Colorado State vs. Missouri March 21 Free Play

Colorado State and Missouri tip in an 8/9 matchup to earn the right to play Louisville and a chance to go to the Sweet 16. This should be an awesome game that features two of the top four rebounding teams in all of Division I. The spread has been set at Missouri -3.

Free Pick

Here’s the skinny on Colorado State. The Rams are led by Larry Eustachy, who is one of the most underrated coaches in college basketball. Eustachy has only brought success to each program he has spent time with, namely Iowa State and Southern Miss. He brings a fiery and hard-nosed coaching style to CSU and it doesn’t take long to realize that when you watch the Rams play.

Colorado State starts five Seniors and are as tough on the defensive end as just about any team in this field. This same core of players lost to a really tough Murray State team in the Round of 64 last season and I expect them to take a step further this year. Another guy I have mentioned several times on this blog, Colton Iverson is someone you should get to see play if you haven’t. From South Dakota, Iverson is 6’10” 260 and I’m not sure if there is a bit of fat on this kid’s body. Mean, tough and physical, Iverson probably plays within his individual skill set better than any player I’ve seen this season. He doesn’t have the scoring-ability to make him a big NBA prospect, but he shot 60% from the field this season (14.7 ppg) mainly because of his shot selection. He is also the best rebounder in the country in my opinion and also should have been named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. Also, a last note to the Missouri bigs: talk on screens. If not, Iverson may knock Phil Pressey unconscious with a ball screen at the top of the key. This team runs a lot deeper than Iverson, though. Pierce Hornung and Greg Smith complete a frontcourt that can bang with the best of them. Hornung is listed at just 6’6” but he plays much bigger than that. By the numbers, he is the best offensive rebounder in the nation. Smith is athletic and physical and will prove to be a tough test for Laurence Bowers.

The biggest concern for CSU is the health of their point guard Dorian Green. Green rolled his ankle just before the MWC Tournament and missed their opener vs. Fresno State before gutting it out in a loss to UNLV (where he also re-aggravated it later in the second half). I can only speculate on the ankle; I know he will play, but effectiveness is a huge factor playing against a Missouri team and Phil Pressey who will look to push at every opportunity. Green is crucial to the Colorado State team because he is their best shot-creator, which is a scarce resource for the Rams. His backcourt mate Wes Eikmeier is a pure shooter who strokes the three-ball at over 36% and exceeds 90% from the line. His ability to spread the floor will be huge for the Rams. If Eikmeier isn’t hitting, this team can get too clogged up in the middle and tends to struggle.

For Missouri, they are a team that underachieved all season. Loaded with talent from the bigs all the way down to SEC Preseason Player of the Year, Phil Pressey, the Tigers can get a big game from six different players on their roster. Alex Oriakhi has the size and skill level to be able to slow Iverson, it’s just a matter of whether he can stay out of foul trouble. I’m not sure that he can. Laurence Bowers prefers to be a face-up guy who plays a little softer than a Colorado State forward. If he is able to dictate the game from the perimeter, taking his guy off the bounce, it could be a long day for Colorado State. I also question whether or not this will consistently happen in this one.

Missouri struggles with shot selection at times, which is a dream for Colorado State and the way they play. Eustachy prides his team on holding opponents to one shot and done, which means the Rams will take away much of what Missouri does on the offensive glass. As long as Green can run with Pressey for 32+ minutes in this one, it should come down to which frontcourt can stay out of foul trouble – a spot I like CSU in. If you ask me, the wrong team is favored in this one but it is still a great game that should be very entertaining.

Free Pick: Colorado State +3