#9 San Diego State Likely Sportsbook Betting Favorite in Matchup vs. Colorado State

The #9 San Diego State Aztecs are going to be a big favorite over the Colorado State Rams in the sportsbook betting site on Saturday, March 5.

The Aztecs bounced back from their 67 to 80 loss to BYU to demolish Wyoming on the road.  But the Aztecs had trouble against the Rams the last time the two teams faced each other.  Will San Diego State reclaim the top spot in the Mountain West Conference now that BYU has lost to New Mexico?

Colorado State Rams (19-10) at #6 San Diego State Aztecs (28-2)

Where:  Viejas Arena, San Diego, California
When:  March 5, 2011 at 10:00 pm EST
TV:  TBD

Likely NCAAB Betting Lines

Colorado State Rams               +11 ½ -110     O 138 -110
San Diego State Aztecs            -11 ½ -110      U 138 -110

Check out some trends for this game.

• The Colorado State Rams are 4 and 2 ATS in their last 6 games.
• The Colorado State Rams are 8 and 3 ATS in their away games this season.
• The San Diego State Aztecs are 7 and 6 ATS at home this season.
• The San Diego State Aztecs are 5 and 5 ATS in their last 10 games overall.

San Diego State had a chance to get close to a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament but the loss to BYU ended that discussion.  The Aztecs are still going to be a huge sportsbook betting favorite against Colorado State on Saturday.

SDSU was brilliant versus Wyoming, when thumping the Cowboys 85 to 58.  The Aztecs shot 52.5% from the field and grabbed 40 boards to Wyoming’s 25.  San Diego State didn’t play that way the first time they took on Colorado State, however.  As 5 ½ point road favorites, the Aztecs could muster only 58 points in a 58 to 56 victory.  SDSU shot only 40% from the field that day when making 22 of 55 shots.  Luckily for the Aztecs, their D held the Rams to 36.5% shooting.

Is SDSU destined to repeat the game they played against the Rams the first time this season on Saturday?  I don’t believe that they are.  As well as Colorado played that day defensively, San Diego State still missed a ton of open looks.  The way that the Aztecs handled Wyoming was incredibly impressive.  They obliterated the sportsbook betting spread of 11 ½ points.  San Diego State figures to come out with a ton of enthusiasm on March 5.

But that doesn’t mean that the Aztecs are a lock to cover the spread versus the Rams.  Colorado State wasn’t just good against SDSU this season.  The Rams beat New Mexico straight up 68 to 62 on Feb.12.  They stood with BYU and lost to the Cougars by only 8 points, 76 to 84 on Feb. 23.  The Rams average 72.8 points per game off of a terrific 47.7% from the field.

If the Aztecs are sportsbook betting faves of double-digits or more on Saturday, then I’m going to have to take the points and side with the Colorado State Rams. San Diego State is the better team, but Colorado State has played in some tough games this season. The Rams are a decent squad and they’ve found a way to come up big against big teams in the MWC.

Part of me hopes that San Diego State does enough to garner the attention of the NCAA Selection Committee.  The Aztecs probably deserve a Top 3 seed at least, but in this game on Saturday, Colorado State is the play.

I’ll back Colorado State receiving double-digit odds or more in this game. 
      
NCAA Odds Betting Pick:  Colorado State Rams ATS