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The Michigan Wolverines are set to face the Colorado State Rams. Check out our March Madness odds series, which includes our Michigan Colorado State prediction, odds, and pick.
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The Michigan Wolverines were in big trouble late in the season, as March Madness odds experts know well. Coach Juwan Howard was suspended for several games due to hitting a Wisconsin Badger assistant coach. The Wolverines picked up double-digit losses and were failing to pounce on the high-value win opportunities which lay in front of them. This team needed to improve in the stretch run of the season. Time was running short for a team which was greeted by Final Four buzz before the college basketball season. Michigan came within one basket of the Final Four a year earlier. Failing to make the 2022 NCAA Tournament would have been a disaster.
Michigan responded to the challenge, albeit barely. The Wolverines' late-season wins over Michigan State and at Ohio State were enough to put the Wolverines in the field of 68. Those wins were enough to overcome a 17-point blown lead against Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan was a “first four out” team in some projected brackets heading into Selection Sunday. Richmond beating Davidson further increased the anxiety in Ann Arbor, but Michigan made it just inside the cut line, and actually received a break by not having to go to Dayton for the First Four. Indiana went instead. Now Michigan tries to justify its inclusion in the NCAA Tournament, something to keep in mind when making a Michigan Colorado State prediction.
The Colorado State Rams were solidly in the NCAA Tournament field after a strong regular season. Coach Niko Medved did a superb job leading this team to a No. 6 seed, one of the higher seeds this program has ever received in the NCAA Tournament. Colorado State finished second in the rugged and competitive Mountain West, beating San Diego State, Utah State, and Wyoming in the standings. Only Boise State finished ahead of the Rams, who can play inside and outside and are strong at the defensive end of the floor. The Rams know they have a lot to prove against a Big Ten opponent. That's part of the calculus in a Michigan Colorado State pick.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Michigan-Colorado State odds:
March Madness Odds: Michigan-Colorado State Odds
Michigan: -2.5 (-110)
Colorado State: +2.5 (-110)
Over: 139.5 (-110)
Under: 139.5 (-110)
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Why Michigan Could Cover the Spread
The Wolverines are elated to be in the NCAA Tournament, but they also know that if they don't win here, they will be bitterly disappointed. This is a statement game for Michigan. Also: The Mountain West is overrated. Look at how one Mountain West team, Wyoming, fared against another Big Ten team, Indiana, in the First Four on Tuesday.
Why Colorado State Could Cover the Spread
The Rams are five seed lines better than Michigan. David Roddy can hold up against Michigan big man Hunter Dickinson. Colorado State has better guards than Michigan.
Final Michigan-Colorado State Prediction & Pick
Michigan will certainly have a lot to prove, but Colorado State has the better and more consistent backcourt. The Rams should cover and will win outright, too.
Final Michigan Colorado State Pick: Colorado State +2.5
