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The Clemson Tigers (24-11) and Alabama Crimson Tide (24-11) meet in the West Region final Saturday in Los Angeles. The opening tip-off at Crypto.com Arena is slated for 8:49 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Clemson vs. Alabama odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Clemson was an 8 1/2-point underdog Thursday against No. 2-seed Arizona, but the 6th-seeded Tigers prevailed, holding the Wildcats to a 37.3% mark from the floor and winning 77-72. Winner of 3 straight games as an underdog, CU now turns its attention to the Crimson Tide, a team it beat 85-77 back on Nov. 28.
Alabama, ranked No. 18 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, is the 4-seed in the West. On Thursday, the Crimson Tide defeated No. 1-seed North Carolina 89-87 (beating the spread as a +4.5). UA held the Tar Heels to a 38.5% mark from the field and in the Tournament has held opposing shooters to a 37.7% mark.
Clemson vs. Alabama odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Clemson +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Alabama -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Clemson +3.5 (-110) | Alabama -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 163.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Clemson vs. Alabama picks and predictions
Prediction
Alabama 81, Clemson 80
Moneyline
PASS: look for more value in a play against the number.
Against the spread
Clemson has played 10 games as an underdog; it has gone 9-1 ATS in those games.
UA is averaging an NCAA-I-best 90.7 points per game, Clemson is 13-3 ATS when facing teams averaging 77-or-more points. This game offers up a pace contrast with the Tigers playing at a slower-than-average tempo and the Tide playing one the fastest in the game. But against the fastest 4 ACC squads (Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina, Syracuse), CU went 5-2 ATS during the regular season. In the Tournament, the Tigers have logged ATS victories against fast New Mexico and Arizona.
And during the season, when Clemson topped Alabama Nov. 28, that was an ATS win for the Tigers.
Clemson likes to get the ball inside, and the Alabama interior defense is not a strength. Still, UA figures to leverage systemic advantages in rebounding and in getting to the foul line. But a Tide edge in 3-point shooting (UA launches a ton of 3s and makes them at a top-25 rate) is softened by a Clemson surge in perimeter defense. The Tigers have held opponents to a 28.3% mark on 3s since Feb. 21.
Some air has been taken out of this play by a Friday line move: consider a partial-unit play on CLEMSON +3.5 (-110).
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Over/Under
In 7 Clemson neutral-site games this season, the Under has gone 6-1.
These are 2 veteran teams who will leave everything on the court at the defensive end in this one. CU’s defensive rebounding and perimeter defense should take the starch out of a couple point-spiral factors for Alabama.
In the aforementioned Clemson games against fast ACC foes, Alabama, New Mexico, and Arizona, the Under went 7-3.
TAKE THE UNDER 163.5 (-105).
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