Mountain West foes will clash when the Colorado State Rams (15-15) play the Air Force Falcons (14-16) at Moby Arena. Action begins at 4:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5 and will air on RT.
The Rams are hoping to rebound after their 87-73 loss to Fresno State on Wednesday. Tiel Daniels had a good game, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds, and one block for Colorado State. The Falcons are coming off a 78-65 loss at the hands of Utah State on Tuesday. CJ Siples registered 13 points, five assists, and two rebounds.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Rams winning the first matchup 83-79. Antwan Scott had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 27 points, four rebounds, three assists, and six three-pointers.
The Rams enter the game with records of 15-15 Straight Up (SU) and 10-16 Against The Spread (ATS). The Rams have no trouble scoring as they rank 32nd in the nation in offense with 79.6 points per game. The Rams are an impressive three-point shooting team with 9.0 made per game, one of the highest marks in Division I. The Rams have a distinct advantage on the boards in this matchup. They are the 26th-ranked rebounding team in Division I, averaging 40.2 per game, while the Falcons rank 263rd in the nation with 34.6 per game. The Colorado State defense has been on fire lately, allowing an average of 70.4 points per game, well under their season average of 78.2.
As for their opponent, the Falcons head into the game with records of 12-12 ATS and 14-16 SU. The Falcons have shown improvement on the offensive end over the most recent 10 game stretch. Over that span, Air Force is averaging 76.0 PPG, significantly more than their season average of 67.1. The Air Force defense has allowed an average of 79.8 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 71.2.
In their previous meeting this season, Colorado State beat Air Force, bumping its SU record to 9-1 over Air Force in their most recent meetings. The Rams also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 7-3. Colorado State topped the Falcons in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) one time over the last five matchups. Air Force has never had the edge in all three categories.
Predictions: SU Winner – ColoSt, ATS Winner – ColoSt
Notes
Colorado State averages 79.6 points per game (ranked 32nd). Air Force, on the other hand, allows 71.2 points per game (ranked 132nd).
Ranked 57th, the Colorado State Rams have an offensive rating of 112.0. The Air Force Falcons rank 132nd with a defensive rating of just 103.6.
Colorado State has an average field goal percentage of 42.6%. Air Force is an underachieving 4-12 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Colorado State Rams rank lower for their field goal percentage (251st) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (170th), but the Air Force Falcons have a better FG% ranking (248th) than eFG% ranking (255th).
Colorado State, the 26th-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 40.2 rebounds per game. Air Force does worse, ranked 263rd with 34.6.
Air Force ranks 320th in offensive rebounds, while Colorado State ranks at 55th in defensive rebounds.
Colorado State has forced an average turnover rate of 15.1% this season. In games where its turnover rate is 15.1% or higher, Air Force is an even 12-12.
