Colorado State sophomore Kyan Evans scored a career-high 23 points and knocked down six 3-pointers to lead the No. 12 seed Rams to a 78-70 win over No. 5 Memphis in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. It’s Colorado State’s first trip to the second round since 2013, and No. 4 seed Maryland awaits.
The Rams and Terrapins face off today at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
Maryland (26-8, 14-6 Big 10) cruised past Grand Canyon, 81-49, in the first round. The Terrapins average 81.6 points a game, which ranks No. 3 in the Big Ten, and they’re giving up just 66.5 points a game, which ranks No. 2 in the 18-team league. The Terps are No. 4 in the conference with 36.9 rebounds a game.
Maryland has won nine of its past 11 games. Its two losses in that stretch were against then-No. 8 Michigan State and Michigan in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
Colorado State (26-9, 16-4 MWC) has won 11 straight, including three wins in three days in the Mountain West Tournament, which culminated in a 69-56 win over Boise State in the title game.
Colorado State vs. Maryland Odds
Maryland is a 7.5-point college basketball betting odds favorite on BetMGM vs. Colorado State, and the Over/Under is at 142.5 points.
The Moneyline is at -325 for Maryland and +260 for Colorado State.
Colorado State vs. Maryland Channel
The second round NCAA Tournament game featuring Colorado State and Maryland will be televised on TBS.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Colorado State vs. Maryland Prediction
I predict Maryland wins, 72-68.
Colorado State star Nique Clifford had a slow night by his lofty standards against Memphis, scoring 14 points and eight rebounds. A team effort on the boards is what lifted the Rams to the second round. Four players on the team had at least five rebounds.
It’s hard to imagine a player as talented as Clifford having another off night, but the reality is his best game of the season may not be enough to get the Rams to the next round.
Maryland’s offense is just too explosive. The Terrapins play at a dizzying pace, and all five members of the starting lineup can light up the scoreboard. All five starters average at least 12 points a game, led by Derik Queen, who is putting up 16.2 points and 9.2 rebounds a game. Six-foot-9 senior Julian Reese is chipping in with 13.3 points and nine rebounds a night.
I think the Rams can keep it close, especially if they can get some help from the bench, but it’s going to take a Herculean effort to get past this Maryland squad.
