcing the 63% free-throw shooter to make foul shots once he gets good inside position.
You won't find many better point guard matchups than Stevens against Darius Brown II. Stevens and Brown both average more than seven assists per game, and Brown averages only 1.2 turnovers per contest — making them two of the more underrated playmakers in the country.
Utah State Aggies
Utah State has won 12 consecutive games and won its past two by 20-plus points.
The most impressive aspect of Utah State's torrid start is the way it has won games. In arguably the Aggies' biggest win, they downed the dominant defensive San Francisco Dons, 54-52. The Aggies offense can also lead to wins, which makes them super dangerous. The really good teams find ways to win against their typical style of play.
Utah State's offense relies on Osobor, who's averaging 18.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest. The Montana State transfer scored 32 points in the Aggies' recent win over Air Force.
The biggest obstacle for Danny Sprinkle's offense is perimeter shooting woes. Utah State only connects on 29% of its 3-pointers, albeit on relatively low volume. The lack of shooting can make the Aggies a one-dimensional offense, as teams will feel comfortable doubling Osobor in the post without the perimeter shooting threat. Keep an eye on bench shooter Javon Jackson, who's quickly earning more minutes as the team's top shooting option.
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Colorado State vs. Utah State
Betting Pick & Prediction
There won’t be many underdog spots for Colorado State during conference play, and surely people will see this as a classic “trap line.”
I just think the books undervalue Colorado State. We've seen how good the Rams are — they beat Creighton and New Mexico in convincing fashion before a hiccup against Saint Mary's sans two valuable rotation pieces. I like Utah State and think its a possible NCAA Tournament team, but Colorado State is just a totally different beast and belongs in the same discussion as San Diego State from a season ago.
