2024 March Madness Odds: Sweet 16 Alabama vs. North Carolina Pick

Previous Betting News

The second-seeded Wildcats of Arizona (28-6) champions of the Pac-12 while tangling with 15th-seeded Princeton (21-8), victors of the Ivy League in opening round action of the 2023 NCAA Tournament in a South Regional contest that will tip at 4:10 ET. The game will take place at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, with the winner advancing to take on the winner of the Missouri/Utah State contest.

Tigers and Wildcats Faceoff in Tourney Opener

We will now preview each of the two teams, and then we’ll give you our betting predictions for this Round of 64 contest. Keep reading for college basketball odds, analysis, and a free pick for Princeton vs. Arizona.

2023 March Madness First Four Game 1
Princeton Tigers vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview

Princeton of Ivy League meets Arizona of Pac-12 in NCAA Tourney First Round
ATS Odds: Arizona -14.5
Over/Under Odds: 154.5 -110
When: Tuesday, March 14 at 6:40 pm ET
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV / Streaming: TNT

A Look at the Teams: Princeton vs. Arizona

Arizona enters the game looking to commence its march to the program’s second national title after cutting down the nets in 1997. The Wildcats have been a model of consistency when it comes to March, advancing to the second weekend seven times since the 2008-2009 season. In addition, since that time, the Cats have been a 1 or 2 seed five times.

Princeton Tigers returns to the tournament for the first time since the 2017 and third time since 2000. Tigers have advanced past the first round twice in the modern era, beating UNLV in 1996 and UCLA in 1998. This is the second NCAA appearance for Princeton headman Mitch Henderson as he led Princeton to the dance in the 2016-17 season.

Inside the Matchup

As we have seen in year’s past, the recipe for an upset come March is slowing the ball down and making key shots at key times. In looking at Princeton’s average time per possession according to KenPom metrics, the Tigers average 18.1 seconds on every offensive set, ranking 241st in the nation.

A couple of other factors: there are very few teams in the PAC-12 that slow it down to the degree Princeton does. The only team that comes to mind is Washington State, who holds it for 19.3 seconds. The Cougars beat Arizona at McKale in early January and then lost to them by five on the Palouse later than month.

The committee did Princeton no favors, not only relegating them out West but making them play in the early window on Thursday making it a short turnaround for the Tigers and giving them little time to acclimate to the time change and conditions.

The one metric which has proven to be key to tournament success is offensive efficiency in KenPom. Eight of the last 10 national champs have ranked inside the top 15. Arizona is fourth in that category with their only true Achilles heel being free throw percentage, they rank 217th nationally. That could come into play late in a game as it relates to a potential backdoor over by Princeton or even an outright shocker.

Princeton vs. Arizona Final Betting Prediction

While it is highly unlikely that Princeton shocks the world and upsets the Wildcats, the markets have this anywhere between 14.5 and in rare instances 15 in favor of Arizona. KenPom has the game 85-72, which makes us think that getting 1.5-2 points more is certainly a good value play.

We lean towards Princeton in this spot just because of their ability to slow it down and the fact that Arizona did have trouble with the only team to play that way, Washington State, during the season. The totals in those Wazzu games were 135 and 121, and the number here in most places is 154.

End of the day, we recommend the under and taking Princeton and the points in this matchup.

March Madness First Four Game 1 Pick: Under and taking Princeton | Bet Princeton vs. Arizona Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?

Bet College Basketball Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Previous Betting News

Odds to win the NCAA Men’s Final Four has changed dramatically since the season’s first week. The preseason favored North Carolina Tar Heels already show 4 losses, which is why UNC is a +2200 underdog choice. Houston, the second choice, is now the 6-to-1 favorite followed by a pair of teams that weren’t ranked in the top ten to start the season, the Arizona Wildcats and the Connecticut Huskies. Check out updated NCAA Basketball Championship Odds along with an odds analysis.

Update Odds to Win the Men’s 2023 College Basketball Championship Title

2023 NCAA Men’s College Basketball Championship

When: Monday, April 3, 2022
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

Updated College Basketball Championship Odds

Which team among the Cougars, Wildcats, and Huskies is the best play?

Houston isn’t a good play. Houston’s odds are too low and the Cougs could struggle to score points in the tournament. But the Wildcats and the Huskies are both great plays to win it all.

Connecticut has a key victory over Alabama. Not only that, but UConn, like Arizona, has the requisite inside/outside game to take the title.

