The Colorado State Rams and the Northern Colorado Bears meet Tuesday in college basketball action from Bank of Colorado Arena. Colorado State is currently 2-0 thus far and coming off a blowout victory versus Wright State. As for Northern Colorado, they’re sitting at 2-0 as well. The Bears beat Northern NM last Wednesday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Colorado State Rams

The Rams are off to a nice start in the record column thus far, however they were pretty sluggish in the first half of the opener versus LA Tech. After being down 34-33 at halftime, Colorado State surged in the second for a comeback win 81-73. The Rams ended up shooting 51 percent from the field in that one, but got out-rebounded 39-23. 

In game two versus Wright State, the Rams had a modest 45-42 lead by the break. Colorado State once again turned it on in the second half with 60 more points in a 105-77 blowout win. Isaiah Stevens posted 22 points and set a school record with 14 team assists. Nique Clifford added 19 points with nine rebounds as well. 

Northern Colorado Bears 

Over on the Bears’ side, they’ve had a couple of solid wins versus overmatched schools so far. First came an 87-58 result versus Colorado College in the opener. Northern Colorado scored 47 points in the second half to cap that one off. Brock Wisne led the charge with 13 points, while both Dejour Reaves and Zach Bloch posted 12 points apiece. 

In game two versus Northern New Mexico last Wednesday, the Bears surged with a 39-17 first half and eventually won it 81-60. Saint Thomas was the points leader this time with 20 alongside 12 rebounds and six assists. Wisne notched 19 points with four rebounds, and Marcell McCreary had 14 points in 19 minutes. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to lean toward Colorado State. Probably not touching it, though; the Rams have had issues with slow starts over their first couple of games, and that could end up biting them on the scoreboard. That said, Colorado State shot a blistering 63.6 percent from the field in their latest win over Wright State and also managed to rebound a little better with a 31-27 advantage on the boards. The Rams took good care of the ball on just nine turnovers, and set a school record with 37 team assists in the win. 

As for Northern Colorado, this will be their toughest matchup of the young season so far. The Bears have been idle for a few days as well, which might affect their chemistry in the early-going. That said, I like Northern Colorado to give the Rams a good effort in an eventual Colorado State cover.