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The Mountain West conference race continues to tighten as the Colorado State Rams head into Las Vegas to face the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels tonight. Tipoff is scheduled for 11:00 PM ET at the Thomas & Mack Center with a national television audience watching on CBSS. Colorado State enters this contest at 15-10 overall while UNLV sits just under them at 13-12. This is a crucial late season spot for two teams trying to solidify their positions in a very competitive league.
Oddsmakers have opened this game with UNLV as a narrow 1.5 point favorite at home. The moneyline reflects that tight margin with the Runnin’ Rebels sitting at -128 and the Rams coming back as a +103 underdog. With a total set at 149.5 points, the market is expecting a relatively high scoring affair for a Mountain West late night tip. This matchup features a contrast in styles that often defines February college basketball in the desert.
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Colorado State vs UNLV Odds
Current betting lines for this Mountain West clash are live, though bettors should consistently check for the latest Colorado State vs UNLV odds as tipoff approaches.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Colorado State | +103 | +1.5 (-112) | O 149.5 (-108) |
| UNLV | -128 | -1.5 (-112) | U 149.5 (-118) |
Colorado State Betting Form
Colorado State arrives in Las Vegas following a very efficient 79-68 win over Wyoming. The Rams are one of the most dangerous shooting teams in the country when they are locked in. They currently rank 29th nationally in field goal percentage at 49.0% and are even better from deep, hitting 39.5% of their three point attempts. Perhaps the most telling stat is their effective field goal percentage of 58.7%, which sits at 11th in the nation. When you look at the Colorado State stats and results, it is clear that they rely on high quality looks created by Jase Butler and Jevin Muniz.
The Rams have shown they can handle road environments, recently putting up 91 points in a win at Air Force. Brandon Rechsteiner has emerged as a reliable secondary option, and the team’s ability to minimize mistakes helps them stay in games where the crowd is against them. One thing to watch is their depth in the frontcourt, especially if they run into early foul trouble. You should definitely check the Colorado State injury report before finalizing any action, as their rotation relies heavily on their starting five staying on the floor for big minutes.
UNLV Betting Form
UNLV is coming off a massive 86-83 win against Boise State, a game where Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn absolutely took over with 36 points. He has been the engine for this team, averaging nearly 20 points per game. The Runnin’ Rebels are 9-5 at the Thomas & Mack Center this season, and they clearly play with more offensive confidence in front of their home fans. They average nearly 80 points per game and do a great job of forcing the issue at the rim, resulting in a high free throw attempt rate of nearly 25 per game.
The Rebels have shown a real knack for winning close games lately, having secured their last three victories by very thin margins. This tells me they are comfortable in late game execution, which is vital when you are laying a short number like 1.5. Kimani Hamilton provides a nice interior presence to balance out Gibbs-Lawhorn on the perimeter. Before betting the home side, take a look at the UNLV schedule and stats to see how they have fared against other elite shooting teams. Also, be sure to verify the UNLV injury report to ensure their primary ball handlers are cleared for this late tip.
Colorado State vs UNLV Matchup Breakdown
This game is going to be a massive tug of war regarding the tempo. Colorado State is one of the slowest teams in the country, ranking 421st in possessions per game. They want to walk the ball up, run their sets, and hunt for that 60% shot. UNLV, on the other hand, is much more comfortable in a track meet. I think the game will be decided by whether UNLV can force turnovers and get out in transition to bypass the Rams’ half court defense.
The shot profiles are also quite different. Colorado State is hunting the three ball and high percentage looks at the rim. UNLV is much more reliant on individual creation and getting to the charity stripe. If the Rams can keep this game in the half court, their superior shooting percentages likely give them the edge. However, the Thomas & Mack Center can get loud, and if UNLV starts hitting shots early, the Rams might be forced to play faster than they prefer.
Bettors looking for an edge might consider how these teams have performed in similar spots earlier this season. It might be worth checking a college basketball championship odds update to see if either of these teams is being treated as a legitimate dark horse in the conference tournament. I think the rebounding battle will be the hidden factor here. If Colorado State can limit UNLV to one shot per possession, they should be able to cover this small spread.
Colorado State vs UNLV Predictions and Best Bets
I think this line is a little bit off. UNLV is playing well at home and Gibbs-Lawhorn is on a heater, but Colorado State is simply the more efficient basketball team. Being able to get 1.5 points with a team that ranks 11th in effective field goal percentage is usually a winning proposition over the long haul. I expect the Rams to execute their half court offense and frustrate a UNLV team that wants to play much faster.
The total is the other interesting angle here. While both teams scored in the 80s in their last outings, the 149.5 feels a bit high given the Rams’ glacial pace. Colorado State is going to use almost the entire shot clock on every possession if they can. I think we see a game that lands somewhere in the mid 70s for the winner, which would keep this under the current number. It might be a sweat if the free throw parade starts late, but the pace should keep it under.
I’m siding with the road underdog in this spot. The Rams’ shooting should travel, and I think they are well equipped to handle the pressure that UNLV tries to apply. It might not be pretty, and it will probably be a one possession game in the final minute, but the value is on the plus side.
Best Bet: Colorado State +1.5 (-112).
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