NIT Picks: Colorado State vs Buffalo 3/19/21 College Basketball Picks, Odds, Predictions

The Colorado State Rams battle the Buffalo Bulls Friday in college basketball NIT Tournament action from UNT Coliseum. 

Buffalo enters this NIT matchup at 16-8 so far. The Bulls had a seven-game win streak snapped by Ohio on Saturday. As for the Rams, they’re sitting at 18-6 this season. Colorado State is 1-2 in their last three outings and coming off a loss to Utah State. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

The Bulls started out the season on a rather choppy run of 6-6 over their first dozen games, but since then they’ve found a better groove. Buffalo has lost just twice in their last 12 outings, most recently to Ohio in conference tournament action back on Saturday. 

In the 84-69 loss to Ohio on Saturday, Buffalo’s Ronaldo Segu put up 24 points with two rebounds and two assists to lead the team. Josh Mballa doubled up on 16 points with 11 rebounds, and Jayvon Graves had 13 points with eight boards and three assists. 

Over on the Colorado State side, they’ve been a pretty consistent team this year and are yet to lose consecutive games. The Rams had a five-game win streak going in February and early March, but have gone 1-2 in their last three with losses to Nevada and Utah State. 

In the 62-50 tournament loss to Utah State on March 12, Colorado State’s Isaiah Stevens led the team on 15 points with seven boards and two assists. David Roddy added 12 points with 10 boards, and Dischon Thomas chipped in nine points with six rebounds. 

The Bulls are 6-0 ATS in their last six after an ATS loss and 5-0 ATS in their last five after a straight-up loss. Buffalo is 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight neutral-site games and the under is 6-1 in their last seven overall. 

Meanwhile, the Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last five as a favorite and 7-2-1 ATS in their last 29 Friday games. The under is 6-2 in Colorado State’s last eight overall and 8-3 in their last 11 after an ATS loss. 

PICK: I’m going to stick with Buffalo. The Bulls have been a good offensive team this season, and it’s not often they finish below 70 points. Buffalo had an off outing on Saturday versus Ohio with the 84-69 loss, but prior to that they’d hit 74 or more points in seven straight outings. Colorado State should be able to hang around for a while here but this should be Buffalo’s cover/win to take if they play to their capabilities.