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Michigan vs Colorado State Odds and Picks

Robert Duff

By Robert Duff in College Basketball

Updated: October 27, 2022 at 3:38 am EDT

Published:


Michigan head coach Juwan Howard pointing
Michigan head coach Juwan Howard gestures in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
  • 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

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Michigan Wolverines -132 -2 (-110) O 137.5 (-108)
Colorado State Rams +112 +2 (-109) U 137.5 (-112)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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  4. Longwood vs Tennessee Picks and Odds (2:45 pm ET)
  5. Richmond vs Iowa Odds, Lines, and Spread (3:10 pm ET)
  6. Gonzaga vs Georgia State Odds (4:15 pm ET)
  7. Marquette vs UNC Picks and Odds (4:30 pm ET)
  8. New Mexico State vs UConn Odds, Lines, and Spread (6:50 pm ET)
  9. Saint Peter’s vs Kentucky Odds and Picks (7:10 pm ET)
  10. Indiana vs Saint Mary’s Picks and Odds (7:20 pm ET)
  11. Creighton vs San Diego State Odds, Lines, and Spread (7:27 pm ET)
  12. Vermont vs Arkansas Odds and Picks (9:20 pm ET)
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  14. Akron vs UCLA Odds, Lines, and Spread (9:50 pm ET)
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Regional Previews

  1. East Region Odds — Baylor Earns Top Seed, Kentucky Favored
  2. Midwest Region Odds See Kansas Favored Over Auburn, Iowa and Wisconsin
  3. South Region Odds: Arizona +110 Favorites, Tennessee & Houston Sleepers
  4. West Regional Odds: Gonzaga Odds-On Favorite to Reach Final Four

General

Robert Duff
Robert Duff

Sports Writer

An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.

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