Free Picks: Colorado aims to crush Georgetown’s Cinderella Story

Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas were the Cinderella Story of the Big East Tournament and their successes earned them a spot in March. However, they may have punched out of their weight class as they face a Colorado Buffaloes team who matches up well with Georgetown. Find out why Colorado and Tad Boyle should find their way past the Georgetown Hoyas.

The Buffaloes lost their Pac-12 title game to Oregon State, but that loss could be good for this veteran team, because there is nothing like adversity to bring a team together. Colorado is 4-3-0 ATS after a loss and prior to their Oregon State loss, they had won six straight games. That loss was an upset, but it was similar to a 12 seed over 5 seed upset. Now in a familiar scenario, I think Colorado is ready to weather the storm and take down Georgetown.

Colorado is 9-3 SU and 7-5 ATS in their last 12 games. As favourites Colorado went 15-9 ATS and NCAAB odds have them set as 6 point favourites in this game. If the Buffs win they could absolutely stretch the scoreline out, because of their proficiency from the free throw line. At 82.2%, Colorado is the 2nd best free throw shooting team in the country. That’s not the only strength of their offense, as they shoot 36.7% from deep. McKinley Wright IV is the feature weapon, but this team runs deep. Tad Boyle has 10 players he trusts and he will utilize all of them.

Georgetown’s Big East run lined up perfectly. They caught every team at the right time and while their run was impressive, do no’t expect it to carry over in strong fashion. They utilized the free throw line to get free points and shot 22 free throws a game, quite a tick up from their season average of 17.7 attempts per game. This Colorado team will be far more desperate and their defense/size will overwhelm the Hoyas. One of my free NCAAB picks is Georgetown under 65.5 points (-105 Betway).

Finally, Colorado’s average 2nd half margin is +3.9 while Georgetown’s is -1.9, I want the team that closes better. I expect Colorado to be ahead at the half and the stats say they will close out this game with great free throw shooting and tenacious defense. Ride with the Buffaloes spread at -6.5 and expect them to get close to double digits.

• The Under has cashed in 18 of Colorado’s 30 games this season
• Colorado is 15-9-0 ATS as favourites this season
• The Under has cashed in 14 of Georgetown’s 25 games this season
• Georgetown is 13-7-0 ATS as underdogs this season