Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Clemson Tigers Prediction, 3/19/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Clemson Tigers

Date: Friday, March 19, 2021

Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

TV: TBS

Odds/Point Spread: Rutgers (+1)

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (15-11) go to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday where they'll meet the Clemson Tigers (16-7) in the NCAA Tournament. Rutgers opens this contest as 1-point underdogs. The O/U opens at 127.5.

Rutgers comes into this contest with a win-loss record of 15-11 so far this season. They are averaging 70.0 pts per contest (210th in the country) while shooting 45.1% from the floor. The Scarlet Knights are connecting on 31.1% on shots beyond the perimeter (157 of 505) and 63.2% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Rutgers is grabbing 35.3 boards per game and has accumulated 359 assists on the season, which has them ranked 85th in Division 1 in terms of passing. They are turning it over 11.3 times per game and as a group are committing 17.7 fouls on a nightly basis. On defense, the Scarlet Knights are forcing their opponents into 13.0 turnovers per contest while drawing 16.3 personal fouls. They are 279th in college hoops in giving up assists with 352 surrendered on the year. The Scarlet Knights are giving up a shooting percentage of 42.0% (627 of 1,494) and they surrender 36.5 rebounds per contest as a unit. They surrender 32.1% on shots from distance and they are 112th in college hoops in PPG allowed (68.2).

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights faced off with the Illinois Fighting Illini and took a loss by a score of 90-68 in their last game. Rutgers wrapped up the game having earned a 46.3% FG percentage (25 of 54) and made 2 of their 11 3-point shots. From the free throw line, the Scarlet Knights made 16 of 22 attempts for a percentage of 72.7%. In relation to rebounding, they earned a total of 18 with 2 of them being offensive. They also dished out 7 assists in this contest as well as forcing the opposition into 14 turnovers and getting 9 steals. When it comes to the defense, Rutgers allowed the other team to go 52.5% from the field on 32 out of 61 shooting. Illinois doled out 16 dimes and had 8 steals for this contest. Moreover, Illinois collected 41 rebounds (16 offensive, 25 defensive) and earned 1 block. Illinois finished 67.7% at the free throw line by knocking down 21 of 31 attempts. They made 5 of their 17 attempts from long range.

Ron Harper is a player who played a role in the game. He scored 21 points on 7 out of 13 shooting. He was on the hardwood for 34 mins and pulled down 2 boards. Harper walked away from this one shooting 53.8% from the field and totaled 1 assist. Someone else that was a factor in the matchup for the Scarlet Knights was Jacob Young. He wasn't able to snag a board in his 31 min on the basketball court. He went 46.2% from the field for the matchup by going 6-of-13 (13 points). Overall, Young tallied 1 assist.

Clemson has a win-loss mark of 16-7 this season. As an offensive team, the Tigers are hitting on 42.8% from the field, which is ranked 255th in the nation. Clemson has totaled 1,502 points for the season (65.3 per game) and they average 32.7 rebounds per game. They are dishing out assists 13.3 times per game (169th in college basketball) and they are giving up possession 12.7 times per contest. The Tigers commit 15.7 personal fouls every game and they shoot 76.5% from the free throw line. The Tigers on the defensive end are ranked 14th in Division 1 in points per game surrendered with 62.0. They are able to force 14.1 turnovers on a nightly basis and allow teams to shoot 41.9% from the field (97th in college hoops). The Clemson defense concedes 33.7% on shots from distance (165 of 490) and opponents are making 69.7% of their shots from the charity stripe. They concede 11.2 assists and 32.5 boards every game, ranking them 57th and 69th in college hoops.

The last time they took the hardwood, the Clemson Tigers went home defeated by a final of 67-64 against the Miami Hurricanes. The Tigers snagged 19 defensive boards and 4 offensive boards for a total of 23 for the matchup. They also gave up possession 14 times, while getting 5 steals in the matchup. The Hurricanes had 11 fouls in the game which took the Tigers to the free throw line for a total of 6 tries. They were able to knock down 6 of the free throw attempts for a percentage of 100.0%. Concerning shooting from beyond the arc, Clemson knocked down 12 out of their 23 tries (52.2%). In all, the Tigers finished 23 out of 49 from the field which gave them a shooting percentage of 46.9%. The Tigers permitted the Hurricanes to convert 29 of their 54 attempts from the field which had them shooting 53.7% for the matchup. They wrapped up this game 38.5% from 3-point land by connecting on 5 out of 13 and finished the contest at 4 of 5 at the free throw line (80.0%). With respect to how they cleaned up the glass, Clemson allowed Miami to snag 25 overall (6 on the offensive side).

Aamir Simms ended up being a major contributor for the Tigers for the matchup. He knocked down 7 of 13 for this contest for a field goal rate of 53.8%, and had 8 rebounds. Simms earned 17 points in his 34 mins on the court and accounted for 4 dimes for the contest. One more player that was pivotal for Clemson was Hunter Tyson. He ended up walking away with 1 assist in his 28 mins on the hardwood, and he knocked down 5 out of 8 from the floor. Tyson finished going 62.5% from the field while contributing 16 points and 7 boards.

Who will win tonight's college basketball game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Rutgers (+1)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here