The Colorado State Rams (15-13), the Mountain West’s top scoring team, will be in action against the Nevada Wolf Pack (17-10) at Lawlor Events Center. Action begins at 5:00 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 28 and will air on RT.
The Wolf Pack come into this game hoping to repeat their last performance, beating Utah State 73-68 on Wednesday. Tyron Criswell fueled the Wolf Pack, recording 23 points and 16 rebounds to notch his fifth double-double of the season. The Rams, meanwhile, are coming off an 86-69 win over New Mexico on Tuesday. Emmanuel Omogbo had a good performance and claimed his sixth double-double of the season, posting 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Cameron Oliver has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the Wolf Pack. During that stretch, he has averaged 13.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steal, 2.6 blocks, and 0.8 three-pointers.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Rams won the first game 76-67. John Gillon was a standout player in the game, producing 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two three-pointers.
The Wolf Pack are looking to build on their records of 17-10 Straight Up (SU) and 13-12 Against The Spread (ATS). The Wolf Pack are one of the best in Division I in terms of free throws made, making an impressive 18.0 per game. Nevada’s defense can be considered one of the best in the country. The Wolf Pack allow a .391 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the country. Teams usually don’t get many offensive rebounds against the Wolf Pack, who are one of the top defensive rebounding teams in the country with an average of 28.6 per game.
As for their opponent, Colorado State has a SU record of 15-13 and an ATS record of 10-14. Colorado State performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning an 8-2 record. They sport the 30th-ranked scoring offense in the country, averaging 79.9 points per game. The Rams get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, ranking 38th in the nation with 496 made (17.0 per game). The Rams are a force on the offensive glass, grabbing an average of 12.9 offensive rebounds per game. The Rams average 77.6 points allowed per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 69.8 points per game during that span. One advantage for the Rams could be Nevada’s high fouls per game average of 21.9.
In their previous meeting this season, Colorado State beat Nevada, moving its SU record against Nevada to 5-3 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. At 4-4, they are even ATS. Colorado State held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once, while Nevada was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Nevada, ATS Winner – Nevada
Notes
Nevada averages 76.1 points per game (ranked 97th). Colorado State, on the other hand, allows 77.6 points per game (ranked 230th).
Colorado State scores 73.4 points per away game (ranked 79th). Nevada ranks a poor 134th in points allowed at home, allowing 68.6 points.
Nevada averages 73.1 possessions per game, scoring 1.040 points on each possession. While Colorado State averages fewer possessions per game with 70.6, they score more points per possession with 1.132.
Nevada has an average effective field goal percentage of 46.7%. Colorado State is an even 11-11 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
The Nevada Wolf Pack average 17.0 three point attempts per game, while the Colorado State Rams attempt 26.0. When attempting 20 or more three pointers in a game, Nevada is 4-6, while Colorado State has a split 12-12 record.
Nevada, the 11th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 41.5 rebounds per game. Colorado State ranks 38th with 39.9.
The Colorado State Rams rank 39th in offensive rebounds, and the Nevada Wolf Pack rank 19th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
Nevada has forced an average turnover percentage of 18.3% this season. Colorado State has a subpar 2-6 record when its TO% is 18.3% or higher.
