COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Colorado enters with the more complete profile, especially on offense and overall shot-making. The Buffaloes averaged 80.2 points per game, shot 46.7% from the field, and posted a 76.1% free throw rate at the line. Their defense also held opponents to 79.8 points per game, which is a useful sign that they can keep control without forcing a runaway tempo. Abilene Christian’s recent profile has been much shakier. The Wildcats averaged 67.9 points per game, shot 42.4% overall, and only 31.0% from three. They also averaged 30.3 rebounds per game, which leaves little margin against a bigger Power-conference opponent. With that kind of offensive output, the Wildcats are more likely to have long scoring droughts than to trade baskets for 40 minutes.
Colorado should control the game from start to finish and win comfortably, but the best value leans to the under because Abilene Christian’s offense profiles as too inefficient to keep the pace high for long stretches. A projected final score of Colorado Buffaloes 80, Abilene Christian Wildcats 69 points to a game that lands below the market total while still leaving Colorado as the clear winner.