The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-16, 3-13 ACC) close out their home schedule at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center as 3-point underdogs against the Clemson Tigers (17-12, 7-9 ACC). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 130 points and it will air on ESPNU at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.
Clemson Tigers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Odds
Both teams lost in their last contest. The Tigers (3.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the fifth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, 81-79, while the Fighting Irish (8.5-point underdogs) fell to the Louisville Cardinals, 75-61. The Clemson game went 12.5 points over the projected point total of 147.5, while the Notre Dame game went 0.5 points under the projected point total of 136.5.
Clemson did a great job of converting from the free throw line (17-22; 77.3 percent) while Notre Dame had a better turnover percentage (8.1 vs. 11.5). Notre Dame rallied around John Mooney, who finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Elijah Thomas played a pivotal role for Clemson with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Tigers won the only contest between these two teams last year, 67-58. Clemson’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Notre Dame. The Tigers had a rate of 0.231, while the Fighting Irish posted a mark of 0.032. This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
Tigers games have a slight tendency to go under the total (51.7 percent). Clemson heads into the game with records of 17-12 straight up (SU) and 13-16 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Fighting Irish are involved, as 58.6 percent of their games have finished under the total. Moreover, Notre Dame is 13-16 SU and 11-18 ATS.
Half-court execution will be critical when two of the country’s slowest-paced teams square off. Notre Dame currently ranks 306th in possessions per game (66.3) and Clemson is 277th (67.1). Furthermore, the Tigers could dominate on defense. They rank 48th in the NCAA with an opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 0.477, while the Fighting Irish’s offense ranks 329th in effective field goal percentage (0.469).
Clemson Tigers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Odds Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Clemson, ATS Winner – Clemson, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Clemson ranks 34th in rebounds allowed per game (31.8) while Notre Dame ranks 276th (39.2).
- The Fighting Irish rank 24th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while the Tigers rank 68th (5.7).
- Notre Dame ranks 21st in blocks per game (4.7) while Clemson ranks 64th in blocks allowed per game (2.9).
- The Fighting Irish rank 33rd in three pointers attempted per game (26.6) while the Tigers rank 260th (19.7).
- Clemson ranks eighth in assists allowed per game (9.9) while Notre Dame ranks 126th (12.8).
- Notre Dame is 5-13 ATS at home, while Clemson is 6-7 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 10 of the Fighting Irish’s 18 home games, while 7 of the Tigers’ 13 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Tigers are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Fighting Irish are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Clemson has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Notre Dame has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Tigers have scored an average of 67.2 points per game (2.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.6 points per game (1.3 above their season average).
- The Fighting Irish have been outscored by an average of 8.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Notre Dame has defeated opponents by an average of 0.3 points.
