Oklahoma Sooners vs Colorado Buffaloes Picks and Predictions for Wednesday April 1 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 04/01/2026, 12:00 AM ET

The Oklahoma Sooners and Colorado Buffaloes meet in the College Basketball Crown Quarterfinal at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 PM ET on FS1. Oklahoma enters this matchup as a notable favorite with a spread of -9.5 and a moneyline of -395, while Colorado comes back as the underdog at +310. The total for this game is set at 165.5. This neutral-site tournament clash features two teams looking to extend their postseason runs, and bettors can also check out our free college basketball picks by visiting free college basketball picks for more insights.

Oklahoma’s Tournament Push Continues

Oklahoma enters this quarterfinal matchup with a 19-15 overall record and a 9-12 mark in SEC play, showing flashes of strong play down the stretch of the season. In the SEC Tournament, the Sooners advanced to the quarterfinals before recently losing to Arkansas in a competitive 82-79 contest. Prior to that setback, Oklahoma showed solid form with wins over Texas A&M, South Carolina, Texas in overtime, and Missouri, demonstrating their ability to string together victories against quality competition. Their recent stretch suggests a team capable of pushing the tempo and generating offense, even against strong opponents.

From a statistical standpoint, Oklahoma has been one of the more efficient offensive teams in this matchup, averaging 82.7 points per game while allowing 77.1 points defensively. They shoot 47% from the field and pull down 35.8 rebounds per contest while dishing out 14.3 assists per game. Defensively, they contribute with 3.8 blocks and 6.3 steals per game, showing a balanced approach on both ends of the floor. Their ability to maintain efficiency while playing at a faster pace has been a key factor in their success throughout the season.

In their most recent tournament game against Arkansas, Oklahoma saw Nijel Pack lead the way with 19 points, while Xzayvier Brown controlled the glass with 7 rebounds. That performance highlights Oklahoma’s reliance on perimeter scoring combined with steady rebounding contributions. Despite the loss, the Sooners shot 45% from the field and 85% from the free throw line, indicating strong shooting efficiency. Heading into this matchup, their ability to maintain that offensive rhythm on a short turnaround could be a major advantage.

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Colorado Looking to Regroup

Colorado enters this contest with a 17-15 overall record and a 7-12 mark in Big 12 play. Their conference tournament run ended in the first round of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament, where they recently lost to Oklahoma State 92-83. Leading up to that game, Colorado had mixed results, recently losing to Oklahoma State and Arizona while picking up wins over Utah and Kansas State. Their inconsistency has been a challenge, particularly against stronger competition, but they have shown the ability to score in bunches.

The Buffaloes average 80.0 points per game while allowing 79.4, indicating a team that plays in high-scoring contests but struggles defensively at times. They shoot 47% from the field, matching Oklahoma’s efficiency, while averaging 34.3 rebounds and 15.7 assists per game. Defensively, they contribute 3.4 blocks and 6.3 steals per contest. While their offensive production is solid, their defensive numbers suggest vulnerabilities, particularly against teams that can push pace and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

In their last game against Oklahoma State, Bangot Dak led Colorado with 22 points and also grabbed 8 rebounds, showcasing his impact on both ends of the floor. However, the Buffaloes struggled at the free throw line, shooting just 56%, which proved costly in a nine-point loss. Despite shooting 47% from the field and hitting 10 three-pointers, Colorado was outrebounded 44-34, highlighting a key weakness that could be exploited again in this matchup. Their ability to correct those issues, particularly on the glass and at the free throw line, will be critical in this quarterfinal.

Oklahoma Sooners vs Colorado Buffaloes Pick

Oklahoma Sooners vs Colorado Buffaloes Spread Pick

  • Pick: Oklahoma Sooners -9.5

Oklahoma comes into this game with stronger recent form and a more consistent offensive profile, which gives them a clear edge in this matchup. They have demonstrated the ability to score efficiently while maintaining solid defensive pressure, and their recent wins against quality opponents show they can handle tournament-level intensity. Colorado, on the other hand, has struggled with defensive consistency and rebounding, which could be a major issue against a team like Oklahoma that can exploit second-chance opportunities. With Oklahoma’s offensive efficiency and Colorado’s defensive lapses, I see the Sooners controlling this game and covering the spread.

Oklahoma Sooners vs Colorado Buffaloes Total Pick

  • Pick: Over 165.5

I like the over in this matchup because both teams play at a pace that leads to high-scoring games, and their season averages support that expectation. Oklahoma averages over 82 points per game while Colorado puts up 80, and both teams have defensive numbers that allow opponents to stay competitive offensively. In a neutral-site tournament setting, I expect both teams to lean into their offensive strengths, especially with Oklahoma’s shooting efficiency and Colorado’s ability to score despite defensive struggles. Given these factors, I see this game turning into an up-and-down contest that pushes the total over.

Final Score Prediction: Oklahoma Sooners 88, Colorado Buffaloes 78

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