One of the most anticipated series in the Mountain West Conference gets underway on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, when the Colorado State Rams (10-2, 7-1) visit the Utah State Aggies (11-3, 8-0). Utah State is currently tied with Boise State at the top of the MWC and Colorado State is one game back in third place. This game will air live on CBS Sports Network at 9:00 p.m. EST.
Through 12 games, Colorado State is shooting 47.1% from the field and are averaging 75.8 points per game. The Rams are also averaging 35.0 rebounds and 15.3 assists per game. David Roddy leads Colorado State with 15.8 points and 9.3 rebounds, while Isaiah Stevens is dishing out a team high 6.3 assists per game. Defensively, the Rams are allowing 63.8 points and average 2.5 blocks, and 5.7 steals per game. Colorado State is currently on a four-game winning streak.
After 14 games, Utah State is shooting 45.8% from the field and are averaging 75.3 points per game. Utah State also averages 41.5 rebounds and 15.8 assists per game. Center Neemias Queta leads Utah State with 12.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Defensively, the Aggies are allowing just 59.3 points and average 4.9 blocks and 7.2 steals per game. Utah State is on a 10-game winning streak.
Colorado State Rams at Utah State Aggies (-7.5): O/U 137.0 (-113/-108)
Last time out, Colorado State finished off a two-game road sweep with an 88-61 win against the San Jose St Spartans. Colorado State led most of the game and held a 33-point lead at one point, SJSU led by just one point earlier in the game. Adam Thistlewood and Isaiah Stevens led CSU with 16 points, Stevens dished out a team high five assists, and David Robby grabbed a team high 13 rebounds, 10 defensive and three offensive. The Rams shot 51.5% (35-68) from the field and 35.3% (12-34) from beyond the arc.
Utah State finished off a home sweep of San Diego State with a 64-59 win on Saturday night. This was a back and forth game that saw SDSU lead by as many as 10 points and USU leading by as much as eight points. Steven Ashworth, who came off the bench, led the Aggies with 17 points and Neemias Queta had a team high 10 rebounds and four assists. The Aggies shot just 37.3% (19-51) from the field and 31.8% (7-22) from the three-point line. Utah State’s saving grace was the free throw line when they shot 10 more than SDSU and made 12 more.
Series History: These two teams have met 93 times in the past and Utah State holds a 55-38 advantage. Utah State has won five consecutive meetings and have not lost to Colorado State since January 2018.
Game Prediction: I like Colorado State +7.5 to keep it close, but Utah State to get the win.
2020-2021 College Basketball Picks Record: 2-2
