Colorado State vs. UNLV College Basketball Odds, Picks, Predictions: Rams to Continue Rolling? (Saturday, February 19)
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images. Pictured: David Roddy (Colorado State)
- Colorado State looks to get revenge on UNLV after being beaten in the first matchup at home.
- In that game, Bryce Hamilton dropped 45 points.
- Kyle Remillard breaks down the Mountain West duel and offers up his top selection.
Colorado State vs. UNLV Odds
| Colorado State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -114 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | -156 |
| UNLV Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -106 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | +130 |
Colorado State sits in a tight three-way race for the Mountain West regular season championship after winning five games in a row.
The Rams had high hopes in the preseason and have lived up to the hype, losing just three games all season. One of those losses came at the hands of UNLV just three weeks ago.
Bryce Hamilton was virtually unstoppable in that game, exploding for 45 points while shooting 13-of-22 from the field.
That was one of only two victories that UNLV has found over KenPom top-100 programs.
Colorado State will need to limit Hamilton in the rematch if it wants to avoid the season sweep.
Colorado State Rams
Niko Medved’s squad is poised to break into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in his tenure — barring any late-season collapse. The group just narrowly missed out on the tournament last season, and returned an experienced roster that has proven to be hungry.
The offense ranks 16th in efficiency rating this season while averaging 77 points per contest. The offense is led by a dynamic duo of unorthodox big man David Roddy and guard Isaiah Stevens.
Roddy has taken the national spotlight, and has caught the attention of NBA scouts. He’s been on a mission recently, averaging 24 points over the last six games. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound center is grabbing eight rebounds while shooting 59% from the field.
He’s complimented by Stevens, who is averaging 15 points a game. Stevens also averages five assists per game, which ranks third in the Mountain West.
He dominated the first matchup against UNLV that was overshadowed by Hamilton’s 45-point night. Stevens scored 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting while grabbing eight rebounds.
UNLV Runnin' Rebels
UNLV is slotted in at fifth in the Mountain West standings thanks to a victory over Fresno State last time out. The Rebels have a tough road ahead in order to move up to a top-4 seed, but behind them, a group of three teams are also on their tail.
UNLV’s offense is centralized around Hamilton, who averages over 20 points per game. He’s a pure three-level scorer that has exceeded 30 points in six games this season. Hamilton is a high-volume shooter who averages 17 shot attempts per game while hitting at a 44% clip.
He was unconscious the last time he faced off against Colorado State, hitting 8-of-14 from 3.
Shot-making clinic from UNLV's Bryce Hamilton, going 7/13 for 3 en route to 42 points (12/21 FG) in a huge road win over Colorado State. Also had 7 rebounds, 5 assists. The 21-year old senior is averaging 22 points per game. pic.twitter.com/wjg60hfbkH
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 29, 2022
UNLV has stepped up its game defensively down the stretch. The group held Air Force, Fresno State and Nevada to below 35% shooting.
On the season, its defensive metrics have been mediocre, but if there is a flaw, it comes in defending the paint. The Rebels allow opponents to hit 50% of their shots that come inside the perimeter.
That spells trouble for this matchup, as Colorado State ranks seventh in the nation, hitting 57% of its 2-point field goals.
Colorado State vs. UNLV Betting Pick
This won’t be a walk in the park for Colorado State, as it will be its third road game in a row. The Rams escaped Boise State with an overtime victory, and exploded in the second half to wipe away a halftime deficit against New Mexico last time out.
But the Rams will be fired up to get revenge over one of the three programs that bested them earlier in the season.
This group will be focused on slowing down Hamilton, who embarrassed the program in the first matchup. Hamilton is the heartbeat of the UNLV offense, and if he struggles, so does the offense as a whole.
UNLV is a product of its schedule this season. It has beaten up on bad teams, and has struggled when the competition stiffens. UNLV has a 13-1 record against teams that rank outside the KenPom top 100. But when it steps up in class, the group is just 2-10 against teams in the top 100.
The Colorado State Rams will continue rolling and keep their hopes of a Mountain West regular season title alive in Las Vegas.
Pick: Colorado State -3 (Play to -4)
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