The San Diego State Aztecs have only lost twice all season and 15 seed Northern Colorado is unlikely to make it three on Thursday in West Region Sportsbook round action at McKale Center.
The Mountain West champion Aztecs opened as 17-point favorites, but the number was bet down to -15, where it sits at Sportsbook at the moment. Why it was bet down, given the size and experience advantage is anybody's guess.
However the 32-2 Aztecs (19-11 ATS) have been to the tournament four times since 1985 and never won a game. Don't bet on that streak continuing against the Big Sky Conference champion Bears.
View Northern Colorado vs San Diego State Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
On the Sportsbook NCAAB line for this matchup, San Diego State sat as 17-point favorites.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Aztecs - Bears odds would favor the Aztecs if the lines were set according to our power ranks. San Diego State is rated No. 6 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Northern Colorado is at No. 70. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 80-74 win for the Aztecs.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up San Diego State's No. 81 nationally ranked offense (72.2 points per game) against a Bears defense that sits as the No. 107 at 65.7 PPG. The Aztecs have been averaging 46.7% from the field, more than the Bears have managed so far this season (43.1% on average).
Defensively, Northern Colorado features the nation's No. 273-rated defense on the road, allowing 75 points per game. San Diego State, meanwhile, comes in at No. 148 nationally in scoring at home.
Last time out for Northern Colorado, they were a 65-60 Sportsbook as they battled Montana. They covered in the match as a 3-point favorite.
In their last action, San Diego State was a 72-54 Sportsbook against BYU. They covered the 3–point spread as favorites.
Northern Colorado Bears Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
After playing Montana are 8-2
After a win are 8-2
San Diego State Aztecs Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
After playing BYU are 6-4
After a win are 9-1
A few Bears at Aztecs trends to consider:
San Diego State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
