NC State vs Clemson Basketball Free Pick
Scott Morris | March 12, 2019
The tournaments have started and March Madness is underway. The first ACC game of any real value is being played tomorrow at noon, March 13, 2019. Clemson faces NC State to decide which team gets to advance in the ACC tournament. Clemson is favored by -1.5 on the point spread and the betting total is 142 points.
Both teams have had flashes of brilliance this year followed by disappointment. They win games but have trouble stringing together more than a few at a time. Clemson is just 19-12 SU and 14-17 ATS. NC State is 21-10 SU and a respectable 19-12 ATS this year.
The two teams last met a month and a half ago. NC State was ranked 21st in the land with a 16-4 record and 4-3 in conference. Clemson was just 11-8. NC State’s Braxton Beverly was the star of that game, hitting a buzzer beating 3 pointer to secure the win 69-67. Full Game recap here
So what will happen in this rematch? There is no home court advantage as the game is being played in Charlotte, NC. Clemson has been playing better basketball coming into the tourney. They’ve only lost one of their last five games and that was to conference juggernaut UNC 79-81, just a two point loss. NC State comes in losing two of their last three games (losing to GT and FSU, beating BC).
The last couple of years these two teams have taken turns beating each other. Their head to head is 5-5 in the last ten games with Clemson having the slight advantage with an ATS 6-4 record.
Matchup to Watch: Marcquise Reed vs. Torin Dorn
These guys are the leading scorers for each team. Reed leads the Tigers of Clemson with 19.4 PPG. He is truly their standout player. Much more of Clemson’s success will depend on his play. Dorn is NC State’s leading scorer at 13.7 PPG but he also gets 6.7 RPG.
Other Trends
- Clemson is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
- North Carolina State is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of North Carolina State’s last 5 games when playing Clemson
What Will Happen
I can’t help but think we will see a continuation of the NC State team that has lost 2 of the last three and has gone 5-6 SU since these two teams met last. It seems to me Clemson is playing an elevated level of basketball. The oddsmakers seem to agree. That is why the team with the worse SU and ATS record is favored. I like Clemson to win.
As tight as these teams have played each other makes me want to get rid of that point and a half spread though. Take the Tigers on the money which should be -125 or thereabouts at game time. If you are looking for a quality sportsbook check out this list of sportsbook ratings.
