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Colorado vs. Baylor NCAA Tournament Preview & Free Pick

Bet On NCAA Basketball: Buffaloes (11) vs Bears (3)

While it wasn’t considered a banner season by their extremely high standards, the Duke Blue Devils are once again a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.  

NCAA Tournament Matchup: Colorado vs. Baylor
South Region
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Time/TV: 9:40 PM EST on TBS
College Basketball Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
NCAA Basketball Betting Favorite: Baylor -7.5
Over/Under: 133

 Matchup | Preview

Colorado upset UNLV in a wild game Thursday night, while Baylor held off the upset-minded South Dakota State Jackrabbits. The PAC 12 Tournament Champs will look to pull off another upset under coach Tad Boyle’s guidance here.

Can the Buffaloes handle the ultra-talented frontcourt of the Baylor Bears?

Let’s take a look at this matchup.

Colorado was one of the teams that really thought they deserved to be in the NCAA Tournament last year. They played their way into the tournament this year, and they made the most of their first game with a strong defensive effort against UNLV. Tad Boyle has done a tremendous job turning this program around.

Carlon Brown transferred in from Utah, and Brown has been huge in this team’s late season run. He leads the team with 12.6 points per game. Sophomore Andre Roberson has been the team’s best player overall. He is a double-double machine. Roberson averages 11.6 points and 11.2 rebounds. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Austin Dufault and Spencer Dinwiddie are capable of getting hot, and both of them were big in the UNLV win Thursday. Colorado gives up just 62.5 points per game.

Baylor probably has the most talented frontcourt in the nation, but they didn’t play like it against South Dakota State Thursday.

Perry Jones III looked disinterested and Quincy Acy got into early foul trouble. As this tournament goes on, the Bears will need Jones, Acy, and Quincy Miller to be at their best.

Jones having just two points against a small team like South Dakota State really is unacceptable. Little used forward Anthony Jones actually had 11 points in just nine minutes of play Thursday.

Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip were both great in the backcourt. Many people were worried about Baylor’s guards before the season, but both Jackson and Heslip have been terrific this year. Jackson is a play maker who is a clutch shooter, and Heslip shoots 44% from beyond the arc.

Baylor generally controls the glass because of their size and length on the inside.

Colorado has had a nice run, but I don’t expect them to be able to handle Baylor’s low post scorers. Look for Colorado to try to slow the game down here.

Free College Basketball Pick: Under 133
Prediction: Baylor 69 Colorado 58

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By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.