It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the Colorado Buffaloes (11-7, 3-3 Pac-12) welcome the Washington State Cougars (9-8, 1-4 Pac-12) to Coors Events Center. The game can be seen on Pac-12 Network at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 18, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 144 points with Colorado set as an 8-point favorite.
Washington State Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes ATS Prediction
In the Cougars’ last outing, they blew out the California Golden Bears, 78-53. Washington State was lights out from beyond the arc (15-28; 53.6 percent). California, on the other hand, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 42.2 (above their season average of 35.3). With 34 points on 11-for-17 shooting, Robert Franks was the game’s high scorer.
The Buffaloes defeated the UCLA Bruins in their last contest, 68-59. Colorado’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over UCLA. The Buffaloes had a rate of 0.255 (above their season average of 0.252), while the Bruins posted a mark of 0.129 (below their season average of 0.285). George King was the game’s leading scorer with 26 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
Getting to the line might be few and far between for Colorado in this contest. The Buffaloes currently rank 128th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.252, while Washington State ranks 26th in FTA rate allowed (0.177).
Washington State holds records of 9-8 straight up (SU) and 9-7 against the spread (ATS). Of the Cougars’ 16 games that accepted bets, 10 have finished under the total.
Colorado is 11-7 SU, but they are just 8-9-1 ATS. Vegas is highly precise when setting the total of Buffaloes games, with an even split between overs and unders.
After the Buffaloes won two out of three contests against the Cougars last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent matchup, Colorado won 73-63. The Buffaloes made 20 of their 26 free throws (76.9 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (36.4 vs. 24.2).
Washington State Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Colorado, ATS Winner – Washington State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Washington State is 4-4 ATS with 5 overs and 3 unders.
Colorado is 6-2 ATS at home with 5 overs and 3 unders.
Colorado averages 38.8 rebounds per game, which ranks 49th in the nation. Washington State ranks 207th in rebounds allowed per game (37.1).
The Cougars rank sixth in three pointers attempted per game (30.5) while the Buffaloes rank 160th in three pointers allowed per game (22.9).
Washington State ranks 46th in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while Colorado ranks 99th (3.7).
The Cougars rank 162nd in steals per game (5.3) while the Buffaloes rank 168th in steals allowed per game (7.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Washington State is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Colorado is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Cougars have been outscored by an average of 4.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Washington State has defeated opponents by an average of 1.4 points.
During their last five games, the Buffaloes have scored an average of 71.6 points per game (2.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.8 points per game (0.5 below their season average).
