Colorado vs West Virginia Picks and Prediction – 3/12/2025

The Colorado Buffaloes (13-19) take on the West Virginia Mountaineers (19-12) in the second round of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship. Colorado is coming off a close 69-67 win over TCU, marking the Horned Frogs’ second straight victory. West Virginia also enters on a two-game winning streak, including a dominant 76-56 win over TCU in the last outing. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Colorado has struggled for most of the season, finishing near the bottom of the Big 12 standings. The Buffaloes rely heavily on Julian Hammond III, who leads the team with 12.6 points and 3.1 assists per game. His accuracy at the free throw line (90.9%) is a bright spot, but the team as a whole has lacked consistency on offense. Colorado averages 70.1 points per game on 44.8% shooting.

Defensively, Colorado has had major issues, giving up 71.8 points per game. The Buffaloes allow opponents too many second-chance opportunities, ranking behind West Virginia in rebounding at 35.3 per game. Forward Taison Baskin leads the team with just 4.9 rebounds per game, which underscores its struggles inside. Block leader Birkir Dak (1.4 per game) provides some rim protection.

West Virginia has had a much stronger season and comes in with confidence. Guard Javon Small has been the best player, leading the team with 18.5 points, 5.6 assists, and solid shooting splits. The Mountaineers have struggled offensively at times, averaging just 68.4 points per game on 42.5% shooting, but the balanced attack has been enough to secure wins against tough competition.

The Mountaineers’ defense is the biggest advantage in this matchup. They allow only 64.7 points per game and force plenty of turnovers, led by Seth Harris with 1.6 steals per game. West Virginia also holds a slight edge in blocks with 4.2 per game, anchored by center Efton Andre. Rebounding has been an area of improvement, as forward Amani Hansberry leads the team with 6.5 boards per game. 

West Virginia is the better defensive team, allowing nearly seven fewer points per game than Colorado. The Mountaineers have a significant edge in rebounding and defensive pressure, which should limit the Buffaloes’ offensive production. Javon Small gives West Virginia the best player on the court, and his scoring and playmaking will be the difference. Expect the Mountaineers to control the tempo and wear down Colorado. Final Score Prediction: West Virginia wins and covers 73-65.