Colgate vs. Texas picks, predictions: Who wins NCAA Tournament first-round game?

jeremy cluff, arizona republic

Thu, Mar 16, 2023, 10:48 AM·4 min read

No. 15 seed Colgate and No. 2 seed Texas face off on Thursday in an NCAA Tournament first-round game.

The game is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. MST and can be seen on TBS.

Who will win the game?

Check out these picks and predictions for the contest.

Texas is a 13.5-point favorite in the game, according to Tipico Sportsbook.

FanDuel: Texas 78, Colgate 68

Larry Rupp writes: "This is the best Longhorns team in years, but that doesn't change the fact that Texas has not won a first-round game by more than 13 points since 2008 (10 games). Colgate has a chance to keep this game within reach considering it ranks first in the country in three-point shooting percentage (40.9%)."

First Four NCAA Tournament picks: SE Missouri State vs. Texas A&M-CC | Pittsburgh vs. Mississippi State | Nevada vs. Arizona State | Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Texas Southern
Thursday's NCAA Tournament game picks: West Virginia vs. Maryland | Furman vs. Virginia | Utah State vs. Missouri | Howard vs. Kansas | Charleston vs. San Diego State | Princeton vs. Arizona | Illinois vs. Arkansas | Auburn vs. Iowa | Oral Roberts vs. Duke | Colgate vs. Texas | Boise State vs. Northwestern | No. Kentucky vs. Houston | Louisiana vs. Tennessee | Penn State vs. Texas A&M | UNC Asheville vs. UCLA
Friday's NCAA Tournament game picks: USC vs. Michigan State | Kennesaw State vs. Xavier | UC Santa Barbara vs. Baylor | VCU vs. Saint Mary's | Vermont vs. Marquette | North Carolina State vs. Creighton | Iona vs. UConn | Providence vs. Kentucky | Drake vs. Miami | Grand Canyon vs. Gonzaga | Florida Atlantic vs. Memphis | Montana State vs. Kansas State | Kent State vs. Indiana

Sports Chat Place: Take Colgate with the points vs. Texas

Randy Chambers writes: "I might take a stab on Colgate here. The Raiders didn’t have a ton of trouble in the Patriot League Tournament, scoring 79 or more points in all three games and 91 or more in two of them. Colgate has now hit 73 or more points in eight of their last nine outings. As for Texas, they handled a good Kansas team well in their last outing, shooting 50 percent from the field with a 37-31 rebounding advantage. Texas has scored well lately themselves with 72 or more points in six of their last eight games. That said, if Colgate can find a good offensive rhythm early I think the Raiders can keep a relative pace."

NCAA Tournament schedule, TV: March Madness game times, channels, announcers, how to watch

Sportsbook Wire: Texas 80, Colgate 67

It writes: "Texas has put together a 17-17-0 ATS record so far this year. Colgate has compiled a 17-16-0 ATS record so far this year."

NCAA Tournament odds: 2023 March Madness point spreads, money lines, over/unders for games

Can Colgate upset Texas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament?

Fansided: Go with Texas to cover against Colgate

Reed Wallach writes: "Colgate is 254th in effective field goal percentage allowed and are facing one of the most potent offenses in the country, Texas is top 20 in adjusted offensive efficiency. This is a massive mismatch and I think the Longhorns name their number here and roll to a blowout win."

March Madness odds: Houston, Kansas, Alabama, Purdue 2023 men's NCAA Tournament favorites

World Sports Network: Texas will cover against Colgate

Caleb Tallman writes: "KenPom has the Longhorns' offensive efficiency as the 18th-best in college basketball and their defensive efficiency as the 11th-best. Texas doesn’t have anyone bigger than 6-foot-9, but they’re physical inside. Playing in the Big 12 is going to pay off big time for the Longhorns, and they’ll be ready for this game. Texas has its own experience, with both Carr and Rice having played five college seasons a piece, and that will be good enough to cover the spread and get past Colgate."