Preview: Saint Joseph’s Hawks at Colorado State Rams

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Interstat) — Two teams on the NCAA tournament bubble will look to bolster their resumes Wednesday night when the Saint Joseph’s Hawks visit the Colorado State Rams at Moby Arena.

The game, scheduled for March 18, 2026, features teams with nearly identical records. Saint Joseph’s (22-11) enters after a 77-64 loss at VCU on Saturday, snapping a seven-game winning streak. Colorado State (21-12) looks to rebound from a 71-62 defeat at San Diego State last Thursday.

The Rams have been installed as a 5.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 143 points.

The matchup will feature a contrast in recent momentum. The Hawks had been one of the Atlantic 10’s hottest teams before the VCU setback, winning 10 of their previous 11 games. The Rams, meanwhile, have split their last six contests but boast a strong home-court advantage in Fort Collins.

A key individual battle will be between standout guards. Saint Joseph’s will rely on Austin Williford, who scored 17 points in 34 minutes against VCU and has been a consistent scorer during the Hawks’ late-season surge. For Colorado State, Jase Butler has been a dynamic offensive force, including a 25-point performance in a win over San Diego State last month and a 20-point outing against Fresno State on March 11.

In their most recent outings, Saint Joseph’s saw contributions beyond Williford, with Justice Ajogbor adding 11 points and Jaiden Glover scoring 14 against VCU. Colorado State’s loss to San Diego State was highlighted by 16 points from Brandon Rechsteiner to complement Butler’s 14.

The game carries significant postseason implications for both squads. A win for either team would provide a quality non-conference victory to present to the selection committee, potentially tipping the scale toward an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

Saint Joseph’s will aim to control the tempo and replicate its efficient play from its recent winning streak, while Colorado State will look to leverage its home crowd and perimeter scoring to cover the spread and secure a pivotal victory.