The 11-seed Rutgers Scarlet Knights (15-11) meet the 7-seed Clemson Tigers (16-7) in the first round of the Midwest Regional Friday at 9:20 p.m. ET at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Below, we analyze the Rutgers-Clemson odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.
Clemson was upset 67-64 as an 8-point favorite by Miami last Wednesday in the second round of the ACC Tournament. It was the Tigers’ second loss in their last three games following a five-game win streak; they’re 4-4 against the spread over their last eight games.
The Scarlet Knights drubbed Indiana 61-50 in the second round of the Big 10 Tournament only to get shellacked by eventual conference champion No. 2 Illinois 90-68 in the quarterfinals.
Rutgers started the season with a six-game win streak that was punctuated by a 91-88 upset of then-No. 13 Illinois. It finished the regular season 3-4 straight up and 4-3 ATS in the final seven games.
This is only the second NCAA Tournament appearance for Clemson in the last 10 seasons while Rutgers hasn’t been to the Big Dance since 1991.
Clemson vs. Rutgers: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9:15 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Rutgers -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Clemson +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rutgers -1.5 (-110) | Clemson +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 125.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Clemson vs. Rutgers: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Clemson 65, Rutgers 60
Money line (ML)
Neither team gets to the charity stripe a lot, but Clemson is 31st in free-throw percentage and Rutgers is 336th so I have questions on whether or not the Scarlet Knights can close out a tight game.
Furthermore, according to Ken Pom, Clemson is 20th in adjusted defensive efficiency, and Rutgers is 289th in 3-point percentage and 284th in 3-point attempt rate.
The Scarlet Knights not being able to space the floor and being unwilling to attack the basket because of poor free-throw shooting should make the job easier for the Clemson defense.
TAKE CLEMSON (+105) for 1.25 units.
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Against the spread (ATS)
PASS unless it gets up to Clemson +2 or higher because I’d rather just take the Tigers to win outright at plus-money than get only a point of insurance.
Over/Under (O/U)
Rutgers-Clemson figures to be a “rock fight” between two slow-paced teams that play better defense than offense.
That is accounted for in BetMGM‘s projected total for this game and I’m hesitant to follow a crowd of bettors that have steamed this number down from a 128-point opener.
I lean Under 125.5 (-105) but ultimately have to PASS because of the line movement.
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