Guards Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson Jr. make for a great backcourt. Forward Adama Sanogo leads the team in points and rebounds per game. 7’2” center Donovan Clingan is third on the team in points each contest. 

Arizona also deserves attention. The Wildcats boast a deep squad that includes two skilled big men in Azoulas Tubelis and Oumar Ballo while Kerr Krissa is one of the best point guards in the nation. 

If you had to choose one, back Zona. The Cats can go inside or outside and the presence of two bigs with supreme skills is a difference maker.

Which team offering odds between +1200 to +1800 deserves the longest look to win it all?

Scott Drew always has his team ready come tournament time. So if we had to choose, Baylor would be the pick. The Bears boast a talented squad that hasn’t gelled quite yet.

By the time March rolls around, Baylor should be one of the top ten teams in the nation. Then when the tournament starts, Drew will have the Bears playing like a Final Four squad. 

What team at odds of +2000 to +2500 is the one to back at this point to win the NCAA March Madness Tournament?

North Carolina struggled early but in recent games, Huber Davis’ team has rolled. Heading into their game versus Michigan on Dec. 21, North Carolina has won 4 straight both ATS and SU. 

The Tar Heels remain one of the few teams with a top big man, Armando Bacot, and a strong backcourt in Caleb Love and RJ Davis. Last season’s runner ups must be taken seriously now that they appear to have straightened out the issues that plagued them earlier in the season. 

What +3000 to +5000 choice can take the championship?

Alabama is the best among the longshots. Forward Brandon Miller averages over 20 points per game. Miller has a sweet stroke, he shoots over 45% from three, so you can’t leave him on an island. 

Guard Mark Sears can flat out take over a game. Forward Noah Clowney leads the team in rebounds and Jahvon Quinerly, who plays less than 20 minutes per game, leads the team in assists, which tells us Bama runs an offense that requires all players to share the rock. 

If you’re looking to put some money behind a dog with a chance, Alabama looks like the best play.

Previous Betting News

The lone ranked team in action around college basketball on Thursday is No. 11 Arizona as the Wildcats host Washington in Pac-12 action, the conference opener for both. Arizona is a heavy favorite in the NCAAB odds.

How to Bet Washington at Arizona NCAA Basketball Odds & TV Info

When: Thursday, 8:30 PM ET
Where: McKale Center
TV: Pac-12 Network
Stream: Pac-12 Network Live
Radio: Tunein.com
Opening NCAAB Lines: Arizona -19 (total 149)

Last Meeting

On Feb. 27, Arizona beat visiting Washington 75-74. James Akinjo scored a career-high 26 points with seven assists, his final one a kick-out to Azuolas Tubelis who converted a baseline jumper for the win. Washington’s Quade Green was called for a charge, and after a timeout by Arizona with 15 seconds left, Akinjo headed into the paint before dishing the ball to Tubelis, who with one foot on the 3-point arc hit the game-winner with 5.2 seconds remaining. Green’s hurried 3-point try at the buzzer was short. Arizona leads all-time 54-31.

Why Bet on Washington?

The Huskies (4-4) were knocked off by Winthrop last Saturday, 82-74 at home. Winthrop, picked to win the Big South Conference and has won the last two conference titles, looked like the more well-rested team on Saturday. The Eagles were coming off five days rest while the Huskies were playing their fourth game in six days.

The Huskies trailed 35-30 at halftime and the Eagles never opened the door for the Huskies to get any closer. Winthrop had a 16-4 edge in second-chance points. Daejon Davis scored a season-high 21 points to lead four Huskies in double digits.

“We can look at the rebounds and second-chance points. We can make all the excuses in the world,” Davis said. “They were more prepared for us in this game. They came out and hit us first, and like coach said, it’s hard for us to play from behind all game.”

Terrell Brown Jr. was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 23.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.0 apg & 2.0 spg. He averaged 24.7 ppg in three games at the Crossover Classic and was named to the All-Tournament team last week. He was 27-46 (.587) from the field and 17-22 (.773) from the free throw line. Brown Jr. has scored 124 of his 175 points in the second half (70.8%). He leads the Pac-12 and ranks 11th nationally in scoring at 21.9 points per game and leads the nation in field goal makes with 64. He also ranks fifth in free throw makes (43) and third in free throw attempts (55). Brown Jr. is the only Husky to reach double-digit points in all seven games.

