Boise State vs. Colorado Odds, Opening Spread, Predictions for 2024 NCAA Tournament

Boise State vs. Colorado Odds

The 2024 NCAA Tournament field has been announced and Boise State will take on Colorado in the First Four game. Here's everything you need to know about Boise State vs. Colorado odds, spread and more.

Colorado opened as a 2-point favorite over Boise State in the first round off the NCAA Tournament, with the total set at over/under 140.5 points scored by both teams combined.

Find out how 10-seeded Boise State and 10-seeded Colorado matchup statistically ahead of their opening round matchup.

Statistical Matchup

Boise State vs. Colorado Analysis

Talk about just a tremendous lack of feel from the NCAA selection committee, placing Boise State in Dayton for the four despite ranking top-40 in the KenPom and NET rankings.

Either way, the Broncos face the Colorado Buffaloes, and the winner plays the Florida Gators.

Guard play is the name of the game in March, and Boise State lacks guards.

Leon Rice quickly pulled Roddie Anderson during the Mountain West Tournament quarterfinal against New Mexico, and there aren’t many other options. Anderson struggling in this game puts a ton of pressure on Max Rice to play the point guard position. He’s more of a shooter, so handling the ball isn’t ideal for him.

The Broncos typically punish teams on the glass, but Colorado is just as good on the glass. There’s no lean on either side there.

The biggest matchup advantage is shooting, as Colorado is among the best shooting teams in the tourney at 39% from 3, compared to Boise at 34%.

Buffs guard KJ Simpson had an awesome year, boasting improved efficiency of 47% shooting, 45% from 3 and 87% from the line. Simpson is one of the best guards in America and should carve up Boise’s defense with his explosiveness.

Additionally, Boise's interior offense is what makes it so dynamic. Tyson Degenhart and O’Mar Stanley are as good of a one-two punch as the tournament offers in the frontcourt.

If Boise’s two bigs can get Colorado big man Eddie Lampkin into foul trouble, it exploits Colorado’s biggest weakness: depth. If Colorado’s depth is exposed, Boise State could sneak out the win.

I’m banking on guard play winning out here, and Colorado’s guard play is flat-out better.

Pick: Colorado

–Sean Paul

For more coverage of the 2024 NCAA Tournament and Selection Sunday, make sure to check out our experts' live reactions to the bracket reveal and the Selection Sunday live show, where you can get their instant analysis on every matchup as well as some early insights to help you make your bets.