Clemson -7 over Belmont

[LT Profits]

Talk about this game was cluttering up my thread on yesterday's dog of a play on Princeton, so continue the discussion here.

http://www.sbrforum.com/ncaa-basketball/free-picks/ncaa-basketball-pick-tournament-play-the-day-tuesday-a-38388/

[Darkside Magick]

Fade!

[LT Profits]

The bad thing about Clemson is that make to many turnovers for a team that plays the style that they play. If you play slow and make more turnovers than assists, it will keep the other team in the game. Against a good offensive team like Belmont, that might mean trouble. I like the dog here

But will those turnovers continue vs. a bad defense like Belmont? Also, Bruins probably won't come close to their season averages offensively vs. what is easily the best defense they have seen all year.

[robbeduagain]

Green Bay's D, while not in Clemson's league, wasn't bad (64th nationally) and Belmont managed to score 80 on the road. In doing that they turned them over 21 times. I'll probably be wrong, but I just think Belmont will handle the defensive pressure and at least cover.

[LT Profits]

Green Bay's D, while not in Clemson's league, wasn't bad (64th nationally) and Belmont managed to score 80 on the road. In doing that they turned them over 21 times. I'll probably be wrong, but I just think Belmont will handle the defensive pressure and at least cover.

But even Green Bay is only a mid-major. Maybe Belmont can handle Clemson pressure, maybe they can't, but one thing for sure is they have not faced anything like it yet.

Good Luck.

[Da Manster!]

I'm on Belmont, LT!...too many points for a team that is red hot and also beat UNC earlier in the year...they've also played the likes of Duke so they won't be intimidated...I wouldn't be surprised to see them win ouright but I will gladly take them (+11.5) in my teaser along with Southern Miss!...

[robbeduagain]

But even Green Bay is only a mid-major. Maybe Belmont can handle Clemson pressure, maybe they can't, but one thing for sure is they have not faced anything like it yet.

Good Luck.

While not the same style, Belmont did play VCU in December. Maybe they learned from that. I love games like this. It should be very entertaining. GL to you too.

[JonEJet]

Clemson fan here.

Game will come down to the very end.....as most Clemson games do. Littlejohn is sold out, and the campus is fired up for this game.

I will take the points, however.

[LT Profits]

I'm on Belmont, LT!...too many points for a team that is red hot and also beat UNC earlier in the year...they've also played the likes of Duke so they won't be intimidated...I wouldn't be surprised to see them win ouright but I will gladly take them (+11.5) in my teaser along with Southern Miss!...

They didn't play Duke, their other major conference game was vs. Kentucky.

[Darkside Magick]

All that who they played in a conference and pomeroy rating is all noise and garbage.

[Da Manster!]

They didn't play Duke, their other major conference game was vs. Kentucky.

they almost upset them in the NCAA tournament a couple of years ago...they played and beat UNC this year...they are accustomed to playing the big boys...that was my point...

[IWANTMONEY]

The archetypal high scoring offence v tight defence. On the higher quality teams home court with the tighter defence. Away team plays high tempo too. Will the home team impose their slower pace or will they get caught up in the high speed action? Can Clemson play high tempo at all? A clash of styles, Clemson will continually slow the game down. Only 1 team outside the national top 20, Maryland, has scored more than 66 points on Clemsons court(only one other team in 60's and Clemson won that game by 12). Are there any similarities between Maryland and Belmont? Hmmm they both play at a very similar pace, but with Maryland being a higher quality team.
I think Clemson can keep Belmont to 60 points or fewer - Clemson 68-59

[robbeduagain]

The archetypal high scoring offence v tight defence. On the higher quality teams home court with the tighter defence. Away team plays high tempo too. Will the home team impose their slower pace or will they get caught up in the high speed action? Can Clemson play high tempo at all? A clash of styles, Clemson will continually slow the game down. Only 1 team outside the national top 20, Maryland, has scored more than 66 points on Clemsons court(only one other team in 60's and Clemson won that game by 12). Are there any similarities between Maryland and Belmont? Hmmm they both play at a very similar pace, but with Maryland being a higher quality team.
I think Clemson can keep Belmont to 60 points or fewer - Clemson 68-59

I respect your perspective, but I'm not sure Maryland is a "higher" quality team. Playing a higher quality schedule doesn't make them a better team.

[IWANTMONEY]

Fair enough - but they have played higher quality teams in their schedule and kept them below 60 at home - and sure, maybe Clemson will get caught up with Belmonts high pace and their defence will yield points.
How many points do you think Belmont will score? Thats the key to the game I think.

[fadethefade]

Anyone else looking at the Under on this one? Clemsons defense and the public is hard on the over.

