- Coming off a dominant First Four win over Virginia, Colorado State battles Texas in the round of 64
- Texas went just 3-9 straight-up against NCAA Tournament teams this year
- See the Colorado State vs Texas odds, predictions and player props for Thursday’s game in Charlotte, NC
The #10 Colorado State Rams (25-10, 6-1 neutral, 17-16 ATS) made a huge statement on Tuesday night with a 25-point win over Virginia in the First Four. Now the Rams move onto the first round proper where the #7 Texas Longhorns (20-12, 2-2 neutral, 12-20 ATS) await.
The Rams and Longhorns will clash at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC, at 6:55 pm ET on Thursday. The more-rested Longhorns are currently listed as 2.5-point betting favorites in the Colorado State vs Texas odds.
Colorado State vs Texas Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State Rams | +2.5 (-108) | +120 | Over 144 (-110) |
| Texas Longhorns | -2.5 (-112) | -142 | Under 144 (-110) |
On the moneyline, Texas is a -142 favorite to win and advance, while CSU is priced at +120 to reach the round of 32. The winner of Thursday’s game will face either #2 Tennessee or #15 Saint Peter’s in the second round of the March Madness bracket.
Odds as of March 20 at DraftKings. Bettors can claim March madness betting promos before wagering on the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
CSU’s Final Four odds improved from +15000 prior to the Virginia game to +4000 ahead of its matchup with Texas. The Longhorns are currently +1600 to win the Midwest Region.
Rams Dominate UVA in First Four
Colorado State didn’t leave much to the imagination on Tuesday night in Dayton. The Rams jumped out to a 10-4 lead and never looked back, cruising to a 67-42 win over offensively-challenged Virginia.
A quiet night from point guard and leading scorer Isaiah Stevens (16.2 PPG, 6.9 APG), who finished with just five points, six rebounds, and four assists, was inconsequential thanks to a season-high 23 from senior forward Joel Scott, who shot 9-of-13 from the field and also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Rams dominated the glass, grabbing 37 of 44 potential rebounds on defense (84.1%) and ensuring the ice-cold Wahoos didn’t get many second chances.
The win dominant win moved CSU up significantly in the KenPom ratings, from 38th to 30th, which is just three spots behind Texas.
Tuesday’s victory also improved Colorado State to 6-1 in neutral-court games, their only setback coming in the Mountain West Tournament semis to eventual-champion New Mexico (74-61).
Texas Holds Its Own in Stacked Big 12
With Marcus Carr, Timmy Allen, and Sir’Jabari Rice all departing from a Texas team that went 29-9 and earned a #2 seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament, a sizable step back was expected (and transpired) in Rodney Terry’s second season on the Longhorn bench.
The addition of transfer Max Abmas, the cult hero of the 2021 tournament when he led #15 Oral Roberts to upsets over #2 Ohio State and #7 Florida, mitigated the loss of UT’s three leading scorers, though. Abmas led the Longhorns in scoring at 17.1 PPG, while senior forward Dylan Disu upped his production from just 8.8 PPG last year to 15.8 PPG this season.
Texas had plenty of quality wins while going 9-9 in conference play: 74-73 at Cincinnati, 75-73 vs Baylor, and 81-69 at Texas Tech stand out. But the Longhorns only managed a 3-9 straight-up record against teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament. They also bowed out of the Big 12 Tournament in the first round to Kansas State (78-74) as six-point favorites.
Texas shoots the ball decently, connecting at 36.2% from three (47th) and 53.3% from two (63rd), and ranks 19th in offensive efficiency at KenPom, but they don’t defend all that well (62nd in defensive efficiency) and aren’t terribly proficient on the glass (120th in offensive-rebounding percentage and 221st in defensive-rebounding percentage).
