Colorado State (10) vs. Virginia (10) First Four Prediction: March Madness Odds
In addition to forcing them to play their first ever First Four game, Saturday’s defeat leaves the Cavaliers with just four wins in nine games and just three victories against the spread over that stretch. The Rams are also coming off an early conference tourney exit, falling 74-61 to New Mexico in the Mountain West Championship semi-final, ending a four-game SU win streak and dumping them to 1-6 ATS in their past seven contests.
Despite their recent struggles at the sportsbook, the Rams lead the way as 2.5-point favourites on the First Four odds. The Cavaliers are listed as +125 underdogs on the March Madness moneyline and the total is pegged at 120.5.
Colorado State vs. Virginia NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Tuesday night’s First Four matchup at University of Dayton Arena marks the first ever meeting between these schools. The Cavaliers top Colorado State in experience at the Big Dance, making appearances in nine of the past 10 editions of the NCAA Tournament and claiming the national championship in 2019. However, Virginia has bowed out in the First Round in each of their past two appearance since, with both those losses coming as betting chalk. The Rams are making their second NCAA Tournament in three years. The squad has lost six of their past seven March Madness contests, with five of those defeats coming by double-digit margins.
Colorado State Rams (10)
The Rams averaged a respectable 77.3 points per game during their recent 4-0 run, but fell flat in last weekend’s loss, spotting New Mexico a double-digit lead in the first five minutes, and have lost seven of nine this season when scoring fewer than 70 points. Senior Isaiah Stevens led the squad with 16.5 points per game this season, but has emerged as the team’s top scorer in just one of the past five games. Senior Nique Clifford has averaged a team-high 7.5 rebounds and has recorded double-doubles in two of his past five outings.
Virginia Cavaliers (10)
Despite struggling to string together wins, the Cavaliers have proven effective at containing opposing shooters, allowing 60 or fewer points in five of their past eight games. Up front, senior Reece Beekman has performed as the team’s top scorer while recording double-doubles in the past two games and averaging 17 points per game over his past five contests. Beekman was also one of the few bright lights for the Cavs in last year’s 68-67 First Round loss to Furman, dropping 14 points, five boards, and five assists. He also suffered the heartbreak of missing a buzzer-beating three that sealed the Cavaliers’ fate, which should give him plenty of motivation on Tuesday night.
