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Rutgers Betting Favorites vs. Clemson for March Madness First Round Betting

March Madness: Clemson Tigers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Info

On the whole, March Madness and Rutgers are a very rare match.  This is the first season that Rutgers has made the Big Dance since 1991.  Further, the Scarlet Knights have only seven appearances in their history.  Coach Steve Pikiell is that man that has made the difference.  Last year he had a team on the March Madness betting bubble.  But the pandemic ruined that opportunity.  This year Rutgers did enough to close the deal. So too, is Clemson making a rare March Madness showing.  This is only their third appearance since 2011.  Defensive basketball is expected Friday.

Clemson Tigers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Information

Date: Friday, March 19, 2021
Time: 9:20 p.m. ET
Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
TV Coverage: TBS

Clemson vs. Rutgers Betting Odds

Team SP/RL TOTAL ML
Rutgers -1½ (-110) 126 (-110) -125
Clemson +1½ (-110) 126 (-110) +105
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Clemson Tigers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights CashBet Wagering Analysis

On this occasion, betting action will be even with the Sportsbook odds.  Neither team is a college basketball name brand.  Sharps liked the occasional value of each team.  Both are low-profile programs that squares ignore.  Thus, this matchup should have a relatively legit line.  Comparable to marquee teams that bring extra points because of excess casual money.  Undertakers will be thinking of a low-scoring game.  However, the oddsmakers have set the total low in anticipation of that.  Live betting should get plenty of play.  Gamblers will want to get a feel for these lesser-known teams.

Clemson Uses Defensive Fortress for Big Dance Bid

Clemson brings a 2021 March Madness betting record of 16-7 straight up, 11-11-1 against the spread, and 12-11 over/under.  Overall, the Tigers rank 307th out of 350 teams for scoring offense but 12th for points allowed.  In essence, the Tigers are half a team.  And at some point, they are going to have to generate offense from somewhere.  Late on, Clemson has covered only two of their last six.  Three of their last five games went under the total.  ACC standings show the Tigers in fifth place.

Senior forward Aamir Simms has supplied most of the Clemson offense this season.  To illustrate, Simms is the Tigers leading scorer with 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest.  Simms was named to the second-team All-ACC this season.

Coach Brad Brownell has been an 11-season mainstay for Clemson.  In sum, he has led the Tigers to the Big Dance for the second time in the last four tournaments.

Rutgers Does Just Enough to Earn Their Dance Shoes

Rutgers has covered five of their last eight games.  While six of their last eight games went under the bet on NCAA basketball total.  Rutgers stands at 15-11 straight up, 13-12-1 against the spread, and 12-13-1 under the total.  RU ranks 203rd out of 350 teams for scoring offense and 118th for points allowed.

Junior guard Ron Harper Jr. is the top player on Rutgers.  To show, Harper, averages 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.  This is the best season of Harper’s career.

Clemson Tigers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Against the Spread

Late on, Rutgers has covered just one of their last four neutral site games.  The Scarlet Knights are 8-7-1 on the board as chalk.  Rutgers has covered only one of their previous four non-conference matchups.

Specifically, Clemson has covered just three of their last eight as dogs.  The Tigers have paid in five of their last six non-conference games.   Clemson got the money in three of their last four neutral site games.

Clemson has covered two of their last three against Rutgers.  While two of those three games cleared the total.

Clemson Tigers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights CashBet Free Pick  

Of course, neither team here is a 2021 March Madness Betting juggernaut.  But Rutgers does bring more balance.  Clemson is too defensive. Of major concern is the putrid Tigers offense.  With that in mind, Rutgers makes the most sense.

Clemson vs. Rutgers CashBet Best Bet: 

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

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