Offense meets defense when the No. 2 Virginia Cavaliers (18-1, 7-0 ACC) welcome the No. 20 Clemson Tigers (16-3, 5-2 ACC) to John Paul Jones Arena. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 118 points with Virginia set as an 8.5-point favorite.
Clemson Tigers vs. Virginia Cavaliers ATS Prediction
In the Tigers’ last outing, they beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 67-58. The Tigers made 12 of their 15 free throws (80.0 percent) and held the Fighting Irish to an effective field goal percentage of 0.452 (below their season average of 0.528). Clemson received a boost from Shelton Mitchell, who put up 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Cavaliers were victorious over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in their last game, 59-49. The Cavaliers held the Demon Deacons to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below their season average of 31.1) and had a better turnover percentage (15.1 vs. 18.7). Kyle Guy was the top scorer from either team with 17 points on 5-for-13 shooting.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Virginia (47th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 113.4) takes on the elite defense of Clemson (35th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 95.4).
Clemson holds records of 16-3 straight up (SU) and 10-5-1 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Tigers have no tendency in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Virginia owns records of 18-1 SU and 12-4 ATS. Of the Cavaliers’ 16 games with betting action, 12 have finished under the projected point total.
After the Cavaliers won the only game against the Tigers last season, 77-73, these teams will meet for the first time this year. The Cavaliers had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.680 vs. 0.563) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (30.4 vs. 28.1).
Clemson Tigers vs. Virginia Cavaliers ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – Clemson, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Clemson is 3-4-1 ATS on the road with 5 overs and 3 unders.
Virginia is 6-3 ATS at home with 6 unders and 3 overs.
Clemson ranks 138th in rebounds per game (36.1) while Virginia ranks 256th (32.9).
The Cavaliers rank 27th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while the Tigers rank 71st (3.2).
Virginia allows the sixth-fewest steals per game (4.3) while Clemson ranks 43rd (5.4).
The Cavaliers allow the fewest assists per game (8.1) while the Tigers rank 32nd (11.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Clemson is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Virginia is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Tigers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.8, down from 11.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 64.0 points per game (5.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 51.6 points per game (0.8 below their season average).
