Colorado State vs Memphis Prediction 3/21/25 College Basketball Picks

The Colorado State Rams are facing the Memphis Tigers on Friday, March 21st at the Climate Pledge Arena, in this NCAA Tournament Round of 64 matchup. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Colorado State Rams vs Memphis Tigers Prediction. We will examine:

The Memphis Tigers recent form and player performance

The Colorado State Rams recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Memphis Tigers

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Colorado State Rams

Recent betting trends in games played between the Colorado State RamsvsMemphis Tigers

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Colorado State Rams vs Memphis Tigers game

Memphis Tigers Preview

The Memphis Tigers have a 29-5 record this season and were placed first in the AAC. Memphis is coming off an 84-72 win over UAB in the AAC Final, winning the conference tournament. The Tigers are 16-18 against the spread, and 18-16 in over/under. 

Offensively, Memphis is averaging 80.1 points per game, which is 44th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 73.2 points per game (211th). The Tigers shoot with 47.4% from the field (41st), and with 38% from beyond the arc, which is the 10th-best in the nation. The Tigers shoot with 70.2% from the free-throw line (228th), and are grabbing 34.3 rebounds per game (79th).

PJ Haggerty leads Memphis in scoring in the playoffs with an average of 27.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists, while Dain Dainja adds 21 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

Colorado State Rams Preview

The Colorado State Rams have a 25-9 record this season and were placed 2nd in the Mountain West. Colorado State is coming off a 69-56 win over Boise State in the Mountain West Final, and won the conference championship. The Rams are 21-13 against the spread, and 18-15-1 in over/under. 

Offensively, Colorado State is averaging 75.2 points per game, which ranks 137th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 67.1 points per game (56th). The Rams shoot with 48% from the field (36th), and with 36.6% from beyond the arc (82nd). The Rams shoot with 77.5% from the free throw line, which is the 10th-best in the nation, and are grabbing 31.6 rebounds per game (181st).

Nique Clifford leads Colorado State in scoring in the playoffs, with an average of 25 points, adding team-highs both in rebounding with 10.3, and in assists made with 4.3 per game. Kyan Evans adds 9.3 points and 3 assists per game. 

Why the Memphis Tigers will win

• Memphis has won each of its last eight games.
• Colorado State has lost 19 of its last 21 games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Colorado State has lost the first half in 13 of its last 16 games against AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Colorado State Rams will win

• Colorado State has won each of its last 10 games.
• Memphis has lost three of its last four NCAA Tournament games.
• Colorado State has won the first half in each of its last seven day games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Memphis’ last nine day games have produced a total of 149+ points.
• Nine of Colorado State’s last 10 day games have produced a total of 146 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Memphis ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for three-point percentage this season (38.8%).
• Memphis ranks T28th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (22.7).
• Colorado State ranks 11th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (79.0%).
• Colorado State ranks 14th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (67.9%).

Colorado State Rams vs Memphis Tigers Prediction

In their only previous meeting back in 2021, Memphis won 90-67 on the road, covering the spread, as the game went over the point total.

In this Colorado State Rams vs Memphis Tigers Prediction, Colorado State is coming as -1.5-point favorites. Maybe the wrong team is favored in this matchup, as Memphis had more total wins this season and also more wins away from home than Colorado (10 to 7). Colorado has been one of the hottest teams, if not the hottest team, in the nation lately, with ten consecutive wins, and a perfect 10-0 against the spread in that span. Memphis has also been red-hot lately, with 9 straight wins, but are just 5-5 against the spread.

This is going to be a close one, as Colorado’s elite defense goes up against Memphis’ elite offense, but the fact that Memphis has been mediocre against the spread lately, makes me lean towards Colorado State in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Colorado State Rams -1.5