Memphis vs. Everybody: Experts pick Rams to upset Tigers in NCAA Tournament first round

If it feels a little like Memphis versus Everybody in the Tigers first-round NCAA tournament matchup with Colorado State, you're not wrong.

Experts across the board are picking the 12-seed Rams to upset the 5-seed Tigers when the teams tip off Friday in Seattle.

Many are citing Tyrese Hunter's injury, but Colorado State's recent winning streak (10 straight) and the strength of Rams guard Nique Clifford have helped make the Mountain West champs a fashionable pick over the Tigers.

Memphis coach Penny Hardaway on Tuesday said the underdog status just provides more motivation for the Tigers, Jonah Dylan reported.

"We obviously try to use it as motivation," he said. "But you have to give them credit. They've looked really daggone good, right? They're not respecting our conference because they're saying, 'Well, they're over there beating those teams that can't play.' Well, maybe they should come and play those teams and see how hard it really is."

Here's a look at some of the predictions for Friday's game in Seattle.

Seth Davis and Clark Kellogg started the Memphis hate on Selection Sunday

Seth Davis on Memphis: "I've got a mild upset for you, and that's another 12-5 with Colorado State partly because of the injury issue with Tyrese Hunter. We don't know how he's going to be for Memphis."

Clark Kellogg: "Colorado State has been on a roll here of late."

Since then, it seems nearly every prognosticator has taken cues from the CBS crew and picked against the Tigers.

USA TODAY picks Colorado State over Memphis

USA TODAY Sports reporter Eddie Timanus joined many of his colleagues in picking the Rams:

Comparing conferences isn’t always a valid predictor of success in this event, but there’s an argument that CSU’s finishing kick in the Mountain West was better preparation than the Tigers’ run through the one-bid American. The Rams enter on a 10-game winning streak, and if you don’t know about Nique Clifford yet, you soon will. Memphis also has talent and has won eight in a row itself, but even the books have CSU as a slight favorite.

Steve Berkowitz, a USA TODAY sports data reporter, like many, cited Tyrese Hunter's ankle injury when he took the Rams to upset the Tigers

"Colorado State has won 10 consecutive games, has an array of players who can shoot from three-point range and a singular talent in guard Nique Clifford, who leads the Rams in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Memphis, while sweeping the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles, has a big question at point guard with Tyrese Hunter’s ankle injury."

ESPN experts spilt in a close one

Jay Bilas expects a tight one. He picks Memphis to win, but says possibility of a seed upset is "high." Bilas writes that "Colorado State has Nique Clifford, a 'do-it-all' forward, and the Rams run a great offense. They can win."

Bilas also says Memphis guard PJ Haggerty "can really get downhill. He had 42 points in a game against Wichita State in the AAC tournament, and he will put up numbers against Colorado State."

ESPN's Jeff Borzello picks a score for every game and says the Rams win 72-70.

The Athletic likes Colorado State

Lindsay Schnell and CJ Moore filled out brackets and both picked the Rams to beat Memphis.

Moore writes that CSU "is one of the hottest teams in the country and has one of the best wings in the country in Nique Clifford. His matchup with PJ Haggerty will be a fun one. The Rams could end up betting favorites, and the reason I like them is Rashaan Mbemba has the strength to match up with Memphis big man Dain Dainja."

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Colorado State predictions show experts like Rams in NCAAs

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