For this game, Washington is 5-9 vs. ranked teams under Mike Hopkins. Their last win over a top-10 team came against No. 8 Arizona in Seattle last season on Dominic Green’s buzzer-beating three-pointer.

Why Bet on Arizona?

The Wildcats (6-0) are off a 105-59 blowout of Sacramento State on Saturday. Azoulas Tubelis scored 22 points, and Christian Koloko added 20 before leaving with an ankle injury. The Wildcats had a huge size advantage and exploited it, overpowering the Hornets by 29 points in the paint. Arizona had 31 assists on 38 field goals, including nine by Kerr Kriisa, and shot 55%.

Koloko also had seven rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot but left early in the second half with a sprained ankle. He’s questionable for this game. Including a 20-point performance against Sacramento State, Koloko has scored at least 13 points in five of Arizona’s six games.

Koloko ranks ninth in the country in FG% this year, shooting 69.2% while averaging 16.2 points. The native of Cameroon has 21 blocked shots this season, tops in the Pac-12 and 15th nationally. He has scored in double figures in five of six games this season after reaching double figures twice in his first 54 career games. His shot-blocking has taken another step up this season. Koloko’s 3.5 blocks per game leads the conference.

Sophomore Azuolas Tubelis leads Arizona in scoring (16.5) and is second in rebounding (6.5). He has scored at least 13 points in every game this year. Arizona is the only team in the country with two players that are 6-foot-11 or taller and averaging 16.0 or more points.

The Wildcats are the only Division I team to have three wins by 45+ points this season. The last Pac-12 team to do that was UCLA in 1973-74. UA leads the nation in assist rate (73.8%), assists per game (23.5), defensive rebounds per game (33.67) and scoring margin (+33.8). Arizona also ranks in the top 10 nationally in FG% defense (2nd), scoring (3rd), blocked shots/game (6th), assist/turnover ratio (7th) and rebound margin (8th).

Expert Prediction

Arizona 84, Washington 64

Previous Betting News

The Clemson Tigers will look to pull off the huge upset when they host the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils in their ACC conference clash on Tuesday night. With the Tigers looking to build on their most impressive win of the season and the Blue devils looking to extend their winning ways to double digits, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NCAAB betting odds.

Duke vs Clemson 2020 College Basketball Odds, Game Preview & Pick

When: Tuesday January 14, 2020, 7:00 PM ET
Where: Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson, SC
TV: ESPN
Radio: Duke / Clemson
College Basketball Odds: Duke -11 / Total: 135

Why Bet On Duke?

Duke has won nine straight since their stunning home loss to Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 26. The Blue Devils routed overmatched Wake Forest 90-59 on Saturday to cover the spread as a whopping 20-point home favorite and have won each of their last five ACC matchups by an average of 25.2 points per game. Point guard Tre Jones led the Blue Devils with a team-high 23 points while shooting 10 of 15 from the field. The win helped the Blue devils improve to a near-perfect 15-1 on the season. As Duke drained a blistering 11-of-23 shots from downtown.

“That was one of the most efficient starts we’ve ever had, really,” Blue Devils freshman guard Cassius Stanley told reporters afterward. “Every time we drove and kick, we got great quality shots, and we made them. It’s everything you want out of an offense.”

Duke is ranked a stellar fourth nationally in scoring (83.8 ppg) while limiting the opposition to just 62.3 points per game defensively to rank 46th nationally in points allowed. The Blue Devils are a perfect 5-0 on the road this season. Freshman center Vernon Carey Jr. leads  Duke in scoring (17.4 ppg).

Why Bet On Clemson?

Clemson comes into this matchup playing their best basketball of the season. The Tigers have won two straight by taking out NC State 81-70 on Jan. 4, before stunning North Carolina 79-76 in overtime on Saturday to snap a 59-game road losing streak against the Tar Heels, its first win ever in 60 all-time road dates against their longtime ACC conference rivals.

“We’re certainly glad it’s over,” Tigers coach Brad Brownell told the team’s website. “To change the narrative is a good thing. You’ve got to be proud of this team for the way they fought, didn’t give in and made big shots and big plays.”

Aamir Simms led the Tigers in scoring and rebounding by putting up a team-high 20 points on 7 of 13 shooting from the field while pulling down eight rebounds in the thrilling win.

