The Colorado State Rams are set to host the Saint Joseph’s Hawks in their first-round NIT matchup tonight.
Saint Joseph's has shown elite defensive abilities this season, but this is a game where that will be put to the test.
I break down why points will be difficult to come by in my Saint Joseph's vs. Colorado State predictions and college basketball picks for Wednesday, March 18.
Saint Joseph's vs Colorado State prediction
Who will win Saint Joseph's vs Colorado State?
Colorado State: Saint Joseph’s has leaned on an elite defense to stay in games, but the Hawks are 0-4 against Quad-1 opponents as their limited offense can’t keep up. Struggles getting to the free-throw line and shooting from deep hurt them against quality teams.
Colorado State, meanwhile, is 3-5 against both Quad-1 and Quad-2 opponents. The Rams' ability to knock down threes has carried them this season — and it will be key again tonight.
Saint Joseph's vs Colorado State best bet: Under 145 (-110)
The Under is 16-9 in the last 25 games for Saint Joseph’s, which makes sense given the Hawks rank 34th in opponent eFG% this season.
Colorado State also sits 43rd in block rate and 42nd in adjusted defensive efficiency. That offsets an offense ranked just 280th in eFG%, hurt further by a 30.8% accuracy rate from beyond the arc.
The Rams are also 358th in adjusted tempo, and while they rank Top 10 in 3-point accuracy and get to the free-throw line often, the Hawks defend well without fouling.
Colorado State will hit shots, but not enough to push the total past the number.
COVERS INTEL: In four games against Quad-1 opponents, Saint Joseph’s allowed teams to shoot 43.4% from beyond the arc — more than 12 percentage points higher than their season average against the other 29 opponents.
Saint Joseph's vs Colorado State same-game parlay
I expect Colorado State to win this one comfortably. The Rams boast a balanced offense, with seven players averaging between 12.2 and 8.1 points per game.
Even with Saint Joseph’s strong defense, it’s tough to contain an attack featuring five players who are shooting 40% or better from deep.
The Hawks have faced nine Quad-1 and Quad-2 teams this season, and their seven losses in those contests all came by at least seven points.
Saint Joseph's vs Colorado State SGP
- Under 145
- Colorado State -6.5
Our beyond the arc SGP: Deadeye from Downtown
Saint Joseph’s excels at protecting the paint, holding opponents to just 53.8% shooting near the rim, but they allow a lot of long-range attempts.
That plays right into Colorado State’s hands. The Rams rank 19th in 3-point rate and fifth in accuracy, which is enough to help push this parlay over the top.
Saint Joseph's vs Colorado State SGP
- Carey Booth Over 0.5 threes
- Jase Butler Over 1.5 threes
- Jevin Muniz Over 0.5 threes
- Brandon Rechsteiner Over 2.5 threes
Saint Joseph's vs Colorado State odds
- Spread: Saint Joseph's +5.5 (-110) | Colorado State -5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Saint Joseph's +210 | Colorado State -260
- Over/Under: Over 143.5 (-110) | Under 143.5 (-110)
Saint Joseph's vs Colorado State betting trend to know
Saint Joseph's has covered the 1H spread in 22 of its last 25 games (+18.40 Units / 64% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Saint Joseph's vs. Colorado State.
How to watch Saint Joseph's vs Colorado State
| Location | Moby Arena, Fort Collins, CO |
| Date | Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 11:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Saint Joseph's vs Colorado State key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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