Michigan vs. Colorado St. Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
Despite emerging as the higher seed, the Rams make their first March Madness appearance since 2013 pegged as 2.5-point underdogs. Backed by 65% of sports bettors, the Wolverines sit perched as -144 moneyline favourites. The total has dipped to 139.5 since opening at 140, even with 90% of the betting action supporting the OVER.
Michigan vs. Colorado St. NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Thursday afternoon’s matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is set for 12:15pm ET, and marks just the third all-time meeting between these squads. Home teams have prevailed in their two previous dates, capped by Colorado State’s 70-66 victory in February 2002.
The Wolverines have posted consecutive straight up wins just once during a 7-7 run. They have also been a betting disappointment, going 8-12 against the spread over their past 20, and covering just three times in their past 11 as betting chalk. Michigan has averaged a respectable 73.0 points per game, and sits at No. 19 in adjusted offensive efficiency at Kenpom. However, they shot just 37.9% from the field while bowing out of the Big Ten Tournament with a second round loss to Indiana, and a meagre 43.5% over their past two contests.
The Rams return to the Big Dance despite getting bounced from the Mountain West Tournament with a 63-58 semi-final loss to San Diego State. That marked just their second defeat in 11 outings, and their first loss on neutral court so far this season. The CSU defence has shone while limiting opponents to 58.4 points per game during a 4-1 run, fueling a steady 6-1-0 run for the UNDER. The Rams attack has also impressed while climbing to No. 20 in adjusted offensive efficiency. However, this team has covered just once in their past six, and has won outright in just one of their past four Round of 64 appearances.
Michigan Wolverines (11)
The Wolverines will be vying for their 10th victory in their past 11 Round of 64 appearances at the NCAA Tournament, and their first opening round win as a lower seed since 2009. Michigan enjoyed an impressive run to the Elite Eight a year ago, and has claimed victory by double-digit margins in each of their past three First Round wins. Sophomore big man Hunter Dickinson leads the team in points, rebounds, and blocks this season. Dickinson also averaged a respectable 16.3 points per game as a March Madness debutant a year ago.
Colorado St. Rams (6)
The Rams have some work to do to overcome their recent tendency towards slow starts after averaging just 27.5 points before recess in their past two outings. However, their top two scorers continued to impress in last weekend’s loss to the Aztecs. David Roddy and Isaiah Stevens combined to score 43 of the team’s 58 points, and the Rams have racked up a steady 12-2 record when Roddy has drained at least 20. The question is whether the rest of lineup can step up against an experienced Wolverines lineup.