Clemson averages a uninspiring 68.7 points per game to rank a pitiful 253rd nationally in scoring although the Tigers do limit the opposition to just 63.7 points per game defensively to rank 65th nationally in points allowed. Junior forward Aamir Simms leads the team in scoring (13.9 ppg) and rebounds (7.5 rpg). The bad news is that Clemson is just 7-5 at home this season.

Duke vs Clemson Expert Analysis and Prediction

The Duke Blue Devils might be the far better offensive team in this matchup, but Clemson has a fantastic defense and the Tigers are definitely coming into this matchup with some serious confidence after stunning North Carolina this past weekend.

While the Blue Devils have gone 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall, Clemson has gone a near-perfect 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games. I know the Tigers are also a dismal 3-12 in their last 15 home games against Duke and while I’m definitely not picking Clemson for the outright win, I do like the Tigers to cover the chalk as a double-digit home dog!

Pick: Duke 77 Clemson 71

Previous Betting News

As the regular season starts to wind down in college basketball, it’s time to start thinking about the teams that might make a run in the tournament. There are some obvious choices out there, but there is always money to be made in the March Madness odds by identifying a few teams that might be able to make a deeper run. Of course, we might not be able to fully identify those teams until Selection Sunday has passed and the brackets are in place, but it’s still a good time to start looking a little closer at some of the teams currently quietly residing in the top 25.

The ACC is arguably the strongest conference in college basketball, which is why it’s always a good place to start when looking for a dark horse. One team that might be worth keeping an eye on are the Florida State Seminoles, a team that appears to be peaking at the right time. The will look to continue their positive run of form when they go on the road to face the Clemson Tigers on Tuesday night. The Seminoles are a 1-point road underdog, with the point total set at 132.5.

Florida State at Clemson NCAAB Lines & Expert Pick

When: Tuesday, February 19 at 9 PM EST
Where: Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson
TV: ESPNU
NCAAB Lines: Clemson Tigers -1 (Total 132.5)

Why bet on the Florida State Seminoles?

The Seminoles are not getting a ton of press right now, perhaps because their conference is filled to brimming with very good teams, including #1 ranked Duke. Flying under the radar might be just what this team needs though, and it certainly seems to be serving them very well at the moment.

They come into this week riding a 7-game winning streak that has seen them move all the way up to the #16 spot in the national rankings. It’s a run that has taken them to 20-5 on the season and 8-4 in conference play, the latter of which is all the more impressive when you see that no team has made it through the ACC unscathed. FSU beat Clemson 77-68 earlier this season, so it’s perhaps a little surprising to see them in as the underdog. They are 1-1 ATS as a road dog this year.

Why bet on the Clemson Tigers?

Last week proved to be a rough one for the Clemson Tigers, as they went out and lost both of their games, seeing their overall record drop to 15-10 in the process. Conference play has proven to be particularly problematic for this team, as they are now sitting at 5-7 versus conference foes, which includes the aforementioned loss to the Seminoles a few weeks back.

In 6 games against ranked opposition this season, the Clemson Tigers have but one win, with that one coming quite recently against Louisville. In terms of the spread, Clemson has been .500, going 9-9 ATS as the favorite, including a 6-6 ATS record as a home favorite.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

This game is essentially a pick play, but it’s one where I think we can make a little bit of money given that FSU are in as the underdogs here. I am going to be playing the Seminoles SU and ATS, as I like them to continue their win streak.

Score: Florida State Seminoles 67 – Clemson Tigers 64

Previous Betting News

We all know that only one team can win the national championship in college basketball, but fans very often tend to align themselves with a conference as well as their school. This leads to debates about which conference is the best in any given year, and this season you can make a very good argument that the ACC is the best of the bunch, no matter what the NCAAB odds say, because there are two teams from that conference in the top 4, and 4 teams in the top 25.

The highest ranked team in the ACC are the Virginia Cavaliers, who are currently ranked at #2. They are also the top team in conference play and are heading into this one maintaining an unbeaten record in ACC play. The Cavaliers will have another tough one on Tuesday night when they welcome in the Clemson Tigers, a team that is currently ranked #18 in the country.

Conference play has been a little bit tough on the Tigers, which is why they come in as the betting underdogs, but they will be looking to climb the rankings with a big win on the road against a major contender.

