[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The No. 11 seed New Mexico Lobos (26-9) face off against the 6th-seeded Clemson Tigers (21-11) Friday in a 1st-round game in the NCAA Tournament. Tip from FedExForum in Memphis is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET (truTV). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the New Mexico vs. Clemson odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
New Mexico went on an improbable 4-game run through the Mountain West Conference Tournament, capped by a 68-61 title-game victory as a 2-point underdog over the No. 25 San Diego State Aztecs with the Under (144) cashing. The Lobos are led in scoring by senior G Jaelen House’s 16.1 points per game, but they also have F JT Toppin, who surprised everyone on his way to being named MWC Co-Freshman of the Year. He nearly averaged a double-double this season at 12.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. New Mexico is 23-11 against the spread (ATS) for the season, including 4-0 ATS in MWC Tourney.
The Tigers suffered a disappointing 2nd-round exit from the ACC Tournament, losing to the Boston College Eagles 76-55. They lost as 7.5-point favorites and the Under (145.5) cashed. Despite the early exit in the ACC Tourney, this team has an impressive resume of 6 victories over NCAA Tournament teams. Clemson is 17-14-1 ATS, including 3-3-1 ATS in their last 7 regular-season games.
– Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Can you survive? USA TODAY Sports’ Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament Survivor Pools are here with a $2,500 prize for each contest! Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!
New Mexico vs. Clemson odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): New Mexico -137 (bet $137 to win $100) | Clemson +114 (bet $100 to win $114)
- Against the spread: New Mexico -2.5 (-106) | Clemson +2.5 (-114)
- Over/Under (O/U): 151.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
New Mexico vs. Clemson picks and predictions
Prediction
New Mexico 77, Clemson 72
Moneyline
PASS.
We’ve got an odds play, but I’m going to stay away from the moneyline and look to the spread for this bet. We’ll be giving less than 3 points with New Mexico and we’ll be getting less juice. When we’ve got a line that big, it’s basically the same as taking the moneyline, so I’ll take the better odds.
Against the spread
BET NEW MEXICO -2.5 (-106).
I love this New Mexico squad, which enters on a 6-0 ATS run. The Lobos bring a lot to the court and the Tigers will struggle to stop their offensive attack. Four players for New Mexico average over 10 points per game, led by House’s 16.1.
The committee disrespected the MWC, under-seeding some of its teams in the Big Dance, including the Lobos. We saw what Colorado State did to Virginia in the First Four Tuesday, winning 67-42.
Clemson limped to the finish line this season, losing 2 of its last 3 regular-season games and getting waxed in the ACC Tournament.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Over/Under
BET UNDER 151.5 (-110).
The trends are too hard to ignore heading into this matchup. The Under is 5-1 in the Lobos’ last 6 games, while the Tigers are 3-7 O/U in their last 10.
I typically like to bet the Under in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament. Teams are playing in venues they’re not accustomed to, they’ll be going through new routines, and they usually have to face an unknown opponent. There is a feeling-out process early in the game before everyone gets into a flow. This is too high number for a 1st-round tilt.
[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]