Posted:
#1
This in my humble opinion is the best match up in all of college basketball today. And I am here to show you why......
This is a classic strength vs. strength match up (Patriots vs. Ravens on Sunday comes to mind) this game should answer the age old question what would you rather have a great offense or a great defense. Lets start with some national rankings with the visiting Colorado State Rams. The Rams rank 1st in the entire country in offensive efficiency. Dont believe me well here are the numbers the Rams are 1st in the county in points per shot attempt aka efficiency at 1.49 points per attempt. The other teams rounding out the top 5 are Duke, Missouri, Indiana, and Creighton. The Rams rank 8th in the country in FG percentage at .562. Colorado State is 4th in the Country in 3 PT percentage and 10th in the country in Free throw percentage. This isnt a great offense in terms of high volume like a North Carolina or UNLV but this is arguably the most efficient offense in the entire country.
Lets now look at the Pokes the Cowboys rank 2nd in the country behind only Wisconsin in field goals allowed per game. 8th in the country in total Field Goal attempts allowed per game aka efficiency. Wyoming completely controls the game with their defense not offense. And most importantly WYO ranks 3rd in the country in points per game allowed behind only Wis and Virginia. And oh one more thing not to be outdone WYO ranks 9th in the country in free throw percentage less than half a percentage higher than the team in 10th which is Colorado State
Ok now that I have your attention lets talk about game changers.
CSU has 8 players averaging 20 or more minutes a game and WYO has 5. CSU plays an 8 man rotation and past that 8 its not pretty WYO plays more of a role player style where just about everyone hits the floor. Once again conflicting styles. No edge
Wyoming is at home... buuuuuuutttt this is a very passionate rivalry and Laramie is just a short 1 hour drive from Fort Collins so there will be maybe a 65 to 35 % split and this is the first time both schools have been good at anything at the same time in well probably 10 years - Slight Edge WYO
Previous Match ups - CSU has won the last 4 meetings between these 2 schools- Slight edge CSU
Bottom line this is a great match up that most the country doesnt know about a great offense vs a great defense 2 schools like could easily crack the top 25 before seasons end. But I am giving the edge to Colorado State for the only factor that I think doesnt come out to even.
CSU is 13 - 4 with the 18th toughest schedule and RPI 19. 2 Quality wins No bad loses.
WYO 15 - 3 SOS 275 RPI 98 1 quality win 1 bad loss.
This game will be a battle and I will take the team who is more battle tested. I would lean to which ever side is getting points in this match up because it will come down to the wire.
CSU + 5.5
Good Luck with whatever you decide but hope people start to realize the quality of ball that is being played out of the MWC this year.
0
Rammies!
happy I got that extra half point this morning that could prove to be a big half point 5 is a pretty important number in the game of basketball
Hot Forum Topics