Clemson Tigers vs. Virginia Cavaliers NCAAB Odds & Expert Pick

When: Tuesday, January 23 at 7 PM EST
Where: John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville
TV: ACC Network
Radio: 105.5 FM (Clemson) / 1440 AM (Virginia)
NCAAB Odds: Virginia Cavaliers -9.5 (Over/Under at 120.5 points)

Why consider the Clemson Tigers NCAAB Odds?

The Clemson Tigers have made their way into the top 25, courtesy of a solid 16-3 record, but they will be a little concerned about their recent play, where they have lost 2 of their last 4 games. There is no great shame in these losses, as they came against conference foes on the road, which is never an easy path to navigate. This will be the 4th game that Clemson has played against a ranked opponent this season, and to this point, they are holding a winning 2-1 record in those match-ups.

This team is at its best where they are able to slow the opposition down, and they have won by giving up just 65.2 PPG. They need to be tight offensively, as they do not have an offensive output that is particularly great, averaging 77 PPG. Clemson is 10-6 ATS in lined games this season, and are 8-8 O/U.

Why consider the Virginia Cavaliers NCAAB Odds?

Make no mistake about it, the Virginia Cavaliers are for real this season, and they are beginning to look like a team that is going to be tough to stop. Their lone loss this season came on the road to a ranked West Virginia Mountaineers team, and that defeat did nothing but spur them on, as they have reeled off 10 straight wins since then. That runs includes 7 straight in conference games, putting them a game and a half upon the Louisville Cardinals in the ACC. Not only is this team winning, they are doing it in some considerable style.

During their current run, they have only really had one scare, a single point win over Boston College, with the rest of their victories coming in rather comfortable fashion. Virginia is only averaging a paltry 69.6 PPG, but it is the defense that is getting the job down, as their 52.4 points allowed per game is number one in the nation. No real surprise then that they are 4-12 O/U this season, but they are a healthy 13-3 ATS.

Team Statistics

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Given the style of play of these two teams, I don’t believe that we are going to see a lot of scoring. What I think we will see is another win for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Score: Clemson Tigers 59 – Virginia Cavaliers 66

Previous Betting News

The Arizona Wildcats will look to get back in the win column following their humbling loss this past weekend when they host a Stanford Cardinal team that will look to record consecutive victories after getting  big upset of their own the last time out.

Now, let’s find out which team is offering the most value in this intriguing Pac-12 pairing. Find the latest college basketball point spreads here.

Here’s A Closer Look At The Cardinal At Wildcats Odds, Free Pick & TV Info

When: Wednesday, February 8, 2-17 at 11:00 PM ET
Where: McKale Memorial Center, Tucson, Arizona
TV: FS1
Live Stream: FOX Sports GO
NCAAB Odds: TBA

Why Bet On Stanford

Stanford (12-11 SU, 10-12 ATS) will likely be getting somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-10 points in this contest and they could cover the spread – if they follow the prescription that Oregon laid out for them on Saturday. The Cardinal certainly have plenty of motivation seeing as how they’ve lost each of the last 10 meetings against Arizona and each of the last six home dates against their longtime conference rivals.

Unfortunately, Stanford is pretty mediocre in ranking 285th in scoring (68.8 ppg) and 101st in points allowed (69.1 ppg). The Stanford Cardinal has just two players that average double figures in scoring and just two players that shoot over 50.0 percent from the field.

Why Bet On Arizona

Arizona (21-3 SU, 12-10-2 ATS) is  great tem to back in this contest seeing as how they want to get rid of the bad taste left in their mouths from their stunning 88-66 road loss to No. 6 Oregon on Saturday. The good news is that the Wildcats are far and away a better team than the Cardinal as they rank 142nd in scoring (75.3 ppg) and a stellar 27th in points allowed (63.6 ppg).

Arizona also has a whopping five players that average double digits in scoring and at least three players that look like they could end up in the NBA starting with star 7-0 center Lauri Markkanen (15.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game).

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

Arizona has gone 12-0 at home this season while Stanford is an uninspiring 3-4 in seven road dates. The Wildcats have won nine of their last 10 games while the Cardinal have gone 4-6 over the same span. More importantly, Stanford is a dismal 8-21 ATS in their last 29 road games while Arizona has gone 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games following an ATS loss and 5-2 AS in their last seven games against Stanford.

Keep it simple and back the Arizona Wildcats to win and cover the spread as likely 10-point home favorites.

