First Round: Colorado State vs Michigan 3/17/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Colorado State Rams and Michigan Wolverines clash Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The 11-seed Michigan Wolverines finished their regular season with an overall record of 17-14 record and was able to punch their ticket to the NCAA Championship by earning an at-large bid. Michigan came into this season with high-expectations, however, the Wolverines struggled for the most part of the season which included earning just an 8-seed in the Big Ten Championship and getting bounced from the Big Ten Championship after losing to the Indiana Hoosiers by a 74-69 margin in the 2^nd round. Michigan did pick up some nice wins against San Diego State, Purdue, Iowa, Michigan State, & Ohio State this season, however, still have lost 5 of their last 9 games coming into the tournament.

On the season, Michigan is averaging 73.0 ppg on 46.8% shooting from the field. The Wolverines are averaging 6.4 three-pointers per game on 34.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Michigan has been led by Hunter Dickinson (18.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.4 bpg), Eli Brooks (12.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.2 spg), DeVante’ Jones (10.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.0 spg), Caleb Houstan (10.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.4 apg).

Defensively, Michigan is allowing their opponents to average 69.9 ppg on 44.7% shooting from the field. The Wolverines have a rebound margin of 5.5 and a turnover margin of -1.5.

The 6-seed Colorado State Rams finished their regular season with an overall record of 25-5 and earned their trip to the NCAA Championship after earning an at-large bid. Colorado State earned the 2-seed in the Mountain West Tournament and defeated the Utah State Aggies in Quarterfinals, however, the Rams couldn’t make it to the Mountain West Championship after being defeated by the 3-seed San Diego State Aztecs, 63-58, in the Semifinals. Colorado State had an outstanding start to their season, winning their first 11 games, and picked up some solid victories this season against Creighton, Saint Mary’s, Mississippi State & Boise State (twice).

On the season, Colorado State is averaging 73.7 ppg on 48.5% shooting from the field. The Rams are averaging 7.6 three-pointers per game on 35.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Colorado State has been led by David Roddy (19.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.1 bpg), Isaiah Stevens (14.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1.2 spg), John Tonje (9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Kendle Moore (6.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.0 spg), & Chandler Jacobs (5.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg).

Defensively, Colorado State is holding their opponents to an average of 65.7 ppg on 42.7% shooting from the field. The Rams have a rebound margin of 0.1 and a turnover margin of 2.3.

The Wolverines are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss & 35-16-2 ATS in their last 53 neutral site games. The Rams are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 neutral site games as an underdog & 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.

Michigan has been led by their offense this season which ranks 124^th in scoring offense, 43^rd in FG%, & 75^th in FT%, however, the Wolverines have struggled a bit defensively as they rank just 194^th in scoring defense & 256^th in defensive FG%. Colorado State was solid on both ends of the court this season as the Rams come into this game ranked 107^th in scoring offense, 13^th in FG%, & 71^st in scoring defense.

Colorado State is solid team that should some success against Power 5 schools in their non-conference schedule, however, despite being solid offensively statistically this season, we have seen the Rams struggled at times on the offensive end as Colorado State is averaging just 60.0 ppg in their last 6 games. Michigan certainly has struggled overall this season, however, this is still a team that has the talent to beat some of the best teams in the country and between the fact that the Wolverines defeated San Diego State by a 14-point margin early this season and that I think their offense has some solid success against the Rams, I’m taking Michigan to cover this small spread. Good Luck!