Clemson vs Baylor Expert Picks & Predictions (March 24)

• #6 Clemson meets #3 Baylor in the second round of March Madness on Sunday
• Both teams cruised to victory in their Round of 64 matchups
• See below for Clemson vs Baylor picks and predictions for March, 23

Clemson is the only 6-seed remaining in the March Madness bracket after beating New Mexico on Friday. All other 11 seeds advanced to the Round of 32. The Tigers came out of the gate and did not let off the gas for forty minutes of play, defeating the Lobos by 21 as 2.5-point underdogs.

Baylor played #14 Colgate and won decisively 92-67, so both teams enter this second-round matchup feeling good.

Clemson vs Baylor Odds

The college basketball odds list #3 Baylor as 4.5-point favorites over #6 Clemson. The line has moved slightly since the odds were released, as Baylor opened as 4-point favorites. The Bears are -200 on the moneyline, which gives them an implied win probability of 66.67%. The total in this game opened at 145 and has moved down half a point.

Baylor’s Final Four odds are currently +500, and Clemson is +1500 to win the West region. The last 6-seed to reach the Final Four was Michigan back in 1992.

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Which Clemson Team Will Show Up?

Clemson has a talented lineup featuring PJ Hall, Chase Hunter, and Ian Schieffelin. When those three are on, like they were against New Mexico, they can feel impossible to stop. Hunter led the way in the first round with 21 points for the Tigers, while Hall had 16 and Schieffelin had 14. Clemson also has Joe Girard who is lethal from behind the arc. Girard shoots over 41% from three.

.@ClemsonMBB with the win! 🏀

Coach Brad Brownell and Guard Chase Hunter join @JonRothstein for a post-game chat. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/1g9FntQDMV

— March Madness Men’s Basketball TV (@MM_MBB_TV) March 22, 2024

The problem with the Tigers is consistency. The Clemson team that showed out against New Mexico also lost by 21 points to Boston College in their first game of the ACC Tournament. The Tigers have also beaten Alabama and North Carolina this season. The Tigers were faltering down the stretch but seemed to right the ship in the first round of this tournament.

Clemson is 18-14-1 against the spread this year and is a great 7-1 against the spread as an underdog. The Tigers are 25th in offensive efficiency and put up over 77 points per game. If the offense keeps hitting their shots, they will be tough to beat.

Baylor Is Looking For Their First Sweet 16 Since 2021

Baylor last made the Sweet 16 in 2021 when they went on to win the National Championship. Since then, they have not been able to get out of the first weekend of the tournament. The Bears made the NCAA Tournament in 2022 and 2023 but lost in the Round of 32 both years. They will be looking to break that trend on Sunday.

This year’s Baylor team is young, but they are battle-tested and explosive. They are a top-five team in adjusted offensive efficiency, score over 80 points per game, and shoot nearly 40% from behind the arc.

Their offense is led by the dynamic guard duo of Ja’Kobe Walter and RayJ Dennis. Walter averages 14.4 points per game, and Dennis averages 13.2. Baylor is vulnerable on defense, however, as they are ranked 74th in adjusted defensive efficiency.

The Bears have been great against the spread this season. Baylor has gone 20-11-2 against the number so far and has covered the spread in six straight games as favorites.

Clemson vs Baylor Prediction

Both of these teams have the ability to put up points in bunches, which is why the over is showing value. Baylor will get theirs, and Clemson seems to have turned the corner on offense. There is not much concern that either of these defenses will pose much of a threat.

Baylor also has the edge in many areas, especially when it comes to the three pointer. Baylor likes to shoot the three, and they shoot just under 40% from behind the three-point line. Clemson is ranked just 159th when it comes to three-point defense.

While the Tigers looked good against New Mexico, part of that could have been due to the Mountain West, who has not played well in the tournament as a conference. 6 seeds normally do not go too far in the NCAA Tournament, and that will be the case again as Baylor’s offense should score enough points to pull away at the end.

Picks:

• Baylor -4.5 (-110)
• Over 145 (-110)