Colorado vs. Boise State Picks, Odds, Starting Lineups For the 2024 March Madness First Four
The Colorado Buffaloes will take on the Boise State Broncos on Wednesday night in Dayton as part of the First Four. Can KJ Simpson and the Buffaloes advance to the Round of 64 with a win over Tyson Degenhart and the Broncos? Let's take a look at the latest odds and starting lineups for Colorado vs. Boise State in the First Four.
Peter Alexis - March 19, 2024, 6:45 PM EDT
5 minColorado vs. Boise State Picks, Odds, Starting Lineups For the 2024 March Madness First Four
The 2024 March Madness bracket is set, and was released on Sunday night to the masses. Now it's time to get the games underway, and it begins with the play-in matchups.
The Boise State Broncos will take on the Colorado Buffaloes on Wednesday night in Dayton for the final game of the First Four, with both squads fighting to reach the Round of 64. The Broncos have never won an NCAA Tournament game, going 0-9 in their previous appearances. It's the longest streak without a win in March Madness history, and they'll try to flip the script in the First Four.
Boise State was seeded lower than many expected, after a successful season with many big wins in the Mountain West. They were projected closer to an 8-seed, but fell to the First Four following several upsets in the conference tournaments.
Colorado had a strong run in the Pac-12 Tournament to squeak into the field, a feat that seemed improbable a few weeks back amid a major losing streak. They have righted the ship, and were a few buckets shy of a conference championship before Oregon snagged it away from them on Saturday night.
Let's take a look at the latest odds for Colorado vs. Boise State, and examine their starting lineups for the First Four battle in Dayton.
Colorado vs. Boise State Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
- Start Time: 9:10 pm ET
- Where to Watch: TruTV
Click here for Colorado vs. Boise State odds
Colorado vs. Boise State Odds and Betting Data
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Implied Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
Colorado Buffaloes | -2.5 (-110) | -140 | 58.3% |
Boise State Broncos | +2.5 (-110) | +120 | 45.5% |
The field is set and the odds have been released for every opening matchup. Colorado and Boise State will wrap up the First Four play-in games on Wednesday night, with the winner moving on to the main group of 64.
These two squads are separated by only two points, and it is anyone's game for the chance to take on 7th-seeded Texas on Friday.
Colorado is the slim favorite in this First Four matchup, sitting with -140 odds on the moneyline to get a win and advance. This implies a 58% shot to win and advance to the Round of 64, and they'll have to lean on KJ Simpson and Tristan da Silva to get it done.
On the other side, Boise State isn't far behind with +120 odds. They hold a 45% chance to upset the Buffaloes, and with a spread this close, it could go either way. Tyson Degenhart and Max Rice will try to lift the Broncos to an underdog victory.
Colorado vs. Boise State Prediction
The Colorado Buffaloes have an impressive group of veteran scorers, highlighted by Simpson and da Silva. They also have big man Eddie Lampkin Jr. down low, who will look to be a force in the paint against a smaller Boise squad.
The Broncos are desperate for their first NCAAT win, but this will be a tough opponent to grab it against. Analytically, both of these teams should be seeded much higher than a play-in game. By most metrics, Colorado is right on the edge of the top-25, and plays a very efficient offense. They dominate the glass, and are fourth in the country from 3-point range.
As much as I'd like to fade the public here and take Boise, we are going to have to roll with the better Colorado squad on a neutral court. They are the much hotter team coming into this matchup, and while Boise State can play with anyone, it will be tough to run with the Buffs on Wednesday night.
Colorado vs. Boise State Prediction: Colorado -2.5 (-110) (Bet $110 to collect $210) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Colorado vs. Boise State Projected Lineups
Colorado projected lineup:
- F: Tristan da Silva
- C: Eddie Lampkin Jr.
- G: J'Vonne Hadley
- G: Luke O'Brien
- G: KJ Simpson
Boise State projected lineup:
- F: Tyson Degenhart
- F: O'Mar Stanley
- G: Roddie Anderson Jr.
- G: Chibuzo Agbo
- G: Max Rice
Colorado March Madness Odds
With the added difficulty of the First Four matchup, Colorado has longshot NCAA Tournament odds. They are currently listed back at +15000 to win it all, and will have a tough road with Florida, Marquette, Kentucky, and Houston if they are able to survive their opening matchup on Wednesday night. They have the veteran talent to make a run, but the odds are certainly stacked against them.
Boise State March Madness Odds
The Boise State Broncos are saddled back with +25000 odds to win March Madness, even further back than their opponent. They have yet to win an NCAA Tournament game in their program history, so they'll have to win one before they can win it all.
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