It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the Oregon Ducks (10-4, 0-1 Pac-12) welcome the Colorado Buffaloes (8-5, 0-1 Pac-12) to Matthew Knight Arena. The game starts at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 31, 2017, and will air on Pac-12 Network.
Oregon opened as an 11.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 145.5 points.
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Oregon Ducks ATS Prediction
The last time the Buffaloes played, they were blown out by the Oregon State Beavers, 76-57. Oregon State’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Colorado. The Beavers had a rate of 0.259 (below their season average of 0.332), while the Buffaloes posted a mark of 0.172 (below their season average of 0.270). Tyler Bey led Colorado in scoring with 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
The Ducks lost to the Utah Runnin’ Utes in their last matchup, 66-56. Utah’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Oregon. The Runnin’ Utes had a rate of 4.6 (better than their season average of 16.9), while the Ducks posted a mark of 17.8. Troy Brown put together a good game for Oregon, leading the team in scoring with 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
Oregon figures to have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Ducks currently rank 43rd in offensive efficiency, while the Buffaloes rank 181st in defensive efficiency.
Colorado has a respectable 8-5 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 5-8 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Buffaloes games, with 7 overs compared to 6 unders.
Oregon is 10-4 SU, but they have a difficult time covering the spread (5-8 ATS). Of the Ducks’ 12 games that accepted bets, 7 have finished over the O/U total.
Brown has averaged 11.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Oregon.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. The Ducks won the last contest 101-73. The Ducks had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (37.0 vs. 20.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.288 vs. 0.200).
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Oregon Ducks Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Oregon, ATS Winner – Oregon, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Colorado is 1-6 ATS with 4 overs and 3 unders.
At home, Oregon is 4-5 ATS with 5 overs and 3 unders.
Oregon ranks 15th in blocks per game (6.0) while Colorado ranks 125th (3.1).
The Ducks rank 51st in three pointers attempted per game (25.8) while the Buffaloes rank 149th in three pointers allowed per game (22.5).
Oregon ranks 37th in rebounds allowed per game (31.5) while Colorado ranks 101st (34.2).
The Ducks are 19th in the NCAA with 10.2 assists allowed per game while the Buffaloes are 57th with 11.8 assists allowed per game.
Oregon averages 6.0 steals per game, which ranks 131st in the nation. Colorado ranks 144th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Colorado is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Oregon is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Buffaloes have been outscored by an average of 10.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Colorado has defeated opponents by an average of 1.8 points.
During their last five games, the Ducks have scored an average of 77.8 points per game (5.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.2 points per game (1.7 above their season average).
