To finish out the regular season, the Colorado State Rams (15-14) will travel to Save Mart Center and take on the Fresno State Bulldogs (20-9). The game starts at 11:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Mar. 2 and can be seen on CCS.
The Bulldogs enter this game hoping for similar success after beating New Mexico 92-82 on Saturday. Marvelle Harris was a key piece, recording 32 points and 10 assists to notch his second double-double of the season. The Rams are coming off an 87-80 loss to Nevada on Sunday. Antwan Scott had a game-high 30 points.
Harris has taken his game to another level as of late for the Bulldogs, averaging 24.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.8 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 3.0 three-pointers over the last five games.
The Bulldogs could put on a ball-control clinic in this one. They’re ranked 25th in the nation at avoiding errors (TO% of only 15.9%). Additionally, Colorado State forces the 79th-fewest turnovers in the nation (15.2%). Also, the Rams commit the 35th-fewest errors in the nation (TO% of 16.2%), while the disruptive defense of the Bulldogs causes the 22nd-most (opponents’ TO% of 21.6%).
The Bulldogs enter the game with records of 20-9 Straight Up (SU) and 13-13 Against The Spread (ATS). The Fresno State defense has been struggling to keep points off the board during its most recent matchups. The Bulldogs have given up an average of 77.7 points to opponents in their last 10 games, well over their defense’s season average of 70.2 PPG. Fresno State’s defenders rank 18th in Division I in steals with 8.2 per game. Fresno State is very careful and attentive with the ball, averaging the 40th-fewest turnovers per game at only 11.1.
As for their opponent, the Rams have 15-14 SU and 10-15 ATS records. They sport the 28th-ranked scoring offense in the country, averaging 79.9 points per game. The Rams rely heavily on three-pointers on offense, ranking 23rd in the nation with 275 made (9.0 per game). The Rams average 77.9 points allowed per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 70.6 points per game during that span. One advantage for the Rams could be Fresno State’s high fouls per game average of 22.4.
This game marks the season’s first head-to-head clash between Fresno State and Colorado State. Their previous game was a Rams victory, moving their SU record against Fresno State to 8-2 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. Additionally, with a 5-4-1 record, Colorado State has the advantage ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Colorado State held the edge in all three of these categories twice in the last five meetings. Fresno State never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Fres, ATS Winner – Fres
Notes
Colorado State averages 79.9 points per game (ranked 28th). Fresno State, on the other hand, allows 70.2 points per game (ranked 115th).
The Colorado State Rams rank 53rd for their offensive rating of 112.3. The Fresno State Bulldogs have a defensive rating of 99.5 (ranked 70th).
The Fresno State Bulldogs average a field goal percentage of 42.9% this season. The Colorado State Rams are 11-13 when opponents have a FG% of 42.9% or greater.
The Fresno State Bulldogs rank higher based on their field goal percentage (233rd) than their effective field goal percentage (269th). The Colorado State Rams rank higher based on their effective field goal percentage (172nd) than their field goal percentage (247th).
Fresno State ranks 81st in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.22. Colorado State is ranked lower at 117th with an A/TO of 1.15.
Fresno State ranks 72nd in offensive rebounding. When it comes to defensive rebounds, Colorado State ranks 55th.
Fresno State records 8.2 steals per game (ranked 18th). Colorado State is 4-5 when giving up at least 8 steals.
