Clemson vs. Arizona Betting Pick: Can PJ Hall, Tigers Continue Unexpected Run in Sweet 16?
The Clemson Tigers will take on the Arizona Wildcats as solid underdogs on Thursday night in the Sweet 16. Can PJ Hall continue to carry the Tigers to another upset victory against the Wildcats? Joey Ruiz analyzes this matchup and provides his best bet for Clemson vs. Arizona.
Joey Ruiz - March 28, 2024, 3:37 PM EDT
5 minClemson vs. Arizona Betting Pick: Can PJ Hall, Tigers Continue Unexpected Run in Sweet 16?
Clemson regularly showed off their impressive offensive firepower throughout the season, but they have gotten to this point via their stifling defense, as they only allowed 56 points to New Mexico and 64 to Baylor. Can Clemson slow down Arizona's high powered offensive attack? Let's break it down.
CLEMSON VS. ARIZONA DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: March 28, 2024
- Start Time: 7:09 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
CLEMSON VS. ARIZONA ODDS
- Spread: Clemson +7.5 (-115), Arizona -7.5 (-105)
- Total Odds: O 152 (-110), U 152 (-108)
- Moneyline Odds: Clemson (+250), Arizona (-305)
Clemson vs. Arizona Prediction
Clemson is a team who a lot of people underestimated coming into this year's NCAA tournament. They received a respectable 6-seed but many people, including myself, had picked New Mexico to upset them in the Round of 64. It wouldn't have even been an upset, as the Lobos were actually 2.5-point favorites against the Tigers, which ended up being a blowout win for Clemson. Then Clemson was once again 4-point underdogs against Baylor and pretty much led the whole way before a late game push from Baylor made the game close.
So, for nearly two full NCAA tournament games, the Clemson Tigers have been in control of a fairly substantial lead, and now they once again find themselves as an even bigger underdog against a team with a high-powered offense, much like Baylor and New Mexico. Can Clemson pull off another upset? I am not sure if they will win, but I have a great feeling about the Tigers keeping this one close.
The thing I love about this Clemson team is that they defend inside the 3-point line at an extremely high level. They are only allowing opponents to convert 46.9% of their 2-point attempts this season which is ranked 43rd in the nation. Against Baylor and New Mexico, Clemson held them to a combined 31-71 (43.6%), so they have stepped up on their season average in defending 2-pointers, and have taken their perimeter defense to the next level which is what has made this Clemson defense so impenetrable.
In Clemson's two NCAA tournament games to this point, their opponents shot 3-23 from 3-point range (13% against UNM) and 6-24 (25% against BU). Those are atrocious shooting numbers from very talented offensive teams. This Clemson defense is on another level right now, and Arizona's best player, Caleb Love, is a volume shooter who is very susceptible to off nights with low percentages. If Clemson can force him to take low percentage shots out of rhythm, they can slow down this high-powered offense as he is really the only player on Arizona's team who can go out and break people down off the dribble. Pelle Larson is also a very solid player for Arizona, but he plays within the confines of the offense and should be guarded by either Chase Hunter or Ian Schieffelin, who both have the size to stay in front of him and make him uncomfortable.
The biggest mismatch in this game is with PJ Hall. Arizona has two big men in Oumar Ballo and Krivas who are both 7 footers, but they are simply trees in the middle who are not good at defending in space. Hall is an ultra-athletic, 6'10" big who can step out and shoot with an advanced handle for his size and stature. Hall should be able to drive around Ballo/Krivas or power through smaller guards who are switched onto him. Hall should be the difference maker in this matchup, and I fully expect him to have a big game tonight.
With that being said, I am rolling with Clemson +7.5 at -115 odds for 1.5 units as one of my most confident college basketball plays of the day for tonight's action, as I believe the Tigers have the right makeup to hang with Arizona and potentially pull off the upset.
Clemson vs. Arizona Pick
Pick: Clemson +7.5 (-115) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
COLLEGE BASKETBALL ODDS
