Michigan vs Colorado State Odds and Picks

• The 11-seeded Michigan Wolverines are 2-point favorites over the #6 Colorado State Rams in an NCAA Tournament South Regional first-round game on Thursday, March 17
• Michigan is 3-4 straight up in the last seven games
• Below, see the Michigan vs Colorado State odds and best bets

On paper, this matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and Colorado State Rams might seem like a mismatch.

The Rams (25-5, 14-15 ATS) were steady performers all season long, going 14-4 in the Mountain West Conference. They reached the conference tournament final.

Michigan (17-14, 13-18 ATS), meanwhile, has gone up and down like a Six Flags roller coaster. Michigan was ousted by Indiana in its opening game of the Big Ten Tournament.

Nonetheless, it’s the tournament-tested Wolverines who are getting the nod in the odds for this opening-round South Regional game.

Michigan vs Colorado State Odds

Odds as of March 16th at Barstool Sportsbook.

Despite being the #11 seed, the Wolverines are 2-point favorites over the #6 Rams. Colorado State is 2-2 against the spread as a betting underdog this season.

The game is set for 12:15pm ET on Thursday, March 17 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and will be broadcast by the CBS Sports Network.

Including either of these teams in your longterm March Madness betting strategy might not be a sound decision. Oddsmakers don’t foresee these schools being a factor in the NCAA Tournament title odds. Michigan is offered at +13500 odds to take the championship. Colorado State is a +30000 longshot.

Michigan Is Tournament Tested

The Wolverines do hold something that the Rams don’t – an NCAA Tournament resume. They won the big dance in 1989 and have been to the final six other times, including recent visits in 2018 and 2013.

It’s that time of year. We’ve officially arrived in Indy for March Madness 😈🏆

〽️🏀 | #GoBlue | #ForCompetitorsOnly pic.twitter.com/yqs1Q0q4EC

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) March 15, 2022

While this is the 11th NCAA Tournament appearance for Colorado State, the Rams have only made it as far as the Elite Eight on one occasion. That happened in 1969.

Jones Out For Wolverines

Michigan will be without a key player when taking the floor to face Colorado State. A practice mishap saw guard DeVante’ Jones taking an elbow to the face. That has put him into concussion protocol and on the sidelines for the opener.

So, now confirmed by Michigan

• Starting point guard DeVante' Jones did not travel to Indianapolis. He is in concussion protocol
• He’s out for Thursday’s Colorado State game
• Program hopes he’ll be available for the Round of 32, if it advances.

It’s Frankie Collins Time

— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) March 16, 2022

Jones is averaging 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists so far this season. On top of that, he was figuring to draw the assignment guarding Colorado State’s Isaiah Stevens.

The productive back court scorer is averaging 14.9 points per game for the Rams this season, along with a team-leading 4.8 assists per game. Stevens has hit for double digits in each of the past 10 games.

Colorado State a Talented Bunch

It’s easy to shrug off the Rams as a mid-major squad from the Mountain West left to tangle with a traditional Big Ten power. Overlook Colorado State at your own peril.

Which mid major prospect could boost his draft stock with a big NCAA Tournament performance? Colorado State’s David Roddy, who takes on Moussa Diabate, Hunter Dickinson and Michigan. Powerful, skilled and competitive at 6-6, 255. Big fan of his NBA outlook. pic.twitter.com/H0Nn2Ddf6A

— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) March 16, 2022

The Rams are led by junior guard David Roddy. He’s topping the team in points (19.4), rebounds (7.6) and blocks (1.1) Roddy is considered to be of NBA caliber. He’s even on the board in Wooden Award odds, albeit a longshot at +37,500.

Colorado State shows a 31 ranking from KenPom and a 28 NET ranking. The Rams are 21st in offensive efficiency but just 138th in defensive efficiency.

Michigan vs Colorado State Prediction

It’s been a wild season for the Wolverines. They haven’t won more than three games in a row all season long. Coach Juwan Howard was suspended for five games for his part in a post-game altercation with Wisconsin. He returned to the bench for the Big Ten Tournament.

The Wolverines played one of the top-10 toughest schedules in the nation. Michigan is 4-5 straight up this season against ranked teams. If you compare the March Madness bracket to the Michigan schedule, the Wolverines were  8-10 SU against teams in the NCAA Tournament.

Hello old friend

〽️🏀 | #GoBlue #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ZKd61dDpw9

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) March 16, 2022

Colorado State must come into the heart of the midwest to face Michigan. Indianapolis is within driving distance of Ann Arbor and Michigan’s fanbase always travels well. This will feel like a home game for the Wolverines.

The Rams need to slow the pace of the game and limit possessions to succeed. If Michigan gets on an early roll gains momentum and gets the crowd rocking, it could turn into a blowout. The Michigan sports-betting crowd can back their Wolverines with confidence.

Pick: Michigan Wolverines -2 (-110)

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Regional Previews

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General

• SBD’s Expert Brackets and March Madness Picks 2022
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• Printable 2022 March Madness Bracket – Make Your Picks for the NCAA Tournament