The lights of Boulder are on and the Ralphie is ready to run — but it’s the visiting Montana State Bobcats who’ll look to play spoiler as they open their 2025–26 campaign against the Colorado Buffaloes on Monday night.
The Buffs, coming off a 14–21 season, are looking to reestablish their home dominance and defensive identity. Meanwhile, the Bobcats enter off a 15–18 campaign but bring enough speed and experience to make this a sneaky-competitive opener.
Colorado will have the talent edge — size, pace, and Power-6 depth — but the question is consistency. Can the Buffaloes turn that into a cover against a Montana State squad that thrives on turnover creation and efficient ball movement?
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📺 Where to Watch Colorado Buffaloes vs. Montana State? (Nov 3, 2025)
| Detail | Information |
| Date | Monday, November 3, 2025 |
| Tip-Off (Local) | 7:00 PM MT |
| Venue | CU Events Center – Boulder, CO |
| Broadcast | ESPN+ |
| Capacity | 11,064 |
💸 Betting Odds
| Market | Line | Odds |
| Spread | Colorado -12.5 | -110 |
| Moneyline | Colorado -1064 / Montana State +674 | — |
| Total (O/U) | 144.5 | O -110 / U -110 |
Implied Score: Colorado 79, Montana State 66
📊 Team Breakdown
🦬 Colorado Buffaloes
2024–25 Record: 14–21 (6–12 Pac-12)
Head Coach: Tad Boyle (16th Season)
Colorado endured a difficult 2024–25 season, but Tad Boyle returns several experienced pieces in hopes of flipping the script. The Buffs averaged 69.7 PPG while allowing 71.9, but their home record (11–7) showed that Boulder still provides an edge.
Expect Boyle’s group to focus on better shot selection and frontcourt dominance, especially after ranking 189th nationally in FG% (44.4) last year.
🔍 Key Returners
| Player | Pos | 2024–25 Stats | Role |
| Elijah Malone (F) | Sr | 12.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 56% FG | Team’s interior anchor and emotional leader |
| Sebastian Rancik (F) | Jr | 9.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 36% 3PT | Stretch-four potential; key spacing piece |
| KJ Simpson (G) | Sr | 13.1 PPG, 3.5 APG | Veteran guard who dictates tempo and shot creation |
Colorado’s offense was inconsistent last year, but its defense was quietly respectable — ranking top-150 in opponent FG% and rebounding margin. The key lies in cutting turnovers (14.4 per game) and sustaining energy for both halves.
🧮 Efficiency Snapshot (2024–25)
| Category | Stat | National Rank |
| PPG | 69.7 | 276th |
| Opp. PPG | 71.9 | 177th |
| FG% | 44.4% | 189th |
| 3PT% | 34.1% | 192nd |
| FT% | 75.0% | 86th |
| Rebounds | 35.1 | 102nd |
At home, Colorado typically plays faster and defends better — holding visitors under 43% shooting on the season.
🐾 Montana State Bobcats
2024–25 Record: 15–18 (9–9 Big Sky)
Head Coach: Matt Logie (2nd Season)
Montana State’s 2024–25 campaign was a mixed bag — flashes of offensive firepower offset by inconsistency on the road (3–14 away from Bozeman). They finished 251st nationally in scoring (71.3 PPG) but held opponents under 70 points in 13 contests.
They’re a perimeter-driven team that thrives on secondary breaks, converting turnovers into fast points — 13.2 points off turnovers per game — but they’ll face a much taller and more athletic Colorado frontcourt.
🔍 Key Players
| Player | Pos | 2024–25 Stats | Role |
| Bryce Zephir (G) | Jr | 8.2 PPG, 38% 3PT | Sharpshooter; scored 11 pts in final 2025 game |
| Robert Ford III (G) | Sr | 12.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG | Emotional leader; two-way presence |
| Jaden Glover (F) | Jr | 9.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG | Athletic finisher who thrives in transition |
Montana State shot 45.5% from the floor and 34% from three, which will test Colorado’s perimeter close-outs. Their biggest weakness remains rebounding — opponents grabbed 35.3 per game — and scoring droughts that stretch multiple minutes.
🧮 Efficiency Snapshot (2024–25)
| Category | Stat | National Rank |
| PPG | 71.3 | 251st |
| Opp. PPG | 69.6 | 97th |
| FG% | 45.5% | 131st |
| 3PT% | 34.0% | 183rd |
| FT% | 72.5% | 154th |
| Rebounds | 31.3 | 243rd |
For the Bobcats to stay within the number, they’ll need to force tempo, keep turnovers under 10, and shoot north of 37% from three.
📈 Betting Insights & Trends
| Trend | Stat |
| Colorado is 5–1 SU in its last six home openers. | |
| Montana State is 1–7 ATS in its last eight road games. | |
| The Under has hit in six of Colorado’s last eight November games. | |
| Bobcats have failed to cover in five straight vs Power-5 opponents. | |
| Colorado allowed under 70 points in 7 of its last 10 home games. |
🎯 Prop Bets & Analytical Picks
| Prop | Pick | Odds |
| First Half Spread | Colorado -6.5 | -110 |
| Total Team Points (Colorado) | Over 77.5 | -115 |
| Total Team Points (Montana State) | Under 67.5 | -110 |
| First to 10 Points | Colorado | -175 |
| Winning Margin | Colorado by 11–20 | +230 |
Advanced Angle:
Colorado’s defensive rebounding (33.2 per game) vs. Montana State’s offensive rebounding (7.2) presents a major mismatch. Expect one-and-done possessions for the Bobcats early.
🧩 Same Game Parlay (SGP)
| Leg | Selection | Odds |
| Colorado -12.5 | ✅ | -110 |
| Under 144.5 Total Points | ✅ | -110 |
| Colorado First Half -6.5 | ✅ | -110 |
| Elijah Malone 15+ Points | ✅ | +110 |
| Combined Odds: | +525 |
🧠 Game Analysis
This one comes down to control — can Montana State push pace and create chaos, or will Colorado’s size and half-court defense dictate tempo?
Expect the Buffaloes to emphasize interior play through Elijah Malone, who finished last season shooting 70% from the floor in his final outing against Villanova. With Sebastian Rancik stretching the defense and KJ Simpson orchestrating drives and kick-outs, Colorado should find a scoring rhythm by the second media timeout.
Montana State can hang early if their outside shooting catches fire — Zephir and Ford will get green lights from deep — but their lack of depth and size makes sustaining it difficult.
By the second half, the Buffs’ athleticism and home advantage should wear the Bobcats down. Expect a low-scoring first half, a stronger Colorado close, and a comfortable but not overwhelming win.
🔮 Final ClutchBuzz Colorado Buffaloes vs. Montana State Prediction
Prediction: Colorado 78 – Montana State 63
Best Bet: Colorado -12.5
Lean: Under 144.5
Bonus Prop: Winning Margin 11–20 (+230)
