4. (7) Clemson vs (10) Rutgers
Point Total: 125.5
Pick: Under
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
Under … on 125.5?! Yeeeech.
If you’re going to do this, go lightly – no one likes people who take the unders – but …
These two teams don’t score a ton, they should play a relatively slow-and-go game, and let’s just say Rutgers doesn’t appear to be 1000% focused, with guard Geo Baker helping to lead a movement for players’ rights with #NotNCAAProperty. (OF COURSE the players should be in control of their names, images, and likenesses, but that’s for another day.)
Both teams would love to play this thing in the 60s. They both have tough defenses, deliberate offenses, and they’re both great at controlling the tempo and flow. It’s not that they can’t score; it’s that it’s just not their style to make this crazy.
Rutgers scored 17 points or fewer in 15 of their 26 games, and Clemson was under 70 points in 16 of its 23 games. More importantly, Clemson allowed fewer than 70 in 16 of the 23 and under 60 points in nine of those. Rutgers allowed 70 or fewer in 14 of is 26 games, and 60 or fewer in seven.
Throw in that the intensity of the NCAA Tournament should make these teams even stronger in their possession concerns, and expect this to be played in the 50s instead of the 70s.