Check out our Clemson vs SMU prediction in the third round of the Men's ACC basketball tournament tipping off on Thursday, March 13. This game will be played at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC.
In the regular season meeting on Feb. 22, Clemson beat SMU 79-69 as a one-point underdog. SMU is seeded No. 6 in the ACC and Clemson No. 2 in the ACC.
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A win here could get them off the bubble
The SMU Mustangs helped their status in the NCAA Tournament bubble by dominating Syracuse 73-53 in the second round.
SMU is rated 45th by BartTorvik, ranked 28th on offense, and 80th on defense. The team has been balanced with six double-digit scorers. Boopie Miller leads the team, averaging 13.4 points and 5.7 assists per game, followed by Chuck Harris who has hit 43.4% of his three-pointers and averages 12.9 ppg. Senior forward Matt Cross has been strong on the boards, pulling down 7.8 rebounds per game while contributing 11.9 points per game. Kario Ouqendo (10.9 ppg), B.J. Edwards (10.1 ppg, 2.3 spg), and Samet Yigitoglu (10.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg) a 7'2 freshman from Turkey have all been key contributors as well.
SMU is 4th in conference games averaging 77.4 ppg, 3rd shooting 47.8% from the floor, and 2nd shooting 37.7% from three. On defense, the Mustangs allow 72.3 ppg which is 7th in the ACC.
They can play with anybody
Clemson has won eight straight games and grabbed the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament. With +6,500 odds to win the national championship and +650 odds to win the ACC Tournament, the Tigers are a strong sleeper.
Clemson is 20-11 against the spread this season overall and tied for a conference-best 15-5 ATS in the ACC. The Tigers are led by four seniors, starting with Chase Hunter (16 ppg), who shoots 88% from the free-throw line and 41.2% from deep. Ian Schieffelin is second on the team, averaging 12.9 points and leading with 9.3 rebounds. Viktor Lakhin (11.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Jaeden Zackery (11.3 ppg, 2.0 spg) are also having strong seasons.
Clemson is ranked 19th according to KenPom, sitting 18th in offensive rating and 23rd in defensive rating. Joe Lunardi currently projects the Tigers as a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament if the season ended today, but I believe their ceiling is much higher if they continue playing at this level.
Best Bets for SMU vs. Clemson
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
I'm still don't believe the oddsmakers and most college basketball followers realize how good this Clemson team is. The Tigers are the best ATS team in ACC games and are loaded with veteran talent. SMU has struggled this season when they've stepped up in competition and as a result are just 1-5 ATS as an underdog. The Tigers are too strong on both sides of the ball and will get the dominant cover here.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Clemson boasts the second-best scoring defense in the ACC, holding opponents to just 64.5 points per game in conference play, while SMU allows 72.3 points per game.
Clemson has a lot at stake as they aim to improve their seeding, and SMU faces the possibility of heading to the NIT with a loss. Expect possessions to be crucial in the closing moments, with the under likely hitting.
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