Pick: Arizona 78 Stanford 65

Previous Betting News

With just 3 games left to play in the regular season, the PAC-12 Conference is as tight as it has been all year long. Just 1 game separates the top 3 teams, but there is the distinct possibility that one of these teams will be knocked out of winning contention this weekend. The Arizona Wildcats and the Utah Utes are both currently 1 game back of the Oregon Ducks, but something is going to have to give when those two hook up in Salt Lake City on Saturday afternoon. It has been a great season for both of these teams, as both are still firmly entrenched in the top 25. A loss for either of them will likely not change that, but it will have a direct outcome on their chances of landing atop the conference standings at the end of next week. To keep up with the action of this and other PAC-12 games going down this weekend, make sure to check out our college hoops betting page.

Arizona Wildcats Vs Utah Utes, NCAAB Odds, TV & Game Info

When: Saturday, February 27, 2 PM EST Where: Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah TV: ESPN NCAAB Odds: TBA

Why bet on the Arizona Wildcats

While the Wildcats (22-6, 10-5) won’t fall out of the top 25 spot with a loss here, they could take a bit of a tumble from their current #9 spot, especially since they started this week out with a loss at Colorado. The defeat puts Arizona at 4-4 on the road in conference play, although none of those wins came versus ranked opponents. Where they end up after this week’s action is over will likely be close to where they stand when the season comes to a close, as their final two games are against unranked foes. That should be more than enough incentive for them to go looking for a win in this one, as the goals has to be to finish as highly ranked as possible, so as to pave an easier path through March Madness. The Wildcats are averaging 81.7 PPG, and are giving up 68.3 PPG.

Why bet on the Utah Utes

The Utes (21-7, 10-5) have hauled themselves right back into the top 25 with 4-straight wins, and that may turn into 5 if they can take out Arizona State on Thursday night. You would have to think that they will win that one, which will carry them into this game with some serious momentum going on. The Utes have a 5-game home win streak going on heading into their Thursday night game, and have been very tough to beat in their own building. The fans there will be looking to create a hostile environment for the Wildcats, and that may rattle a team that is already a little fragile after a tough loss. The Utes are averaging 79.0 PPG, and are giving up 69.6 PPG.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

A solid winning streak and home court advantage would appear to give Utah the edge in this one, but I like Arizona to get their swagger back with a big road win.

Arizona Wildcats 78 Utah Utes 70

Previous Betting News

In College betting Odds, now with the end of the year now in sight, teams are starting to prepare for conference play, and are hoping to arrive there with a head of steam. The South Carolina Gamecocks are rolling right now, and will be looking to keep it going on Friday, December 18 when they face the Clemson Tigers at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC. Tip-off is set for 7 PM EST on ESPN3.

A Close Look At The Gamecocks Vs Tigers NCAA Basketball Betting Preview

The unbeaten Gamecocks are looking to extend their win streak to 8 to start the season, and will do so at straight up. Clemson know that they have a fight on their hands, and will be doing all they can to cover the spread. These are two teams that can score, but which also defend well, making the OVER/UNDER an interesting one indeed.

Why bet on the South Carolina Gamecocks

The Gamecocks are a perfect 7-0 to start the season, but this is the first game that they will be playing in hostile territory, as all 7 of their games so far have been at home or in a neutral venue. It’s an in-state trip, though, so they are sure to have some support in the building. Digging deep into the trends of the Gamecocks unearths a little gem, which is that they are 7-0 ATS in the last 7 games they have played after a home stand of 3 or more games. They are also 6-1 ATS in the last 7 games after a straight up win. South Carolina is averaging an impressive 83.2 PPG this season, and are giving up just 66.8 PPG.

Why bet on the Clemson Tigers

Clemson (7-3) have played the majority of their games at home this season, and have posted an impressive 6-1 SU record. Their lone loss at home came at the hands of another SEC foe in the form of the Alabama Crimson Tide. There isn’t much to like against the spread when looking at Clemson, as they are just 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU win. They are 1-7 ATS in their last games against teams with a winning straight up record, and are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games versus opponents with a winning percentage of .600 or better. The UNDER seems to be where the value lies with the Tigers, as it has hit in the last 4 games that Clemson has played a team with a winning record. The Tigers are averaging 71.3 PPG and giving up 56.9 PPG.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

These two teams met around the same time last year, and it was the Gamecocks with a 68-45 win in that one. I like South Carolina to win again, although I think this one will be a little closer.