BYU Cougars vs Colorado Buffaloes Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our BYU vs Colorado NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Boulder.

BYU vs Colorado Prediction

The Cougars and Buffaloes are set to face off at 11:00 ET on ESPNU. The Buffaloes will host the game at CU Events Center in Boulder, CO. BYU is favored by -4.5 in this Big 12 conference matchup the against Colorado. The over/under for the game is set at 145.5 points.

BYU vs. Colorado Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: BYU Cougars at Colorado Buffaloes
Where: Boulder at CU Events Center
Date: Tuesday, January 21st
Betting Odds BYU -4.5, BYU -202 | COL +164 O/U 145.5

Cougars Preview: Do the Cougars Have a Shot at a Win at Boulder?

BYU Cougars Recent Game/Games

The Cougars dropped to 11-6 on the season after a narrow 73-72 loss to the Utes on Saturday. BYU, who were slight -1 favorites, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

BYU led 30-27 at halftime but were outscored 37-34 in the second half. The total points for the game ended at 145, falling short of the 151.5 O/U line.

Cougars Offense Breakdown

BYU's offense struggled with efficiency in their last game, shooting just 38.5% from the field and 26.7% from beyond the arc, finishing with an effective field goal percentage of 43.6%. They also had a rough night at the free-throw line, hitting only 4 of 10 attempts.

Ezra Ausar led the way with 26 points on 11 of 15 shooting, while Richie Saunders and Fousseyni Traore each added 16 points. The Cougars grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and dished out 16 assists in the game.

Cougars Team Defense

BYU's defense gave up 73 points, with the opposing team shooting 44% from the field, hitting 25 of their 56 attempts. They were particularly effective inside, as BYU allowed 57% shooting on two-point attempts, with the other team making 19 of 33.

From beyond the arc, BYU held the opposition to 26% shooting, as they went 6 for 23 on threes. However, BYU sent them to the free-throw line 32 times, where they made 17, shooting 53%. BYU also allowed 9 offensive rebounds.

Buffaloes Preview: Can the Buffaloes Grab a Win at Home?

Colorado Buffaloes Recent Game/Games

Colorado fell to 9-8 on the season after an 83-73 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Buffaloes, who were +3.5 point underdogs, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points reached 156, surpassing the over/under line of 145.5.

Colorado trailed 43-33 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap in the second half, as both teams scored 40 points after the break.

Buffaloes Offense Breakdown

In their latest game, Colorado put up 73 points, shooting 46.9% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 53.1%, thanks to hitting 66.7% of their two-point attempts (18/27), though they struggled from beyond the arc, making just 5 of 22 threes (22.7%).

At the free-throw line, the Buffaloes were impressive, converting 22 of 25 attempts (88%). They recorded only 3 offensive rebounds but dished out 15 assists. Bryce Thompson, Bangot Dak, and Marchelus Avery each contributed 15 points, with Dak shooting 75% from the field.

Buffaloes Team Defense

Colorado's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 83 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 46% from the field. They were particularly vulnerable inside, with the other team hitting 51% of their two-point attempts, going 17/33.

From beyond the arc, Colorado allowed 6 threes on 17 attempts, a 35% shooting rate. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 42 times, where they converted 31 free throws at a 73% clip. Colorado gave up 13 offensive rebounds as well.

Cougars vs Buffaloes Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Through their last three road games, BYU has an ATS record of just 0-3. However, their overall record was 0-3 while averaging 64 points per game.
In their last three games at home, the Buffaloes have a straight up record of 0-3 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 69 points per game in these contests.
Looking back on the team's last three games as the underdog, the Buffaloes have a straight up record of 0-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 1-2.
Spanning across their last five games as the betting favorite, the Cougars have gone 2-3 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 2-3.