Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Clemson Tigers Predictions, Picks and Preview – February 10, 2015

Notre Dame has had more than its share of trouble on the road in recent games. After splitting a pair of close contests against NC State and Pittsburgh, the Irish got absolutely smoked by Duke in Tobacco Road. The Irish now head down to South Carolina, where the Clemson Tigers will be looking to rebound after their four-game winning run was snapped at Miami.

Will Kentucky’s 21-game winning streak get snapped away to LSU? Check out our preview of the Wildcats vs. Tigers here, right after reading on below for our breakdown of the Irish vs. Tigers.
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Clemson Tigers Betting Preview

Where: Littlejohn Coliseum, South Carolina

When: Tuesday, February 10, 7:00 PM ET

Line: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-3) at Clemson Tigers (+3) – view all NCAA Basketball lines

Betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish

After edging out Duke at home in late January, Notre Dame (21-4, 9-3 ACC) wasn’t quite as lucky the second time around as it was blown out, 90-60, by the Blue Devils last Saturday at Cameron Indoor. The Irish’s elite offense (No. 2 in adjusted offensive efficiency) shot poorly from everywhere (40 percent from the field and 35 percent from the line) while their defense allowed Duke to shoot a sizzling 60 percent.

[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Steve Vasturia led the way with 15 points, but Jerian Grant, Zach Auguste and Pat Connaughton, Notre Dame’s top three leading scorers averaging 44.5 points per game, combined for only 16 points on 6-for-19 shooting.

That’s three questionable road performances in a row for the Irish. They managed to overcome an 18-point second half deficit to beat NC State, 81-78, in overtime, but they couldn’t quite get past Pitt, 76-72, on Jan. 31.

Grant, Auguste, Connaughton and Demetrius Jackson have had off-nights in recent games, but the one player who can’t afford to have a bad game is Grant.

The 6-5 Grant is averaging 17 points and six assists per game this season, but he’s had his struggles at home. However, he will have a significant size advantage against Clemson’s starting guards, who are no taller than 6-1.

The Irish have an elite offense, but their subpar defense has allowed conference foes to stay close. Notre Dame is just 4-7 against the spread in conference play, with seven of its 11 games decided by six points or less.

Betting on the Clemson Tigers

Clemson’s (14-9, 6-5 ACC) four-game winning streak came to an end on Sunday with a 56-45 loss at Miami. The Tigers shot just 33 percent from the field and went 5-for-20 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, leading scorer Jaron Blossomgame (13.1 points per game) was limited to a season-low six points.

Defensively, though, the Tigers have remained a tough team to break down. They held Miami to 39.6 percent from the field, the fifth straight game they’ve held an opponent to sub-40 percent shooting. Their defense is currently 39th in both points allowed per game and adjusted defensive efficiency.

Clemson has lost all three games it’s played thus far against ranked opponents. It lost by 14 against North Carolina at home in the conference opener, by six against Louisville and by 18 against Virginia (both on the road).

But the Tigers can play good enough defense to at least slow Notre Dame down and turn the game into a slow grind that will favor Clemson. If Blossomgame and Jordan Roper (15 points per game in his last five) can produce enough points on the other end, there’s a very good chance the Tigers drag the Irish into another close game.

Writer’s Prediction

Grant leads the Irish to a gutsy win and cover on the road. Create a betting account now to cash in on the ACC’s Grade-A hoops action.
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