Our best bets and prediction previews continue with a Patriot League showdown between the Colgate Raiders (9-7, 3-0 Patriot) and Army Black Knights (9-7, 3-0 Patriot) on Monday night. Tip-off from Christl Arena in West Point is scheduled for 7:00 pm EST.
This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the two schools with Army set to repay the visit to Colgate in mid-February. It’s also a matchup of two of the three remaining programs in the Patriot League who are unbeaten in conference play (4-0 American is the other). Continue reading for our Colgate vs Army Black Knights prediction.
Colgate Raiders vs. Army Black Knights Information
Date: Monday, January 9, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Venue: Christl Arena, West Point, New York
Last Game Records
When considering a Colgate Raiders prediction, it’s important to take a close look at the college basketball standings. We noted how both teams’ conference slates are unblemished thus far, as Colgate took care of Navy on Thursday by 14 and Army had no trouble with Loyola Maryland, dominating the Greyhounds by 23 on the road Thursday.
Both teams are riding mini win-streaks into this one (Army – 4, Colgate – 3), making this matchup one of the more underrated and compelling NCAA basketball games today.
Colgate Raiders vs. Army Black Knights Analysis
Much of the country’s attention will be on the National Championship game between Georgia and TCU, including a lot of college basketball players, but if you’re looking for a pivotal Monday night matchup on the NCAAB schedule, this is the one.
You might not have thought that back on Thanksgiving weekend, however. Back on November 26, both teams were coming off non-conference losses. Colgate was 4-4, and Army was 2-5 after dropping four straight. But now, this has the feel of a potential Patriot League Tournament semi-final or finals preview, as these are two of the more improved NCAA basketball teams over the last month.
This battle will feature two of the top five scorers in the conference in Army’s Jalen Rucker and Colgate’s Tucker Richardson, and fortunately for those watching, the college basketball injury report does not feature any of these program’s key players. Rucker and Tucker (something you’ll be sure to hear during the broadcast) also lead their respective schools in assists and steals.
These are the top two scoring teams in the Patriot League as well, with Army averaging 76.3 ppg and Colgate leading the way as the only school averaging more than 80 in the conference with 80.9 per contest.
Army appears to be superior on the defensive end of the floor, allowing the fifth-fewest points per game, and they grab the second-most rebounds per game in the conference.
Making NCAAB picks can be tricky, but this one is worth the risk so continue reading for our Colgate vs Army Black Knights prediction.
Odds Breakdown
Colgate Raiders
The NCAAB odds show Colgate as a 6.5-point favorite on Monday night, with the Raiders checking in at -360 on the moneyline. The over/under is a healthy 151.5.
Army Black Knights
The Army Black Knights odds install them as a +295 underdog, despite the four-game win streak, all of which have come by double digits. The total comes with a -110 vig.
Colgate Raiders vs. Army Black Knights Betting Pick and Prediction
The odds to win March Madness for either of these teams are high. But we’re looking at two potential teams that could legitimately represent the Patriot League in the NCAA Tournament in two months.
At first blush, this number seems high, considering the Black Knights’ early-season success in the conference. Also, consider they are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
However, Colgate is 4-1 ATS in their last five road games and 7-3 ATS in their last ten games played on a Monday. They have four players who average double-figures, and that could overwhelm Army despite being on their home floor.
Below is our final Colgate vs Army Black Knights prediction:
- Colgate -6.5
- OVER 151.5
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