March Madness: McNeese vs. Clemson odds, picks and predictions
The No. 12 seed McNeese Cowboys (27-6) and No. 5 seed Clemson Tigers (27-6) meet in an NCAA Tournament first-round game in the Midwest Region Thursday. Tip-off from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence is set for 3:15 p.m. ET (truTV). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the McNeese vs. Clemson odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
McNeese enters the tournament on an 11-game winning streak after cruising through the Southland Tournament and taking down Lamar 63-54 in the final March 12, failing to cover as a 12.5-point favorite. The Cowboys finished 21-1 in the conference. The team is led by G Alyn Breed, who averages 17.5 points per game (PPG), but has been battling a knee injury that could affect his availability for Thursday.
Clemson snapped a 9-game winning streak with a 76-73 loss as a 2.5-point favorite against Louisville in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals Friday. The Tigers finished with an impressive 19-3 ACC season record, behind only Louisville and Duke. They are led by G Chase Hunter, who averages 16.4 PPG.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
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McNeese vs. Clemson odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 6:27 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML) : McNeese +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Clemson -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
: McNeese +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Clemson -350 (bet $350 to win $100) Against the spread (ATS) : McNeese +7.5 (-105) | Clemson -7.5 (-115)
: McNeese +7.5 (-105) | Clemson -7.5 (-115) Over/Under (O/U): 133.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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McNeese vs. Clemson picks and predictions
Prediction
Clemson 75, McNeese 63
PASS.
There is no value betting the ML on Clemson (-350), which cruised through the ACC.
BET CLEMSON -7.5 (-115).
The Tigers are 20-13 ATS this season, while the Cowboys are just 15-16 ATS.
The Tigers are 7-3 ATS over their last 10 games. They have allowed 54 or fewer points in 2 of their last 3 games, while scoring 73 or more points in 2 of their last 4 outings. They have scored 71 or more points in 8 of their last 10 games, while allowing 65 or fewer points in 5 of their last 9 outings.
The Cowboys have scored 68 or fewer points in 2 of their last 4 games and have failed to cover the spread in 6 of their last 10 outings.
BET OVER 133.5 (-110).
Even though the Cowboys allow just 64 PPG and the Tigers give up 65.6, both teams have strong offenses. The Cowboys have scored 83 or more points in 2 of their last 3 games and at least 73 points in 6 of their last 8 outings, while the Tigers have scored 71 or more points in 8 of their last 10.
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