Colorado State vs Utah State Basketball Prediction & Picks: Back the Aggies to Rebuff the Rams?

There will be a number of important games in the battle for the Mountain West title, which could be a four-horse race at minimum. One of those key games will take place tonight in Logan, Utah, as Utah State will host Isaiah Stevens and #13 Colorado State (9:00 pm ET).

The Rams (13-1, 1-0 Mountain West) and Aggies (13-1, 1-0 Mountain West) are off to fantastic starts this season, and that sets up what could be an epic encounter at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

The Rams opened conference play on Tuesday night with a hard-earned 76-68 home win over New Mexico, another potential Mountain West title contender. It was their fourth straight win since suffering their lone loss of the season, which came at home to Saint Mary’s on December 9.

The Aggies, meanwhile, kicked off their quest for a conference title with an 88-60 win at Air Force on Tuesday.

In their win in Colorado Springs, Utah State shot better from the field (63.3%) than the foul line (62.9%), and the Aggies were led by Great Osobor, who lived up to his first name with 32 points (11 of 14 FG, 10 of 16 FT), nine rebounds, and four assists.

Colorado State vs Utah State Odds

Spread

• Colorado State +2.5 (-109)
• Utah State -2.5 (-111)

Over/Under

• Over 150 (-115)
• Under 150 (-105)

Moneyline

• Colorado State +125
• Utah State -145

Last Five Games for Colorado State

• New Mexico (1/2 – home): won 76-68
• Adams State (12/29 – home): won 106-61
• Loyola Marymount (12/22 – away): won 76-67
• Colorado State Pueblo (12/17 – home): won 86-54
• Saint Mary’s (12/9 – home): lost 64-61

Last Five Games for Utah State

• Air Force (1/2 – away): won 88-60
• East Tennessee State (12/22 – home): won 80-65
• San Francisco (12/16 – Salt Lake City, UT): won 54-53
• Santa Clara (12/13 – away): won 84-82
• Northwest Nazarene (12/9 – home): won 84-53

Players to Watch for Colorado State

• Isaiah Stevens: 17.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 7.4 APG, 53.4% FG, 46.0% 3PT
• Patrick Cartier: 13.5 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 61.5% FG, 51.4% 3PT, 85.2% FT
• Nique Clifford: 13.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 59.3% FG, 52.9% 3PT
• Joel Scott: 12.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 53.2% FG

Players to Watch for Utah State

• Great Osobor: 18.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.5 BPG, 58.2% FG
• Ian Martinez: 13.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 55.6% FG
• Mason Falslev: 11.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.0 SPG, 59.3% FG
• Darius Brown II: 10.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 7.6 APG

Colorado State vs Utah State Prediction and Picks

Prediction: Utah State to win

This is a matchup between two very talented and versatile teams, and the result should be a fantastic—and close—game in Logan.

Stevens is the man that makes things go for Colorado State, but he is not the only Ram that can take over and beat a team. Against New Mexico, it was Cartier, who had 21 points (8 of 12, 2 of 4 FG, 3 of 5 FT), with Stevens adding 18 points and eight assists.

The Aggies counter in much the same way. Osobor is their leading scorer and rebounder, and he went off against Air Force. But Falslev (18 points, 6 of 9 FG) and Martinez (17 points, 7 of 7 FG) both came up big against the Falcons, and in Brown (10 points, eight assists versus Air Force), the Aggies have their own dime-dropping machine to match Stevens.

The Smith Spectrum is not an easy place to play, and Colorado State will find that out tonight. It’s a shame this isn’t going to be a nationally-televised contest, because it stands to be one of the best games of the day.

Colorado State vs Utah State Picks

Spread and Over/Under Picks

Utah State -2.5 & Colorado State/Utah State over 150: I was tempted to prioritize the first half over, but in what should be a close game and a well-played game on the offensive end for both teams, I really like the over for the full game.

Player Prop Picks

Isaiah Stevens over 6.5 assists & Darius Brown II over 7.5 assists: Stevens and Brown are two of the best distributors in the business, and their generosity will be on display tonight.

Stevens has had seven or more assists nine times this season, including each of his last three games. Brown has had eight or more assists eight times this season, including each of his last two games.

Looking to learn more about the ins and outs of betting on NCAA basketball? Check out our college basketball betting guide.