Colorado State vs Memphis prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament first round
The champions of the Mountain West meet the champions of the American Athletic Conference to open the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament.
Memphis is the No. 5 seed and will face No. 12 Colorado State on Friday, March 21, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
Here is a look at the key players and figures in the game and a prediction for the first round matchup:
Memphis basketball scouting report: Star transfers help lead Tigers
Memphis is 29-5 and has won eight games in a row. Penny Hardaway leads the Tigers with stars PJ Haggerty and Dain Dainja leading Memphis.
Haggerty, a 6-foot-3 guard, is a Tulsa transfer and is averaging 21.9 points and 3.8 assists per game. The 6-foot-9 Dainja is the AAC's Newcomer of the Year as a transfer from Illinois. He's averaging 14.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
The statuses of injured point guards Tyrese Hunter (foot) and Dante Harris (ankle) are uncertain for the NCAA Tournament.
The path for Memphis to March Madness
Memphis won the American Athletic Conference's regular season and tournament titles. The Tigers went 16-2 in league play.
In nonconference action, Memphis picked up key wins over Michigan State, UConn and Clemson.
Colorado State basketball keys in NCAA Tournament
Nique Clifford's name has been all over the college basketball world in the last few weeks.
The 6-foot-6 star wing has been excellent all season but has taken it to a new level since the calendar turned to March.
Clifford poured in 36 points in a win at Boise State in the regular season finale to secure the No. 2 spot for the Rams. Clifford averaged 25 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in the three-game Mountain West tournament as he was named MVP.
While the potential 2025 NBA first round pick is lead weapon for the Rams, this is a team built on the collective.
Sophomores Kyan Evans (point guard), Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (forward) and Rashaan Mbemba (forward) all start and have grown steadily through the season. Veteran guard Jalen Lake is a steady defender and 3-point threat.
CSU's bench has been flourishing. The reserves got the party started in the Mountain West title game against Boise State as Bowen Born and Ethan Morton combined for CSU's first 10 points.
And, collectively, defense is where this team wins. Both Boise State and Utah State grew visibly rattled by CSU's defensive ferocity.
The Rams are top-50 in the nation in KenPom's defensive efficiency rating.
Early betting odds for Memphis vs Colorado State basketball
Despite being a worse seed, the Rams open as an early betting favorite. ESPN Bet and FanDuel list the Rams as a 2.5-point favorite. DraftKings lists CSU as a 3.5-point favorite.
KenPom projects a one-point win for CSU.
Memphis basketball vs Colorado State prediction
Colorado State is one of the hottest teams in the nation, winners of 10 games in a row. The Rams also have a superstar in Clifford and a ferocious defense.
It's always popular to pick a 5-12 seed upset and this is an obvious candidate for a reason.
CSU wins 71-67.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado State vs Memphis prediction, pick March Madness first round
-
Drake basketball vs Missouri prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament first round
It’s Drake Bulldogs vs Missouri Tigers in March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Oregon Basketball vs Liberty prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament first round
It’s Oregon vs Liberty Flames in March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Notre Dame women's basketball vs Stephen F. Austin prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament first round
It's Notre Dame women's basketball vs. Stephen F. Austin in March Madness first round. Here's our prediction for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Memphis vs Colorado State schedule, TV channel: How to watch March Madness NCAA Tournament game
What time is the Memphis vs Colorado State NCAA Tournament game? How to watch Tigers vs Rams March Madness game on Friday, March 21 on TV.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
Oregon vs. Vanderbilt in March Madness: Prediction for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener
It's Oregon vs. Vanderbilt in the first round of the 2025 Women's NCAA Tournament. Here's our prediction for the March Madness basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Kentucky vs Liberty prediction in March Madness: Prediction for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener
It’s Kentucky vs Liberty in the first round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Here’s our prediction for the March Madness basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Louisville basketball vs Creighton prediction: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament first round?
It’s Louisville Cardinals vs Creighton Bluejays to begin March Madness. Here’s our prediction for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
South Carolina vs Tennessee Tech prediction in March Madness: Prediction for 2025 NCAA opener
It's South Carolina vs Tennessee Tech in the first round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Here’s our prediction for the March Madness basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Memphis vs. Wichita State odds, prediction, time: 2025 AAC Tournament picks, March 14 bets by proven model
SportsLine's model simulated Memphis Tigers vs. Wichita State Shockers in the 2025 AAC Tournament quarterfinals on Friday 10,000 timesCBS Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed
In today's edition: Brackets revealed, Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins, 17-year-old wins at Indian Wells, the Hanshin Tigers steal the show, playoff at The Players, and more.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed
In today's edition: Brackets revealed, Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins, 17-year-old wins at Indian Wells, the Hanshin Tigers steal the show, playoff at The Players, and more.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament
A look at television and game information for Tennessee's first-round basketball matchup in the NCAA Tournament against Wofford.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament
A look at television and game information for Tennessee's first-round basketball matchup in the NCAA Tournament against Wofford.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Red Wings Weekly News Recap: Post 2025 Trade Deadline
While nagging can build frustration, a little reminder never hurt anyone.Yahoo Sports - 14m
More in Sports
-
Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed
In today's edition: Brackets revealed, Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins, 17-year-old wins at Indian Wells, the Hanshin Tigers steal the show, playoff at The Players, and more.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed
In today's edition: Brackets revealed, Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins, 17-year-old wins at Indian Wells, the Hanshin Tigers steal the show, playoff at The Players, and more.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament
A look at television and game information for Tennessee's first-round basketball matchup in the NCAA Tournament against Wofford.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament
A look at television and game information for Tennessee's first-round basketball matchup in the NCAA Tournament against Wofford.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Bengals making Ja'Marr Chase NFL's highest-paid non-QB, also signing Tee Higgins to massive deal, per reports
The duo is staying in CincinnatiCBS Sports - 8m