[robbeduagain]

You could be right, but I think the key will be how efficient Clemson is offensively. If they have the turnovers, then they will struggle.

[bob6199]

alright thanks for posting Belmont it is.

[billysink]

Clemson is not guaranteed a cakewalk to the basket here. They turn the ball over a lot and Belmont has a very good defensive assist to turnover rate. There are a few real pickpockets on that squad.

Where Belmont will get beat up is on the offensive boards. I don't see them stopping the tips and putbacks of the Tigers here.

[InTheDrink]

they almost upset them in the NCAA tournament a couple of years ago...they played and beat UNC this year...they are accustomed to playing the big boys...that was my point...

Jesus Christ that was six years ago

Not for nothing but is this how you cap games?

[Capper1124]

GL to you tonight

[IWANTMONEY]

Anyone else looking at the Under on this one? Clemsons defense and the public is hard on the over.

I backed the under. But Im worried the weakly rated Belmont defence might open up and it go end to end

[coitus_maximus]

Don't see Belmont getting those Rebounds though. See a slow paced game here.

[Justin3587]

What people fail to realize is that Belmont shoots it much better than Clemson and shoots better free throws. Clemson has a much better defense but let's face it, they struggle to score the ball.

[TwoWays]

it's all fixed. just pick winners

[CMNoney]

Belmont over 65

[aman86]

good bye LT, why even post anymore.....oh because you get paid to post losers?? at least i learned a while back, good luck everyone

[no1here]

consensus on odds page shows Belmont getting hammer, appears to be money team today, gonna key them hard in parlays

[Louisvillekid1]

What people fail to realize is that Belmont shoots it much better than Clemson and shoots better free throws. Clemson has a much better defense but let's face it, they struggle to score the ball.

They are ranked 40th and 41st in Free Throw %.

The game is going to be dictated on tempo, which should be able to be controlled by the home team here. A lot of Belmont's 3's come in transition as they rank 42nd in forced turnovers and are the 50th fastest offensive team in the nation. Clemson has the country's #1 3 point defense and that is obviously a huge factor here. They also are going to dominate on the offensive glass getting several second chance opportunities.

I think Belmont will come in this game very confident and ready to play. Don't see any negative motivational angles here.

The tigers have been a much improved squad as of late, they have really came together as a team. As you know they are one of the 50 youngest teams in the country. They only have 3 home losses on the season to top tier teams ( Pitt by 5, UVA by 5, & got beat up by FSU way back in early January. They played a very controlled game against Duke in the second round of the ACC Tourney only losing by 1.

The Tigers have played a much tougher schedule and have been able to slow down teams more explosive that the Bruins.

Belmont will have no answer for KJ McDaniels and he should carry them to NYC.

All that being said 7 points is too much for me to lay in this spot. The key factors of slow pace, Offensive Rebounding, & frustration of the Bruins having to play the entire shot clock on both ends of the court should be very wearing on them.

I'm hoping its a very close game at halftime and get a better price on Clemson in the second half.

****The crowd should be a big factor as mentioned earlier the game is sold out.

Good Luck

[mikmik]

I really think Clemson covers the number.

[InTheDrink]

LKidder settin em straight

Again

[Da Manster!]

Jesus Christ that was six years ago

Not for nothing but is this how you cap games?

Actually drinker, I've been winning in case you haven't noticed...Once again, the only reason I mentioned the Duke game was because Belmont for the last 7 years or so has been a very solid team taking on all comers....this year's squad is no different...Very solid and not intimidated by anyone....ps...I know you probably didn't mean any harm but no that isn't the way I cap games...I use basically the same methods as most on here minus line movements, RAS, and shit like that...

[InTheDrink]

Actually drinker, I've been winning in case you haven't noticed...Once again, the only reason I mentioned the Duke game was because Belmont for the last 7 years or so has been a very solid team taking on all comers....this year's squad is no different...Very solid and not intimidated by anyone....ps...I know you probably didn't mean any harm but no that isn't the way I cap games...I use basically the same methods as most on here minus line movements, RAS, and shit like that...

fair enough mansterer....i just thought it odd that youd bring that one up....they did play in cameron and held their own a few years ago but i just dont think any of that has anything to do with that...just for perspective thatd be like using davidson from that time when they still had steph on their team....completely different teams and scenarios

[Ghenghis Kahn]

belmont not athletic enough. they can't even inbound the ball.

[IWANTMONEY]

Clemson outclassing Belmont but also playing quicker - so 50% right lol

[Ghenghis Kahn]

can't believe they're only down by 6 though.

i have a feeling this game's gonna be close...