Free Pick | NCAA Hoops | Thursday, Nov. 28

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#799 Washington -2.5 over Colorado State 5:30 PM CT

Danny Sprinkle has led excellent defenses the past two years, at Montana State in 2022-23 and last season at Utah State. He is now at Washington in a big transition season for the Huskies and while the five-game early season slate isn’t overly informative, Washington has a top 50 defensive efficiency and has been one of the best 3-point defenses in the nation. The one loss came in a low-scoring game vs. Nevada on the road but the Huskies have two top 200 wins heading to tournament play in Palm Springs. Colorado State is 3-2 but the three wins were all at home vs. teams rated outside the nation’s top 280. One of those wins required overtime and the Rams have lost the past two games, blown out vs. Ole Miss and losing in overtime in Fort Collings vs. UC Riverside. The 3-point shooting numbers have been rough on both sides of the ball for Niko Medved’s team with Colorado State likely to have a step-back season following a NCAA Tournament campaign last season. Three starters were with the team last season while a few veteran transfers have joined the Rams but there is limited size and depth for this group and last year’s best player Isaiah Stevens is playing professionally. This is a revenge game for Washington as Colorado State won 86-81 in Las Vegas last December as part of a great non-conference run for the Rams. Washington’s numbers are preferable, and the rebounding interior defense edge should be clear for the Huskies in this game.