Wyoming Cowboys at Colorado Buffaloes
Coors Events Center – Boulder, Colorado
Friday, December 9, 2011, 9:00 Eastern, TV: Root Colorado
Opening Line: Colorado -5
Current Line: Colorado -5 1/2
Opening Total: 132
Current Total: 131
Opening Money Line: Colorado -240 / Wyoming +200
Current Money Line: Colorado -245 / Wyoming +205
The 8-1 Wyoming Cowboys travel south to take on the 5-3 Colorado Buffaloes Friday night. The Cowboys are coached by Larry Shyatt and have won 6 straight games. The only blemish on the record is a 52-44 loss at Green Bay. The Cowboys haven’t played the most demanding schedule so far as the best wins are at home over Louisiana Tech and Bradley. This is the only the second road game for Wyoming. Colorado is coached by Tad Boyle and every one of their games has been decided by 9 points or less. The Buffaloes have losses to Wichita St and Maryland in a tournament in Puerto Rico last month, along with a loss at in-state rival Colorado St 65-64. Colorado’s best win is at home over Georgia 70-68. Wyoming leads the series 40-35 against Colorado, including 15-24 in Boulder. The Cowboys have won 4 straight against the Buffaloes, but they haven’t played since 2007.
Last Saturday, Wyoming was a 10.5 point favorite on the college basketball betting line at home against Bradley. The Braves were up 21-10 at halftime. The Cowboys opened the second half with a 20-3 run and never looked back in their 66-49 win. The Cowboys were 22/50 from the field including 8/23 on three pointers. The Cowboys were 14/22 from the line. Wyoming had 23 rebounds, 11 assists, 11 steals, 2 blocks and 12 turnovers. Cowboy guard Luke Martinez scored 20 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 2 steals. Martinez made 6 out of 10 three pointers. Center Adam Waddell scored 15 points, a rebound, and 3 steals. Forward Leonard Washington had 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and a block. The Cowboys only had 6 bench points. Bradley was 18/49 from the field, including 0/14 from 3 point range.
Wyoming guard Francisco Cruz averages 13 points to lead the team, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists a game. Martinez averages 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1 steal a game. He is shooting 46% from three point range. Washington is averaging 11.3 points, 6 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks a game. He leads the Cowboys in rebounds, blocks, and steals. Waddell averages 10.1 points and 2.8 rebounds a game. JayDee Luster leads the team in assists with 4.1 a game. Forward Larry Nance, Jr. , son of the former Cleveland Cavalier all-star, averages 4.6 rebounds a game.
Wyoming is outscoring opponents 68-49 this season. The Cowboys are shooting 47.3% from the field including 33.7% from 3 point range. Wyoming makes 75% of their free throws. The Cowboys average 33.1 rebounds, and have a rebounding margin of +2.2. Wyoming averages 12 assists and 12.3 turnovers a game. The Cowboys average 8.4 steals and 3.2 blocks a game. Cowboy opponents are shooting 35.4% from the field, including 22.2% from three point range.
Wednesday night, Colorado was a 9 point favorite at home against Fresno St. The Buffaloes were up 38-23 at halftime, but the Bulldogs rallied in the second half. Colorado held on for the 71-64 win. Colorado was 19/37 shooting from the field, including 6/12 from beyond the arc. The Buffaloes were 27/32 from the free throw line. Colorado had 34 rebounds, 13 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, and 17 turnovers. Guard Andre Robinson had 21 points, 10 rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Guard Spencer Dinwiddle had 15 points, 2 rebounds and an assist. Forward Austin Dufault had 13 points and 3 rebounds. Fresno St was 22/61 shooting from the field, including 6/23 from 3 point range.
Guard Carlon Brown averages 12.8 points to lead the team, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Dufault averages 12.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a game. Robinson averages 11.1 points, 11.8 rebounds to lead the team, 1.3 assists, and 1 block a game to lead the team. Nate Tomlinson averages 9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals a game. He leads the Buffaloes in assists and steals. Reserve forward Damiene Cain is suspended indefinitely due to academics.
Colorado is outscoring opponents 72-69 this season. The Buffaloes are shooting 45.7% from the field, including 40% from 3 point range. Colorado makes 64.4% of their free throws. The Buffaloes average 38.5 rebounds a game, and has a rebounding margin of +5.8. Colorado averages 13.8 assists and 13.8 turnovers a game. The Buffaloes had 4.6 steals and 2.5 blocks a game. Colorado opponents are shooting 42.5% from the field, including 35.6% from 3 point range.
Colorado is 4-3 against the spread, and the total is 4-3 as well this season. Wyoming is 5-1 ATS and the total is 1-5 this season. The Cowboys are 4-0 ATS after a straight up win, in non-conference games, and overall, 6-1 after allowing 50 points or less, 5-2-1 against teams with winning records, 2-7 in road games against teams with winning home records, 1-4 in Friday games, 2-8 in road games, and as a road underdog, 1-6 as an underdog of 6.5 points or less, including 0-5 on the road, 0-4 as an underdog, and 0-5 against teams from the Pac 10/12. The Buffaloes are 8-0 ATS after failing to cover, 4-1 after a straight up win, and against teams with winning records, 2-5 at home against teams with losing road records, 1-5 at home and as a home favorite.
Wyoming has been winning on the strength of their defense. The Cowboys are ranked in the top 10 in points allowed, opponent’s field goal percentage, and opponent’s 3 point percentage. Colorado sometimes struggles on offense, so Wyoming could pull off the mild upset. I like this game to go under the total, as I see this game in the mid to low 60’s on both sides.
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