Colorado State vs. Boise State: Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction
Boise State looks to stay near the top, while the Rams look for something positive.
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Who controls this budding rivalry?
WHO: Colorado State Rams (10-11, 2-6 MW) vs. Boise State Broncos (16-5, 6-2 MW)
WHEN: Saturday, January 28th — 6:00 p.m. MST / 5:00 p.m. PST
WHERE: ExtraMile Arena; Boise, ID (12,480)
TV: CBS Sports Network
STREAMING: Fans can sign up to receive a free one-week trial of Fubo, which includes CBS Sports Network, by following this link.
SERIES RECORD: This will be the 30th all time matchup between the two schools. Boise State leads the series 15-14 all time.
LAST MEETING: Colorado State won 71-68 last season in the most previous meeting between these schools.
ODDS: Boise State -8
One team is looking to maintain pace in the Mountain West Championship race. And the other is looking for something positive to go their way. Both Boise State and Colorado State are similar teams, yet different in their own ways. Now it’s just a matter of who is going to show up.
Boise State boasts a top 30 defense, holding opponents to 39.7% from the field. Colorado State has a top 15 offense, shooting 49.1% from the field. This game is going to come down to the little things on the court and which team can make fewer mistakes.
Found a way.
Now let’s run it back on Saturday 😤#BleedBlue | #UnbreakableCulture⛓️ pic.twitter.com/NMpvjrHrrC
— Boise State MBB (@BroncoSportsMBB) January 27, 2023
Players to Watch
G Chibuzo Agbo – Boise State
Max Rice is the main threat from the outside for Boise State. However Chibuzo Agbo is just a little bit better. Both Rice and Agbo have made 44 of their three pointers, however Agbo has done it on three less attempts. Colorado State tends to give up outside shots and Agbo could be looking at a breakout game.
F Patrick Cartier – Colorado State
Isaiah Stevens is the big man on campus for the Rams. But Patrick Cartier is quietly putting together one of the most efficient seasons in CSU history. Cartier is 9th in the country in field goal percentage at 64.3%. And he’s only one of two players in the FG% top 20 to be attempting at least one three per game as well. Cartier needs to touch the ball if the Rams want to win.
How about @IsaiahStevens7 last week!
🏀 The program's career assists record holder!
🏀 Two double-doubles (16 pts, 11 ast vs SDSU, 15 pts, 10 rebs at UW)
🏀 Averaged 15.5 pts, 7.5 rebs and 9.0 ast#Stalwart x #TeamTogether pic.twitter.com/oK4L6nVRzt— Colorado State Men’s Basketball (@CSUMBasketball) January 24, 2023
Keys to the Game
Boise State
Boise State needs to use their length advantage early. Colorado State is one of the worst teams in the nation when it comes to rebounding. They give up a lot of offensive rebounds and have a tendency to stand around ball watching. If the Broncos can keep moving, there is a chance open lanes can come as the Rams tend to trail behind.
One other key for Boise State will be to drive on the Rams. The Rams only run nine scholarship players and sometimes get themselves into foul trouble. Going straight at the Rams causes problems for them as they have penchant for fouling when attacked.
Colorado State
The Rams will have a challenge facing the Broncos length today. But if they play their game and play inside-out basketball they have a chance to make it interesting. Isaiah Stevens will get his, everyone knows that. The other Ram players have a tendency to disappear at times, so now it’s up to them to step up and support Stevens.
Colorado State will also need to play tight defense on the periemeter. The Broncos can get hot from three and it could turn into a blowout if the Rams aren’t careful. Playing tight defense and keeping their hands clean will be imperative if CSU wants to have a chance to win.
Predictions
Boise State is too strong of team this year and Colorado State still hasn’t found their identity yet. The Rams will be able to keep it close, but the Broncos will pull away in the end thanks to their iso-drive abilities and the Rams tendency to foul.
Final Score: Boise State 82, Colorado State 73
