Michigan vs Colorado State Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions

Colorado State is the underdog despite being seeded higher

· Mar 14 - 5 minutes read

Can Michigan Rediscover March Madness Magic?

When the season began, those making March Madness predictions would have projected Michigan as the higher seed in a postseason matchup with Colorado State. However, the Rams are seeded sixth and Michigan comes in as an 11 seed.

All you need to know about Michigan is that the Wolverines have alternated covering and not covering against the spread in 13 straight games, so the only consistent part of Michigan’s season has been its inconsistency.

Michigan vs Colorado State Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions — Justin Casterline/Getty Images/AFP

Colorado State isn’t the biggest team in the country and is one of the worst in the country when it comes to offensive rebounding. If the Rams can limit the inside damage from Michigan’s frontcourt, this could get interesting.

Colorado State has five more Quad 1 or Quad 2 wins than Michigan, which might surprise some people.

Michigan was one of the top picks in the odds to win the national title before the season but now the Wolverines are listed at +12500 while Colorado State comes in at +30000.

Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and March Madness Odds for Michigan vs Colorado State. We’ve plenty of predictions for you to consider.

Inconsistent Michigan Gets Chance to Salvage Season

Trying to figure out this Michigan team could be more challenging than filling out the March Madness bracket.

The Wolverines followed up a spirited upset effort against Purdue by struggling to beat a mediocre Penn State squad. Then, after crushing Purdue in the match, Michigan lost its next game to Ohio State.

After a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, there were lofty odds for this Michigan team, especially with highly touted freshmen Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate joining the fold. Like the talented freshmen, it has been a bumpy ride. The Wolverines weren’t guaranteed a spot in the field after falling to Indiana in the Big Ten tournament but just made the field as a No. 11 seed.

When Houstan and Diabate have it going offensively to offer assistance to top scorer Hunter Dickinson, this can be a scary Michigan team. However, other than a solid field goal mark, it would be hard to find something that this Michigan team does exceptionally well.

If the seeds were reversed, Colorado State would probably be getting some love as an upset pick.

Four of Michigan’s last five games went over the Las Vegas odds total.

Roddy, Colorado State Poised to Represent MWC

The nation could soon discover how good the caliber of basketball is in the Mountain West Conference.

The NCAA selection committee certainly didn’t underrate the mid-major conference by giving three MWC teams at-large berths in the March Madness bracket. That list included a Colorado State team that finished a game out of first place in the regular-season standings before falling to San Diego State in the MWC semifinals. The Rams had won six straight games decided by six points or less before falling 63-58 to the Aztecs.

It is hard to understand how Minnesota native David Roddy didn’t land at a Big Ten program, but the junior will get to show the conference what they missed out on. Roddy has scored in double figures in 14 straight games and scored more than 20 points eight times during that stretch.

Colorado State does many things in which successful tournament teams excel. The Rams turn the ball over just 9.9 times per game and rank in the top 15 nationally in field goal and free-throw percentage.

Colorado State didn’t play the most ambitious non-conference schedule but the Rams own wins against NCAA-bound Creighton and Saint Mary’s teams.

The Rams have covered against the college basketball spreads in just one of their last six games.

Michigan vs Colorado State Head-to-Head

The teams haven’t played in 20 years so there won’t be much previous matchup help for those who bet online.

Colorado State won the most recent contest between the teams in February, 2002 as a one-point underdog. Michigan won 87-80 in January 2000 as a 5½-point favorite.

Michigan won its most recent matchup against the No. 6 seed, topping Houston 64-63 as a 3½-point favorite in 2018, but is 0-3 against the spread against No. 6 seeds.

Michigan vs Colorado State Information

Game: Michigan (17-14) vs. Colorado State (25-5)
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Day/Time: Thursday, March 17, 12:15 p.m. ET
Live Stream: TBS.com

Michigan vs Colorado State Betting Lines

Michigan vs Colorado State Prediction

Neither of these teams will be setting any offensive records, so look for this to become a physical, possession-by-possession battle.

While Colorado State is the higher seed, the March Madness odds favor Michigan.

It can be debated whether Michigan deserves to be in the field of 68 but now that the Wolverines are in, let’s see if they live up to their tantalizing potential.

We. Are. Dancing!

〽️🏀 | #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/Q8KUnKdc4N

— Michigan Men’s Basketball (@umichbball) March 14, 2022

The 139½-point total seems about right and don’t be surprised to see the game finish under that number. Michigan has one of the most methodical pace of play numbers among teams in the NCAA Tournament and that could result in the game going under.