#4 Alabama vs #6 Clemson, Elite Eight, Preview & Best Bets: Who Reaches Their First Final Four?
Written by: Nate Hornung
Last Update: Sat Mar 30, 2024, 12:00 pm ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
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We are down to just 8 teams left in this Big Dance, so let's discuss two teams that are searching for their first ever Final Four appearance, as the Alabama Crimson Tide take on the Clemson Tigers.
The 4 seeded Tide have beaten #13 Charleston, #12 Grand Canyon, and now #1 North Carolina on their way to this Elite Eight game.
Although Clemson is the 6 seed in the West, they are a bit of a Cinderella of their own. They knocked off #11 New Mexico despite being the betting underdog, then did the same thing to #3 Baylor and #2 Arizona.
Can the Tigers keep barking as an underdog? Or will the Tide roll their way to Phoenix?
Let's break this game down and find our best bets!
#4 Alabama vs #6 Clemson Game Information
Matchup Information – #4 Alabama vs #6 Clemson
- Venue & Location: crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
- Date: Saturday, March 30th, 2024
- Tip Off: 8:49pm Eastern
- Broadcast: TBS
Betting Odds
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Spread
- Clemson +3.5 (-108)
- Alabama -3.5 (-112)
Moneyline
- Clemson +147
- Alabama -167
Total
- Over 164.5 (-105)
- Under 164.5 (-115)
Can the Tide End Clemson's Cinderella Run?
Alabama didn't look great against Grand Canyon, and they certainly didn't play their best against North Carolina either. However, they won the game, advanced to this matchup, and that's all she wrote.
They are here whether we like it or not, but do they have what it takes to get by Clemson?
Short answer, I think so. But let me tell you why.
Clemson is a team that is more comfortable playing slow. They rank 254th in pace, and although they have a Top 35 Offense and Defense, this Alabama team could be a very difficult matchup.
The Tide run a very unique offense thanks to Nate Oats, and they don't really have a traditional 5 man. Grant Nelson acts as the bug guy on the court plenty, but the 6′ 11″ forward is very shifty, can shoot the three, and can create his own way to the basket. He went for 24 and 12 with 5 blocks against North Carolina, shooting 6/9 from the field and 10/13 from the stripe.
While the Tigers have PJ Hall who is 6′ 10″, he is certainly not as quick as Nelson, and will be difficult to guard on the perimeter.
Even though Alabama isn't the best defensive team, I think their offense is too fast for Clemson, but to be honest, I'm not going to back them. I'll just take a stab at the total.
The Pick: Alabama/Clemson Over 164.5 (-105) BetOnline
These teams actually played in late November, where Alabama won the game 85-77, barely staying under this current total. Point being, we should see some scoring.
Alabama doesn't play much defense, and Clemson likes to play slow. However, I think the Tide push the pace of this game, and with their lack of defense mixed with Clemson's solid offense, I believe the Tigers will contribute to this over.
They have the guards that can shoot and get to the hoop, mixed with a foul happy Alabama defense, we should see plenty of points.
Both teams could certainly touch 80, something the Tide have done in 13 of their L15 games. Clemson has only touched 80 a few times this season, but they usually do so against teams that are very fast paced.
Give me points tonight.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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