Colorado State vs Colorado Basketball Prediction & Picks: Will Simpson lead the Buffs past the rival Rams?

It’s been a feast or famine season thus far for Colorado, who has two wins over ranked teams but already has five losses through nine games. Which will it be tonight for the Buffaloes as they face Colorado State for the first time since 2019?

The Buffs have wins over Tennessee and Texas A&M, but they are 4-5 and have started Pac-12 play with back-to-back losses.

So, tonight is a pivotal game for the Buffaloes, who are starting a four-game homestand–all non-conference games–with tonight’s matchup.

It’s also a pivotal game for the Rams, who are coming off of a surprising loss to Northern Colorado.

Who will take the win tonight in Boulder? Keep reading for our Colorado State vs Colorado prediction, along with our recommended picks for how you should bet on the matchup.

Colorado State Rams vs Colorado Buffaloes Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Colorado State Rams (6-3) vs Colorado Buffaloes (4-5)
• Venue & Location: CU Events Center (Boulder, Colorado)
• Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022
• Game Time: 9:00 pm ET (7:00 pm local time)
• How to Watch Colorado State vs Colorado: ESPN2

Colorado State vs Colorado Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 7:00 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended sports betting sites.

Spread

• Colorado State +4.5 (-114)
• Colorado -4.5 (-106)

Over/Under

• Over 143.5 (-108)
• Under 143.5 (-112)

Moneyline

• Colorado State +152
• Colorado -184

Buffaloes Need Simpson to Deliver

In Colorado’s wins over Tennessee and Texas A&M, sophomore guard KJ Simpson came up big, posting 23 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists against the Volunteers and 30 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and six steals against the Aggies.

But in Colorado’s other seven games, Simpson has scored no more than 16 points. In the last four games, three of which the Buffaloes have lost, his high is 14 points.

Given what he is capable of when he is on, he really needs to step up and have a big game tonight.

Colorado State vs Colorado Prediction and Picks

Colorado State vs Colorado Prediction: Colorado State to win

Colorado State vs Colorado Picks: Colorado State to cover (Best Value: +4.5 @ -110 at BetUS & BetMGM) & Colorado State team total over (Best Value: over 69.5 @ -110 at Bovada Sportsbook)

After scoring 103 points against Texas A&M, the Buffaloes haven’t score more than 65 points in the four games since.

Will those scoring struggles end tonight against the Rams? They may, but I actually like Colorado State to get the win in Boulder.

Yes, they had a very forgettable game against Northern Colorado last Saturday, as the Bears shot 57.1 percent from the field and were 9 of 21 from three in their 88-83 win.

But CSU shot 51.7 percent from the field and made 11 threes on 50 percent shooting in the loss, and Isaiah Stevens, their top returning scorer, had 20 points in his second game back after missing the first seven games due to a foot injury.

With Stevens back in action, this is a much more dangerous team than the one that didn’t do a lot offensively in losses to College of Charleston and Penn State. I think the visitors will at least cover here, and I love the value for them to come away with the win.

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