by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023
Time: 11 p.m. ET
Venue: Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA
Where to watch: CBS Sports Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: San Diego State -11.5
FanDuel: San Diego State -11.5
BetMGM: San Diego State -11.5
Caesars: San Diego State -11.5
Season record
Colorado State: 12-15 (4-10 Mountain West)
No. 22 San Diego State: 21-5 (12-2 Mountain West)
February is here and the college basketball season is taking full shape. Conference races still to be determined, the top 25 completely in shambles for what seems like every week, and there's bound to be an upset what seems like every single week. But as the season continues to progress with what seems like exciting action every week, you know our champion handicappers continue to put the work in each and every week to not only make money for them, but to ensure you get money in your pocket. All you need to do is look at the last 30 days. Scott Rickenbach has reeled in a net profit of $14,000 with a 24-9-0 run on the college hardwood. Team Del Genio has killed it with a 13-1-0 run at +$11,900. Will Rogers (28-15-0) and Matt Fargo (40-27-0) have also seen five figures over the last 30 days with college basketball. Surely, you want to get on this winning as well. All you need to do is go to bigal.com, check out our Best Bets page and make sure you are following along on the action. March will be here before you know it! Take advantage of our best plays and find out what our champion handicappers are doing at bigal.com!
Colorado State - San Diego State preview, prediction and analysis
The last four games have propelled the San Diego State Aztecs back into the top 25, and some statement wins in the process have pushed them to the top of the Mountain West Conference with a few games to play. San Diego State returns home now No. 22 in the country and will take on the Colorado State Rams at Viejas Arena on Tuesday.
San Diego State is coming off the most typical San Diego State game ever last Wednesday, a 45-43 clunker victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs. Good to know that San Diego State can still score 20 points and win a game. Great, good job, Bob. So annoying.
Matt Bradley scored a grand total of 10 points, and San Diego State won its eighth straight game against Fresno State.
“I told the guys I don’t care what anybody says, it was a beautiful win,” San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher said. “We find a way to win. That’s it.”
Maybe it’s beautifully dumb that it takes 45 points to win a game, but what do I know about this dumb conference? The Aztecs shot just 32.7% from the floor and needed to go just 5 of 11 from 3-point range. Fresno State, meanwhile, shot just 30.9 percent. And are you ready for the kicker? 2 of 26 from 3-point range. Good lord.
“Eighteen points we gave them in the second half,” Dutcher said, “and it was just enough to get a victory.”
San Diego State has suddenly surged back to the top of the standings and are one game ahead of Boise State for first place, which helped with that outright win on Feb. 3 at home. Nevada-Reno and Utah State are still in the thick of things. Even Utah State with a late run could make things interesting in that regard. Right now, it’s San Diego State’s to lose.
Colorado State is also coming off a win at Fresno State, but this one on Saturday by the tune of 60-57 for their second win in three games. Colorado State is just 12-15 and 4-10 in conference play, but at least they’re challenging to get out of the basement. Isaiah Stevens scored a team-high 17 points on 7 of 13 shooting, and Patrick Cartier added 13 points for the Rams.
Prediction
This one should be in the bag. There’s no way Colorado State has the firepower to win this game. San Diego State’s defense should have an easy night. San Diego State 70, Colorado State 52
Betting trends
Colorado State is 10-19 ATS as an underdog the last 3 seasons.
Colorado State is 15-14 ATS on the road in the last 3 seasons.
San Diego State is 10-12 ATS as a favorite this season.
San Diego State is 29-24 ATS against conference opponents the last 3 seasons.
Projected starting lineup
Colorado State:
PG: Isaiah Stevens
SG: Baylor Hebb
SF: John Tonje
PF: Isaiah Rivera
C: Patrick Cartier
San Diego State:
PG: Darrion Trammell
SG: LaMont Butler
SF: Matt Bradley
PF: Keshad Johnson
C: Nathan Mensah
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Colorado State Rams - San Diego State Aztecs prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily college basketball projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
