Colorado State Rams (25-10) vs. Texas Longhorns (20-12)
Colorado State Rams vs. Texas Longhorns 3/21/24 – As the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament heats up, a fascinating match-up is set to take place between the Colorado State Rams and the Texas Longhorns. With the Rams boasting a 25-10 record and the Longhorns not far behind at 20-12, this game is shaping up to be a critical juncture for both teams. Scheduled for Thursday this encounter promises to deliver high-octane basketball action. Fans and bettors alike are scouring multi-expert best picks to find an edge in what is expected to be a tightly contested battle.
Colorado State Rams come to the game with great offensive powers, currently scoring 76.1 points on 49% accuracy from the field. They adopt a well-disciplined method which includes making an average of 27,5 field goals out of 56,2 attempts per game. Much of their performance is 3-pointers, with them sinking 34.1% of their shots being one of their offensive tenets. Consequently, the Rams are very good in rebounding taking down 33.1 boards per game, and they have been able to distribute the ball with ease as shown by their 18.3 assists per game.
What the Texas Longhorns have on their side is their own set of strengths in which they score a little more than the Rams; that is a score of 76.5 points per match on their side. The Longhorns’ offensive success is down to their field goal percentage that is 47.4 % with a 3-point shot accuracy at 36.2 %. Texas exhibits a clear defensive vaccine wherein their steals (7.2 per game) and blocks (4.5 per game) surpass those of Colorado State, implying that their ability to disorganized Denver’s offensive structure is higher.
Colorado State Rams vs. Texas Longhorns 3/21/24 Game Info
| When: | Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 6:50 PM ET |
| Where: | Spectrum Center |
| TV: | TNT |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Isaiah Stevens (Guard) vs. Max Abmas (Guard)
Isaiah Stevens, a leader for the Rams this season, has been the engine that pulls the team forward. Stevens boasts amazing averages in points (16.2), assists (6.9), and shooting accuracy from the perimeter (44.8%), which make him a key player for the team this Friday night against the Lone Star State.< While this will be his biggest problem, he must be caution in keeping turnovers low in a game where possession matters.
Longhorns’ linchpin though is Max Abmas, who produces 17.1 points per game and is also very good at shooting, having a 91.6% free throws percentage. Abmas’ trustworthiness to score points and his ability to make big plays will be Texas’s assets, but his shooting from the long range in the game against Colorado State’s defense will decide the outcome.
When these two guards go against each other on the court, the game may win or lose based on how each does.Stevens’ playmaking vs. Abmas’ scoring render the scenario very interesting as he supposedly dictates the tempo of the game for both teams.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: Texas Longhorns -2.5, Total Odds: 144.5
The betting odds slightly favor the Texas Longhorns, reflecting their competitive edge in scoring and defense. However, the tight spread indicates that a close contest is expected.
Colorado State Rams Betting Trends
Being dominant in win-loss record, Colorado State has struggled to cover the spread. It missed in four out of the last five games. This seemingly cruel trend implies some level of unfairness which should be taken into account, especially with the Rams being underdogs.
Texas Longhorns Betting Trends
Texas has had quite the mixed bag in their last 5 where they have gone 3-2 both in their games and against the spread. Their ability to cover many games that are closely contested could give them an implied advantage in the betting markets.
Colorado State Rams vs. Texas Longhorns 3/21/24 Betting Picks
Considering the conclusions of the statistical analysis and betting trends, this match might be even. If Isaiah Stevens and Max Abmas can manage the battle, that would be the deciding factor, but the superior team play and defense of Texas will give them a little more advantage.
While this riveting game might be considered as a toss up, the Longhorns, mainly because of their defensive strength and higher average score, seem to have the edge in this battle. Nevertheless, the decision will be influenced by a pinch of the margin-making it a high-risk and thrilling pick. For those looking at March Madness picks today, the instinct to invest in Texas covering the spread seems to be a solid choice because this group has a well-balanced attack and strong stats for defense.
Free Pick and Prediction: Texas Longhorns 73, Colorado State Rams 69.