Game Details:
- Date & Time: Friday, March 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
- Broadcast: TBS
- Betting Odds:
- Point Spread: Colorado State -2.5
- Moneyline: Colorado State -135 | Memphis +115
- Over/Under: 147.5 points
Memphis Tigers Overview (29-5, 1st in American Athletic Conference)
The Tigers enter as the No. 5 seed in the West Region, riding a strong regular-season performance. Memphis averages 73.2 points per game while allowing 73.2 points per game, highlighting their balanced scoring and vulnerabilities.
Key Players:
- PJ Haggerty (21.9 PPG): Dynamic scorer, essential to Memphis’ offensive flow.
- Dain Dainja (14.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG): Inside presence who can control the paint.
Team Weakness:
- Turnovers: Memphis averages 13.7 turnovers per game, ranking 331st nationally, which could be a liability against disciplined teams.
Colorado State Rams Overview (25-9, 2nd in Mountain West Conference)
The Rams secured a No. 12 seed following a stellar Mountain West season, highlighted by a 10-game win streak and tournament title. Colorado State averages 75.2 points per game while allowing only 67.1 points per game.
Key Players:
- Nique Clifford (19.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.4 APG): Do-it-all guard leading the Rams.
- Ball Security: Rams average 11.6 turnovers per game, ranking 167th nationally, giving them an advantage in possession control.
Key Matchups to Watch:
- Guard Play:
PJ Haggerty vs. Nique Clifford will be a crucial battle as both players are central to their teams’ offenses. - Turnover Battle:
Memphis’ turnover woes could give Colorado State extra possessions — a key factor in a tight game.
Betting Angles & Trends:
- Against the Spread (ATS):
- Memphis: 17-15-0 ATS (53.1%)
- Colorado State: 20-13-0 ATS (60.6%)
- Over/Under Trends:
- Memphis: Over in 21 of 32 games (65.6%)
- Colorado State: Over in 15 of 33 games (45.5%)
With the total at 147.5 points, the tempo and defensive discipline of Colorado State suggest value on the Under.
Expert Predictions & Best Bets:
🔥 Best Bet: Under 147.5 (-110)
💰 Lean: Colorado State -2.5 (-110)
🎯 Prop Bet: PJ Haggerty Over 20.5 points
Final Thoughts: Memphis Tigers vs. Colorado State Rams Preview
Expect a closely contested game with contrasting styles — Memphis’ scoring firepower versus Colorado State’s defensive efficiency and ball control. The Rams’ slight edge in turnover margin and defensive metrics makes them a worthy favorite, but the matchup promises to be tight.
