Clemson Tigers - NCAA Basketball Betting

In their fourth season under head coach Oliver Purcell, now seemed like as good a time as any for the Clemson Tigers to up the ante. Clemson had gone 10-18, 16-16, and then 19-13 in Purcell's first three seasons, the last two of which ended with bids to the NIT.

This season, the Tigers returned three starters from last year's squad that lost to Louisville in the second round of NCAA basketball's consolation tournament, and hopes were that Clemson could make the jump and end a nine-year NCAA  tournament drought.

Those hopes were bolstered by a 17-0 start to this season, which made the Tigers the last team in Division 1 men's basketball to lose. Then it became a bit of a habit, and Clemson lost five of its next six games.

The Tigers had clawed their way up to the Top 15 in many rankings, but in less than three weeks had played themselves right out of the polls.

The first 14 wins came against a pretty soft non-conference schedule, which was good, because victories were going to be hard to come by in the ACC. Point guard Vernon Hamilton, the only senior on the team, sets the tempo for Clemson, pushing the ball on offense and pressuring it on defense.

Six-nine junior center James Mays, who missed the last two-thirds of last season for academic reasons, emerged this season as the team's best player. Sophomore guard K.C. Rivers led the team in scoring coming off the bench. Freshmen forward Trevor Booker contributed immediately by helping out on the boards.

But when opposing teams get bodies on Mays and Booker, and keep them in check underneath, the Tigers have problems. This team lost a game to Duke, thanks to some very questionable last-second clock operations, and then blew a 15-point lead and lost to Virginia in a real choke job, so Clemson's collective nerves near the end of games probably aren't good.

This team is easily one of the worst free-throw shooting teams in recent college history. The word “pathetic” about sums up the Tigers' efforts from the charity stripe. Clemson may have very well peaked too early to make an impact in the tournament, but then again, maybe they can find a second wind.

James Mays – Best offensive threat, can be a  load to handle.

Vernon Hamilton – Point guard runs the show, and quick and pesky on the other end.

Trevor Booker – Freshman adds much-needed help on the inside.

Go to the BetUS.com online sportsbook today to bet on NCAA college basketball. We have the most current NCAA college basketball odds and lines, as well as player and game props. Check out the Free Picks section of the Locker Room for free college basketball picks and predictions throughout the season. Join BetUS Sportsbook to experience the best in online sports betting action!