The Colorado Buffaloes (20-9) will close out the regular season when they take on the Arizona State Sun Devils (14-14) at Coors Events Center. Action gets underway at 4:30 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 28 and can be seen on PAC.
The Buffaloes won a close one over Arizona 75-72 on Wednesday. Josh Scott was the game’s high scorer with 26 points on 10-for-18 shooting. The Sun Devils, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their ugly 81-46 loss to Utah on Thursday. Gerry Blakes had a good shooting night, leading the team with 10 points.
Over the last five games, Wesley Gordon has been playing at a high level for the Buffaloes. During that stretch, he has averaged 12.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.4 blocks.
The Buffaloes enter the game with records of 20-9 Straight Up (SU) and 15-11 Against The Spread (ATS). Colorado has averaged 69.9 points per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 76.5. The Buffaloes are a phenomenal shooting team from three-point range with a .392 three-point field goal percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I. Colorado has an edge in the rebounding department for this game, where it racks up an average of 42.4 rebounds per game. The Buffaloes will be looking to turn around their defense after struggling a bit recently. The Buffaloes have given up an average of 78.4 points to opponents in their last 10 games, well over their defense’s season average of 71.3 PPG. An area where the Buffaloes are particularly strong is shot blocking, where they average 5.0 blocks per game, 33rd in Division I.
In the other locker room, Arizona State has a SU record of 14-14 and an ATS record of 12-14-1.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time Colorado and Arizona State played, Colorado won, bringing the head-to-head record to an even 4-4 SU over their most recent meetings. They are also even ATS in their most recent games (4-4). Arizona State held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once in the last five matchups. On the other side of the court, Colorado never accomplished this feat in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – Colo, ATS Winner – Colo
Notes
Colorado averages 76.5 points per game (ranked 88th). Arizona State, on the other hand, allows 74.3 points per game (ranked 198th).
In its last game, Arizona State lost by a margin of 35 points. Colorado is 4-2 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Arizona State has a 3-2 record in blowouts.
The Colorado Buffaloes average 70.9 possessions and 1.079 points per possession in games this season. The Arizona State Sun Devils average fewer possessions with 70.3, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.051.
Arizona State has an average effective field goal percentage of 48.1%. Colorado is a winning 11-5 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Colorado Buffaloes attempt 19.0 three point field goals per game and the Arizona State Sun Devils attempt 23.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Colorado has a 7-5 record and Arizona State has a 12-11 record.
The Colorado Buffaloes are one of the top rebounding teams in the nation with an average of 42.4 per game (ranked third). The Arizona State Sun Devils are outside the top 100 with 37.2 rebounds per game (ranked 119th).
The Arizona State Sun Devils rank 60th in offensive rebounds, and the Colorado Buffaloes rank 12th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
Colorado averages a forced turnover rate of 15.5% this season. Arizona State has a 9-8 record when it suffers a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
