A candidate for Mountain West Player of the Year will try to bounce back after a disappointing performance, and Colorado State will do its best to stay in the conference title race as San Diego State invades Moby Arena tonight.
Colorado State’s Nique Clifford has been filling stat sheets at an eye-popping pace this season. He ranks No. 4 in the Mountain West with 17.3 points a game and No. 2 with 9.6 rebounds a night, but he struggled in the Rams’ 87-65 loss to New Mexico on Wednesday.
Clifford managed just nine points against the Lobos, though he did have 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, New Mexico’s player of the year contender, point guard Donovan Dent, put up a game-high 19 points.
Colorado State (14-8, 8-3 MWC) needs a win over San Diego State to stay within striking distance of the Mountain West’s leaders: New Mexico (19-4, 11-1) and Utah State (21-3, 11-2).
San Diego State (15-5, 8-3) has had its fair share of struggles this season, especially on the offensive end, but the Aztecs aren’t out of the race for the regular-season conference title, either. The winner of tonight’s game at Moby Arena will be alone in third place in the Mountain West.
The Aztecs have struggled to score this season. They’re averaging 71.6 points a game, which ranks No. 8 in the 11-team Mountain West. San Diego State does have the conference’s top defense, though. It’s giving up just 62.9 points a game, which ranks No. 13 in the country.
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San Diego State at Colorado State Odds
Colorado State is a 2.5-point college basketball betting odds favorite on BetMGM, and the Over/Under is 134.5 points.
The Moneyline is at -135 for Colorado State and at +110 for San Diego State.
San Diego State at Colorado State on TV
The Mountain West game featuring San Diego State and Colorado State will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
San Diego State at Colorado State Prediction
I predict Colorado State wins, 67-62.
It’s desperation time for the Rams and Aztecs. They both need a win to keep New Mexico and Utah State from running away with the Mountain West title and strengthen their NCAA Tournament resumes.
San Diego State sits at No. 50 in the NET rankings, thanks in large part to four Quad 1 wins. Ending the regular season on a high note could cement the Aztecs another NCAA Tournament berth.
Colorado State is at No. 82 in the NET rankings. A win over the Aztecs would have them climbing in those rankings.
The Rams just have more firepower than San Diego State this year, especially when point guard Kyan Evans is on the floor pushing the pace and creating opportunities for his teammates. He put up 15 points against New Mexico. I expect Clifford to put up another double-double tonight, and for Colorado State to find a way to win a close game.
