What are Colorado State March Madness odds? The team was selected as one of the last 8 to get a special ticket to the March Madness tournament and they defeated the Virginia Cavaliers in the final four.
Their next game is against Texas Longhorns. Bet on the Colorado Rams below. The latest odds for the upcoming game against Texas Longhorns indicate a close matchup, so be sure to check for the most current updates.
Let’s take a deeper look into the Rams’ season so far and how they may fare when it comes to landing a spot in The Big Dance.
You can find the best Colorado sportsbook promos here to bet on the Rams.
Colorado State NCAA Tournament March Madness Odds
Heading into the first round, the Rams are +15000 to win the National Championship, according to ClutchBuzz sportsbook. The excitement and stakes of college basketball are high during the NCAA tournament. This puts them in “distant longshot” territory. Progressing through the early rounds, such as the first two rounds, is crucial for any team aiming to advance in the competition.
The Rams are a solid team despite being in an outlier conference like the Mountain West. Nonetheless, they are not one of the favorites to win the tournament and facing a favorite like no. 7 seed Texas Longhorns in the first round will be a tough challenge.
Colorado State guard Isaiah Stevens (4) greets forward Joel Scott after a basket during the second half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against Loyola Marymount on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Colorado State: First Four Result
𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗻!!!#TeamTogether pic.twitter.com/WMzqQaR9QJ
— Colorado State Men’s Basketball (@CSUMBasketball) March 20, 2024
Best Wins In Regular Season
Without a doubt, the best win of the season came back on November 23. The Rams beat #17 Creighton impressively, 69-48. Isaiah Stevens led the way with 20 points in what was easily the statement win of the season.
That said, the Rams do have a few other impressive wins. They beat San Diego State 79-71 at home, the Aztecs then ranked 5th according to RPI. They have also beaten New Mexico 75-68 (15th in RPI), Boise State 75-62 (35th in RPI), Colorado 88-83 (48th in RPI), and UNLV 78-75 (74th in RPI).
Though each of those wins came at home, there is no denying that the Rams have beaten some solid teams that will either definitely or more than likely make the tournament.
Hang it in the Louvre 🖼️ #Stalwart x #TeamTogether pic.twitter.com/81m9KCnVmG
— Colorado State Men’s Basketball (@CSUMBasketball) February 14, 2024
Path to the Second Round
The Colorado State Rams have made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a thrilling 78-70 win over the No. 5 seed Memphis Tigers in the first round. This victory marked the Rams’ 11th consecutive win, dating back to the regular season. Colorado State’s impressive performance in the first round has set them up for a challenging matchup against the No. 4 seed Maryland Terrapins in the second round.
Potential Second-Round Matchup: Colorado State vs. Ole Miss
If Colorado State advances to the next round, they could potentially face the No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels. Ole Miss has had a strong season, with a 22-11 record and a 10-8 mark in SEC play. The Rebels have a talented roster, led by senior guard Matthew Murrell, who averages 15.5 points per game. A matchup between Colorado State and Ole Miss would be an exciting clash of styles, with the Rams’ high-powered offense facing off against the Rebels’ stingy defense.
Betting Trends and Stats for Colorado State
Colorado State has been a popular pick among bettors in the NCAA Tournament, with the Rams covering the spread in 10 of their last 11 games. The Rams have also been a strong over team, with the total going over in 7 of their last 10 games. Colorado State’s offense has been on fire, averaging 82.5 points per game over their last 5 contests. The Rams’ defense has also been solid, holding opponents to just 67.2 points per game.
Colorado State’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Colorado State’s strengths include their high-powered offense, which is led by senior guard Nique Clifford. Clifford averages 18.9 points per game and has scored at least 20 points in 4 of his last 5 games. The Rams also have a strong rebounding presence, with Clifford and senior forward Jalen Lake combining to average 12.4 rebounds per game. Colorado State’s weaknesses include their defense, which has struggled at times this season. The Rams have allowed opponents to shoot 44.5% from the field, which is 234th in the country. Additionally, Colorado State has struggled with turnovers, averaging 13.4 per game, which is 244th in the country.
Projecting Colorado State’s Final Chances At March Madness 2024
There is obviously one path that can guarantee a trip to The Big Dance for the Rams and that is by winning the Mountain West Conference Tournament. Granted, the last and only time they won came all the way back in 2003, but this is a better team than Colorado State has had recently.
It will be tough sledding given that San Diego State and Utah State have combined to win every tournament (save 2022, when Boise State won) since 2018. The last appearance in the conference final came back in 2017, though it was a losing effort to Nevada.
All of that said, the future looks bright regarding the Rams’ NCAA Tournament chances. They are currently projected by NCAA.com to be a nine-seed in the West Region. That would put them alongside teams like Ole Miss and Indiana State in terms of seeding. Texas Tech’s strong performance metrics in the Big 12 play and their competitive landscape further highlight the intensity of the tournament. It would also land them alongside Utah State, San Diego State, New Mexico, and Boise State as the five Mountain West teams according to Andy Katz’s predictions. Potential matchups with notable teams like Michigan State, known for their historical success under coach Tom Izzo during March Madness, add to the excitement.
Learn how to bet on March Madness in Colorado here.
NYOOOOOM 🚗💨#Stalwart x #TeamTogether pic.twitter.com/XAeu4DRN8W
— Colorado State Men’s Basketball (@CSUMBasketball) February 14, 2024
Optimistic Outlook for Rams’ NCAA Tournament Hopes
Given the team’s disappointing finish of a year ago, it would be a huge step forward to make the NCAA Tournament. Even better, it looks as though the Rams will do so handily, landing somewhere around an eight or nine-seed in the West Region.
Though a lot of things can happen between now and Selection Sunday, the Rams have put themselves on a promising path forward. Fans should check the times Eastern for upcoming games to stay updated. The goal should be to finish the season strong and stay near the top of the Mountain West standings if they are to secure a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Their matchup against Grand Canyon University will be significant in this journey. For now, the path looks promising for their second tournament appearance since 2013, both of which have come in the last three years.
