The Nebraska Cornhuskers are heading out on the road for their first true away game of the season as they tip off against the Clemson Tigers at Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson is coming off its first loss of the season, falling 87-82 to Creighton in the Cayman Islands Classic final, but it is a 4.5-point favorite with the total Sportsbook at 139 points.
- Clemson is 1-5 ATS in its last six games as favorite.
- The total has gone UNDER in six of Nebraska’s last seven games (avg. combined score: 131.14).
- Nebraska is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games on the road.
Nebraska vs Clemson Game Center
Tigers shooting the ball well in the early going
Clemson had its season-Sportsbook five-game winning streak come to an end last Wednesday, getting outdueled by the Creighton Bluejays. The Tigers continued to shoot the ball well overall but struggled from beyond the arc both offensively and defensively. They are shooting 49.5 percent from the floor this year, which is the 22nd-best percentage in college basketball, and rely on shooting two-pointers rather than triples. They are averaging just 21.3 three-point attempts per game, which ranks 227th out of 353 teams in the NCAA, and are hitting just 34.4 percent of those shots, which ranks 148th.
However, inside the arc, Clemson is shooting 59.1 percent, which is the 13th-best mark in the nation. Defensively, it is allowing the 12th-fewest opponent rebounds per game at 28.5, including the fewest opponent offensive boards at just 4.3. The Tigers’ slow pace of play limits their opponents to an average of just 55.2 shots from the floor per game, which is the 84th-fewest, and they average just 72.7 possessions per game, which ranks 186th.
Experience of Cornhuskers team bolsters high expectations
Nebraska has jumped out to a 5-1 start, falling only to Texas Tech 70-52 in the Hall of Fame Classic, but rebounded from that defeat with a dominant triumph over Western Illinois on Saturday. The Huskers are led by a couple of senior guards as James Palmer Jr. is leading the team with 17.2 points per game, while Glynn Watson Jr. is chipping in with 15.2 ppg. Meanwhile, Nebraska’s frontcourt features another senior in Isaac Copeland Jr. and junior Isaiah Roby. They’re both averaging six rebounds per game, and Copeland is adding 14.8 ppg.
Overall, the team is shooting well, hitting 47.9 percent of its shots, including 60.1 percent from inside the arc. They shoot the three-ball frequently, averaging 26.8 attempts per game, which is the 45th-most in the nation, but are shooting just 32.9 percent from distance, ranking 187th. Defensively, the Cornhuskers allow the fourth-fewest points per game in the nation at 51.7, with their opponents shooting just 32.4 percent, which is the second-lowest in college basketball.
UNDER trending in this game
This match features two defensively minded teams and Sportsbook has the total Sportsbook at 139 points. The total has gone UNDER in five of Nebraska’s six games this season with an average combined score of 132.167, with only two games going OVER 139 points. Meanwhile, Clemson has gone UNDER in half of its games this year with three games going UNDER 139 points and three games going OVER.
The Cornhuskers allow the fourth-fewest points per game in the nation and limit their opponents to a 32.4 shooting percentage, while the Tigers surrender the 12th-fewest offensive rebounds, limiting second chances, and both teams have slower paces of play reducing the number of points scored.
My take on Nebraska vs Clemson
I like the Cornhuskers on the +4.5-point spread. Clemson is shooting the ball well but only from inside the arc, and Nebraska is allowing its opponents to shoot just 36.6 percent on their two-pointers, which is going to be an issue for the Tigers. Meanwhile, Clemson doesn’t defend the three-ball overly well, as its opponents are shooting 33.8 percent from beyond the arc, ranking 186th in the nation, and Nebraska takes the 45th-most three-point attempts per game. I think this is going to be a low-scoring, close game and I think the Cornhuskers can be within 4.5 points.
