St. Bonaventure vs. Colorado Prediction and Odds for NIT Opening Round (Buffaloes Set To Stampede)
By Joe Summers
The 21-11 No. 4 Colorado Buffaloes ended the regular season in a flurry and take on the No. 5 20-9 St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the first round of the NIT today at 11:00 PM EST.
Colorado has won eight of their last 10 games with a 7-2-1- record against the spread (ATS). They knocked off Arizona and nearly pulled it off a second time in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament but fell short.
St. Bonaventure, meanwhile, has lost two of three after a seven-game winning streak. Saint Louis beat them by one in the Atlantic-10 Conference Tournament to end their NCAA Tournament hopes, but the Bonnies are still 7-3 ATS over their last 10.
Let's check out the odds over at WynnBET to see which squad deserves our dollars in today's NIT Opening Round matchup:
St. Bonaventure vs Colorado Odds, Spread and Total
Spread
- St. Bonaventure +3.5 (-110)
- Colorado -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- St. Bonaventure: +140
- Colorado: -170
Total:
- 137.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
St. Bonaventure vs Colorado Prediction and Pick
There are a few factors working in the Buffaloes favor in this matchup. First, the Bonnies have really struggled offensively of late. Over their last five games, they're in the 2nd percentile in offensive rating thanks to a 1st-percentile ranking in true shooting percentage. They get to the free throw line at one of the lowest rates in the country, so if they're not making shots then they're not scoring.
Colorado's offense has been much better over the last couple weeks, shooting just under 40% from beyond the arc. With an offense finding its groove and a top-50 defense in efficiency, the Buffaloes have advantages everywhere before you even consider their superior rebounding and bench.
Speaking of benches, St. Bonaventure doesn't really have one. Four players average over 37 minutes a game and only six players average at least 10. This game is in Colorado and the elevation will be a factor. I tried to hike once without preparing for the whole "elevation" thing and it was a disaster - I can't imagine playing nearly 40 minutes of basketball up there immediately after a grueling conference tournament.
The Buffaloes have 10 players averaging more than 10 minutes per game and they'll be much more prepared to weather the exhaustion of the last week.
Finally, Colorado wins games it's supposed to. In 2022, the Buffaloes are 7-2-1 ATS as a favorite. The Bonnies are 1-4 ATS in their last five as an underdog and I expect both of those trends to continue.
Pick: Colorado -3.5 (-110)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.
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