Player Props for CSU vs TEX
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon Mitchell (TEX) | 8.5 (Ov -120 | Un -120) | 5.5 (Ov -135 | Un -105) | OFF | OFF |
| Dylan Disu (TEX) | 15.5 (Ov -130 | Un -110) | 6.5 (Ov -125 | Un -115) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov +115 | Un -155) |
| Isaiah Stevens (CSU) | 14.5 (Ov -135 | Un -105) | 2.5 (Ov -170 | Un +130) | 5.5 (Ov -145 | Un +105) | 1.5 (Ov +105 | Un -145) |
| Joel Scott (CSU) | 15.5 (Ov -100 | Un -140) | 6.5 (Ov -110 | Un -130) | OFF | OFF |
| Max Abmas (TEX) | 17.5 (Ov -120 | Un -120) | 2.5 (Ov -175 | Un +135) | 4.5 (Ov -105 | Un -135) | 2.5 (Ov -160 | Un +120) |
| Nique Clifford (CSU) | 11.5 (Ov -125 | Un -115) | 8.5 (Ov +105 | Un -145) | 3.5 (Ov -125 | Un -115) | 0.5 (Ov -240 | Un +175) |
| Patrick Cartier (CSU) | 9.5 (Ov -105 | Un -135) | 3.5 (Ov +145 | Un -190) | OFF | 0.5 (Ov -200 | Un +150) |
| Tyrese Hunter (TEX) | 9.5 (Ov -120 | Un -120) | 3.5 (Ov +130 | Un -170) | 3.5 (Ov -165 | Un +125) | 1.5 (Ov +150 | Un -200) |
College basketball player props from DraftKings on March 18, 2024.
Abmas has the highest point total at 17.5 on Thursday night while Scott leads the Rams players at 15.5, one ahead of leading scorer Stevens (14.5). CSU forward Nique Clifford, who averages 7.6 RPG, has the highest rebound total at 8.5, though the under is favored (+105o/-145u).
Colorado State vs Texas Prediction
As mentioned, with Texas losing its three leading scorers from last year, expectations were lowered. But this team still didn’t live up to its potential. They started the year 16th at KenPom and had faded to 27th by the end of the Big 12 Tournament.
CSU was in an excellent rhythm against Virginia and I expect that to rollover to the Texas game just 48 hours later. I’m also something of a Mountain West truther this season and have several MW teams advancing in my expert bracket (including New Mexico in the Elite Eight). I firmly believe the Mountain West was stronger than the Pac-12 and ACC this season, all things considered.
Look for Colorado State to become the latest team to advance from the First Four to the second round.
CSU vs TEX pick: Colorado State moneyline (+120)
The highly anticipated matchup between Colorado State and Texas on March 21 is sure to be a thrilling game for college basketball fans. Both teams have had successful seasons so far, with Colorado State boasting a 20-4 record and Texas sitting at 18-8. With so much on the line in this game, fans and bettors alike are eager to see how it will play out.
When it comes to expert picks and predictions for this game, many analysts are split on which team will come out on top. Colorado State has been playing exceptionally well recently, winning their last five games in a row. Their strong defense and efficient offense have been key factors in their success this season. On the other hand, Texas has also been playing well, with wins in four of their last five games. Their depth and athleticism make them a tough team to beat.
In terms of player props, there are several key players to keep an eye on in this game. For Colorado State, guard Isaiah Stevens has been a standout player this season, averaging 15.7 points and 5.5 assists per game. He will be a key player to watch in this matchup. For Texas, forward Jericho Sims has been a force in the paint, averaging 9.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. His presence down low will be crucial for the Longhorns in this game.
When it comes to betting odds, Colorado State is currently listed as a slight underdog, with odds of +3.5. Texas is favored to win, with odds of -3.5. The over/under for total points scored in the game is set at 138.5. Bettors will have to decide whether they think Colorado State can pull off the upset or if Texas will come out on top.
Overall, the March 21 matchup between Colorado State and Texas is shaping up to be an exciting game with plenty of betting opportunities. Fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching to see which team comes out on top in this crucial matchup.
