The Colorado State Rams and the Texas Longhorns meet Thursday in NCAA Tournament First Round college basketball action from Spectrum Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. Here’s a Colorado State vs Texas prediction. We will examine:
- The Colorado State recent form and player performance
- The Texas recent form and player performance
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving Colorado State
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving Texas
- Recent betting trends in games played between Colorado State and Texas
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Colorado State vs Texas game
Colorado State Rams Betting Preview
The Rams had a couple of spotty runs this year but otherwise have played pretty consistently. Colorado State hit a 2-4 stretch in January and a 1-4 run in February, but then took out Wyoming, Air Force, San Jose State and Nevada before a conference tourney loss to New Mexico.
In the First Four matchup versus Virginia on Tuesday, the Rams were able to move on. Colorado State kept the Cavaliers in check 27-14 in the first half and finished on a 40-28 run for a dominant 67-42 win. Joel Scott was the team’s top scorer on 23 points with 11 rebounds.
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Texas Longhorns Betting Preview
Over on the Longhorns’ side, they’ve had a pretty brutal schedule and have only been able to win consecutive games twice so far during this calendar year. Texas finished the regular season on a 3-1 run with a lone loss to Baylor, then fell to Kansas State in the conference tourney.
Matched up against Kansas State last Wednesday, the Longhorns jumped out to a 39-29 advantage by the break. Texas was drilled 49-35 from there however, resulting in a 78-74 defeat. Tops in scoring was Max Abmas, who notched 26 points and four rebounds in the loss.
Texas Longhorns Team Facts
- Texas has won 10 of its last 11 games when playing with a rest advantage.
- Each of Texas’ last six games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 152+ points.
- Texas has won the first half in each of its last 23 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Colorado State Rams Team Facts
- Colorado State has won each of its last nine night games against non-Conference opponents.
- Each of Colorado State’s last seven night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 137 or fewer points.
- Colorado State has won the first half in seven of its last eight night games against non-Conference opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- Texas ranks 35th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (18.5).
- Texas ranks 36th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (15.9).
- Colorado State ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (1.83).
- Colorado State ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (18.5).
Colorado State vs Texas Prediction
I’ll take a stab on Colorado State. The Rams have been a plucky bunch this year, and it’s paid off with a berth in the First Round. The Virginia game was a defensive clinic, as Colorado State held the Cavs to just 25 percent from the field and 17.6 percent from 3-point range with a 43-24 rebounding advantage. The 13 turnovers were the only real blemish. The Rams have been below 68 points in consecutive games but had hit 70 or more in five straight prior to that.
As for Texas, they’ve scored 74 or more points in five straight, which is a pretty solid achievement given the tricky teams the Longhorns have had to contend with. If Texas is on point here I think they’ll do well, but on paper Colorado State should have plenty of weapons to power out a cover/win. Should be a fun matchup.