Colorado vs Washington State Prediction Basketball Picks 12-31-23

The Washington State Cougars and the Colorado Buffaloes meet Sunday in college basketball action from Coors Events Center. Washington State enters this one at 9-3 on the year following a loss to Utah back on Friday. As for Colorado, they’re riding a five-game win streak at 10-2 and coming off a victory over Washington. Let’s get into our Washington State vs. Colorado prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Washington State Cougars 

The Cougars notched a 2-1 run to start out the year (with a lone loss to Mississippi State), then took out Rhode Island, Utah Tech, Eastern Washington, Portland State, UC Riverside and Grambling in the next six outings. A 1-2 stretch came afterward featuring losses to Santa Clara and Utah. 

In the Utah matchup, Washington State kept the pace well in the first half with a two-point deficit at the break. The Cougars were drilled 49-29 in the second half however, and lost 80-58. Leading team scorer Isaac Jones doubled up on 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaylen Wells added 10 points off the bench. 

Colorado Buffaloes

Over on the Buffaloes’ side, they won four straight games out of the gate to start the year, then fell in two of the next three to Florida State and Colorado State. Since then it’s been a nice five-game win streak, featuring victories over Pepperdine, Miami, Northern Colorado, Utah Tech and Washington in that time. 

In the Washington game back on Friday, the Buffaloes took a 32-26 lead into the second half. Colorado scored another 41 points from there and held on for the win 73-69. KJ Simpson doubled on 21 points and 10 boards, as did Eddie Lampkin with 17 points and 12 rebounds in the winning effort. Colorado will meet Arizona after this game. 

ANDREW’S FREE WASHINGTON STATE VS COLORADO PREDICTION 

I’ll probably just stay with Colorado here. The Buffaloes are playing very well these days (and all year, really). In their last matchup versus a pretty good Washington team, Colorado shot a solid 44.1 percent from the field with 49 rebounds and 14 assists. All five starters finished in double-figures as well. The Buffaloes have had a few close calls this year, but their only two losses have each come by six points or fewer. 

As for Washington State, they had a bad second half against Utah in their last outing and haven’t passed 66 points in three straight games. The Cougars can follow along here if they play well, but I don’t think they’ll ultimately keep a cover pace.