Colorado Buffaloes vs. Miami Hurricanes – The Colorado Buffaloes and Miami Hurricanes are set to square off on Sunday in a non-conference showdown. Both teams feature talented guards that can fill up the stat sheet. This game is not just a battle of skills but also a critical juncture for NCAAB betting picks, with both teams showcasing standout players: KJ Simpson for Colorado and Wooga Poplar for Miami.
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Miami Hurricanes
Date & Time: Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET
Location: Barclays Center
TV: ESP2
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Miami Hurricanes Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Colorado | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Miami | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Colorado Buffaloes Analysis
The Buffaloes have one of the most efficient offenses in college basketball, averaging 83.8 points per game on 51.6% shooting. They like to push the pace and utilize their athleticism, tiring out opponents. Colorado has scored 80+ points in 6 of their 8 games this season.
Colorado moves the ball extremely well too, dishing out 17.8 assists per contest. Their unselfish brand of basketball leads to many open looks, especially from the 3-point line where they shoot 41.8%. Defensively, the Buffaloes have been decent, but not spectacular. They allow 72.5 points per game while opponents are shooting 43.6% from the field. Colorado’s main weakness on defense has been containing dribble penetration as they allow over 12 points per game off drives. They will need to tighten up their perimeter defense in this game, as Miami shoots 42.5% from 3-point range.
Simpson is the catalyst for the Buffaloes offense. In addition to his scoring, he chips in 4.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. His lightning quick first step allows him to get to the rim at will. Simpson also shoots 45.2% from 3-point land, forcing defenses to play up on him. His versatility and shot making ability gives Colorado a reliable option in crunch time.
Miami Hurricanes Analysis
Miami has an extremely efficient offense as well, averaging 84.6 points on 51.3% shooting this season. The Hurricanes utilize a 4-out offensive system with lots of ball screens and off ball movement to create open looks. They have many capable shooters and currently rank 19th nationally in 3-point percentage.
Defensively, the Hurricanes are very disruptive, forcing 12.8 turnovers per game. They aggressively jump passing lanes and trap ball handlers once they are caught in help positions. Miami also protects the rim well, averaging 4 blocks per contest. However, they have been vulnerable in transition defense at times this year.
Poplar is a dynamic scorer capable of getting buckets from all three levels. Using his quickness, he gets to the free throw line over 5 times per game. Poplar is also an excellent catch and shoot player, demonstrated by his 53.7% 3-point percentage. He will look to exploit Colorado’s perimeter defense in this matchup. Poplar also contributes 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest.
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Miami Hurricanes Against the Spread
Colorado has gone 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games. They have also hit the under in 4 of their last 5 matchups. The Buffaloes have been strong as an underdog recently, covering in 13 of their last 16 games when getting points.
Miami is just 2-3 against the spread in their last 5 contests. However, they have covered in 4 straight non-conference games. As a favorite this season, the Hurricanes are 3-1 against the spread.
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Miami Hurricanes Free Pick
Based on trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: Miami Hurricanes. Given their overall stronger Moneyline trend and slightly better offensive stats, Miami seems to have the edge in a straight-up win.
Spread: Colorado Buffaloes. This game should be close, so taking the points with a dynamic scorer like Simpson is valuable. The Buffaloes keep it close but Miami escapes with a slim victory.
Total: Over. Considering both teams’ offensive capabilities and trends towards hitting the Over, a higher-scoring game is anticipated.
Predicted Score: Miami Hurricanes 85, Colorado Buffaloes 80
While it’s always challenging to predict NCAA games with high certainty, considering the stats and trends, betting on Miami for the Moneyline seems like a safe choice. Among the top betting sites in Canada, this matchup will surely attract significant attention, providing an exciting and potentially lucrative opportunity for savvy bettors.
