- Analysis
- Arizona have not played a team like Clemson this season and they have not really been challenged. Clemson has size and physicality and were able to stop teams like Baylor and shut down New Mexico, beat UNC in Chapel Hill, lost to both Duke and NC State, who are in this tournament, by only 1 point. The ACC have been a strong tournament conference this season. Clemson can hang with Arizona's offense as they are ranked 24th. The Tigers are a veteran team who have gone 8-1 ATS this season as the underdog, and 3-0 ATS on a neutral court as the underdog. Clemson also played the tougher strength of schedule this season so they are battle tested. Clemson should be able to control the tempo in this game and limit some trips by the Wildcats to empty runs with their solid defense. The Tigers are an elite, physical defense too, who held six out of seven opponents to 64 points or less. In those games they out shot opponents at the 3 point line, 35.3% to 25%, and from the field shot 48.9% to 38.9% from their opponents. They are better at rebounding and turnovers and very good at defending the 3, something that the Wildcats rely on. Clemson have also been good at the charity stripe this season too. Arizona, despite beating Dayton in the end and pulling away, struggled in that game and where lucky to pull away. Clemson can stop Arizona from running away with the game as they are more disciplined. Arizona has been that team that was not consistent this season, playing up and down all season and losing to teams like Oregon, USC, and to Washington State twice, Purdue, Stanford and FAU. This game will be a challenging game for Arizona who may win the game, but Clemson will keep it close as both are good at offense but Clemson has experience.
Clemson are 2-0 ATS when seeded 5 to 8 in the NCAA tournament. Clemson are 1-0 ATS since 1997 in the "sweet 16" round of the NCAA tournament. Arizona are 1-4 ATS in the last few seasons when seeded 4 or higher in the NCAA tournament and are 16-23 ATS since 1997. Arizona are 0-1 ATS in the last few seasons in the "sweet 16" round of the NCAA tournament and 4-8 ATS since 1997. Clemson are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing as the underdog.
Best bet: take the points with Clemson.
