A defensive battle should be expected when the Pittsburgh Panthers (15-9, 6-7 ACC) and the Clemson Tigers (11-12, 5-8 ACC) go head-to-head at Petersen Events Center. The game gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
Clemson Tigers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Prediction
The Tigers were not able to cover as 2-point underdogs in their 61-57 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their last contest. The game’s combined points (118) were well under the projected point total of 138. Making free throws was one of Notre Dame’s largest advantages. They were 9-10 (90.0 percent), while the Tigers were just 8-9 (88.9 percent). Tevin Mack was Clemson’s high scorer with 16 points on 6-for-16 shooting.
In the Panthers’ last matchup, they beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 73-64, covering as 2-point favorites. The game’s total points (137) came in over the O/U total of 130. The Panthers had a turnover percentage of 10.3 (better than their season average of 15.6) and had a free throw rate of 0.345 (above their season average of 0.252). Justin Champagnie was the game’s leading scorer with 30 points on 12-for-18 shooting from the field.
After the Tigers won both contests against the Panthers last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the last matchup, Clemson won 62-48. Clemson’s effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Pittsburgh. The Tigers had a rate of 0.519 while the Panthers posted a mark of 0.307.
Clemson heads into the contest with records of 11-12 straight up (SU) and 12-11 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Tigers have a slight tendency to go over the O/U total (52.2 percent).
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh owns records of 15-9 SU and 12-12 ATS. Vegas has been spot on when setting the total of Panthers games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the nation’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Pittsburgh currently ranks 337th in possessions per game (65.1) and Clemson is 279th (67.3). Also, the Tigers, who rank 317th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.184), could have a tough time getting to the line against the Panthers, who rank 38th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.176).
Clemson at Pittsburgh Pick
Basketball Prediction: ATS Winner – Clemson, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, Clemson is 5-4 ATS with 5 unders and 4 overs.
Pittsburgh is 7-8 ATS at home with 8 unders and 7 overs.
Clemson ranks 37th in three pointers attempted per game (26.3) while Pittsburgh ranks 259th (18.0).
The Tigers rank 40th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while the Panthers rank 141st (3.8).
Pittsburgh ranks 21st in steals allowed per game (5.0) while Clemson ranks 113th (6.4).
The Tigers rank 155th in assists per game (12.9) while the Panthers rank 162nd in assists allowed per game (13.1).
In its last five contests, Clemson is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Pittsburgh is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Tigers have been outscored by an average of 8.0 points in their last five games. On the season, Clemson has defeated opponents by an average of 1.7 points.
During their last five games, the Panthers have scored an average of 67.0 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 69.8 points per game (6.4 above their season average).