The No. 7 Texas Longhorns will take on the No. 10 Colorado State Rams in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Below we’ll preview both teams, including analysis and key stats while also providing our prediction.
Texas was at the mercy of the selection committee and were crossing their longhorns for an at-large bid. They were rewarded with a spot and take their up-tempo efficient offense to the Big Dance. This marks four years in a row that Texas has made the tournament and look to at least reach the Elite Eight again as they did last year. Guard Max Abmas averages 17.1 points and 4.3 assists per game and complements forward Dylan Disu (15.8 points, 5.0 rebounds per game) well creating a tough dynamic duo for opponents.
NET: 30
KenPom Overall: 28
KenPom O: 18
KenPom D: 60
Record: 20-12
Strength of Schedule: 31
Conference: Big 12
Conference Record: 9-9
Quad 1 Record: 5-9
Colorado State is back in the Big Dance for the first time in two seasons and made it out of a tough Mountain West Conference. Offensive, the Rams are an extremely unselfish team as they had the second-highest assist rate in the country at 65.6%. On defense, they stymied opponents by forcing them into an average possession length of 18.9 seconds, the third highest length in the country.
NET: 36
KenPom Overall: 38
KenPom O: 42
KenPom D: 38
Record: 24-10
Strength of Schedule: 65
Conference: Mountain West
Conference Record: 10-8
Quad 1 Record: 6-7
Pick: Colorado State
The Rams are a very good team and are plenty tested with wins over Creighton, Colorado and Washington this season. Colorado State has also knocked off last year’s runner-up San Diego State in Mountain West play. The Rams move the ball well and are led by seniors Joel Scott, Nique Clifford and Isaiah Stevens. I think this is a spot where the tune-up game vs. UVA helps and the Rams just out-basketball the Longhorns.
