[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The 6th-seeded Clemson Tigers (22-11) face the 3rd-seeded Baylor Bears (24-10) Sunday in a 2nd-round game in the NCAA Tournament. Tip from FedExForum in Memphis is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Clemson vs. Baylor odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Clemson beat 11-seed New Mexico 77-56 on Friday as a 2-point underdog in the 1st round, as the Under (153) cashed. F Ian Schieffelin gave the Tigers a double-double (16 points and 12 rebounds) and G Chase Hunter pumped in 21 points. Clemson looks to go to the Sweet 16 for the 1st time since 2018.
The 3rd-seeded Bears didn’t break a sweat in their 92-67 win over the 14th-seeded Colgate Raiders. They covered the 14.5-point spread as favorites as the Over (137.5) cashed. Four Bears scored in double figures led by F Jalen Bridges‘s 23 points. Baylor dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Raiders 33-24. Baylor was last in the Sweet 16 in 2020.
Baylor is No. 13 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Clemson vs. Baylor odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:02 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Clemson +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Baylor -188 (bet $188 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Clemson +4.5 (-114) | Baylor -4.5 (-106)
- Over/Under (O/U): 144.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Clemson vs. Baylor picks and predictions
Prediction
Baylor 78, Clemson 70
Moneyline
PASS.
I was impressed by Clemson’s victory over New Mexico on Friday night. They left no doubt who was the better team on the court, but as good as they looked, the Bears looked just as good if not better in their win over Colgate.
I like Baylor to win this game comfortably, but I’m going to reserve my bet for the spread instead of the moneyline because I’d have to wager almost 2 units to win 1. I would consider putting Baylor into a moneyline parlay though.
Against the spread
BET BAYLOR -4.5 (-106).
I love what the Bears bring to the floor, a lot of tough, talented athletes who go hard for 40 minutes. They also have a coach (Scott Drew) who has been to the mountain top and knows how to win on the biggest stages. They will force Clemson to play Baylor basketball, which does not fit their style. The Tigers will be put into uncomfortable situations which will cause unenforced errors.
Baylor has covered the spread in 2 of its last 3 while the Tigers have failed to in 2 of their last 3.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Over/Under
PASS.
I hate to not give you a pick, but I just don’t see an edge either way with this game. If I had a lean, it would be the Over because Baylor likes to play up-tempo and run the floor and Clemson’s defense has not been as good as in years past. I’m going to keep my focus on the spread in this game.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @DrewPhelps05 on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
College Sports Wire: Men’s hoops / Women’s hoops / High School
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]