- The #6 Clemson Tigers and #3 Baylor Bears will meet in the second round of the NCAA Tournament
- Both teams blew out their first-round opponents on Friday
- See the opening Clemson vs Baylor odds for Sunday, March 24
The #6 Clemson Tigers headed into the first round as 2.5-point underdogs to #11 New Mexico, and apparently they took that personally. The Tigers boat-raced the Lobos 77-56 to set up a second-round matchup with #3 Baylor in the West Region.
Baylor was equally impressive while dispatching #14 Colgate and will head into its matchup with Clemson as a four-point favorite.
Clemson vs Baylor will take place at FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN, on Sunday, March 24 (start time TBD).
Opening Clemson vs Baylor Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson Tigers | +4 (-110) | +160 | Over 145.5 (-110) |
| Baylor Bears | -4 (-110) | -192 | Under 145.5 (-110) |
The opening odds for Sunday’s game list the Bears at -4 and -192 on the moneyline to advance. The Tigers come back as +160 underdogs to reach their first Sweet 16 since 2018. The game total is at 145.5
Baylor is the third-favorite to come out of the West Region at roughly +500. Clemson was +2500 ahead of the New Mexico game and hasn’t been re-listed yet, though they are likely to be in the +1200 range when they’re back on the board.
Clemson Dominates Mountain West Champs
After ending the season on a 1-3 skid and drawing Mountain West-champion New Mexico in the first round, oddsmakers and bettors alike were fading Clemson. The Tigers, who opened as 1.5-point underdogs despite being the better seed, closed as 2.5-point ‘dogs to the Lobos.
But the Tigers made everyone look foolish on Friday afternoon, opening a 42-28 lead over New Mexico at halftime and running away with a 21-point victory (77-56). Chase Hunter had a team-high 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field while Ian Schieffelin added 16 points and 12 rebounds. Clemson’s defense held the Lobos to just 30% from the field while forcing 13 turnovers.
Clemson’s now sits 33rd overall at KenPom, 24th on offense but just 65th on defense. The Tigers best win this season was an 80-76 true-road win at UNC, the Tar Heels only home loss of the season.
Baylor Leaves No Doubt Against Colgate
Scott Drew’s Baylor Bears recorded their own dominant win on Friday afternoon, crushing Colgate 92-67 in a game that was over by halftime (54-34). Jalen Bridges had a team-high 23 points and the entire Baylor team was red-hot from deep (16-of-30 from three, 53%).
Baylor moved up to 13th in the KenPom efficiency ratings after the victory and now has the fifth-best offense in the nation. Their three-point percentage improved to 39.9%, which is fourth out of all 362 DI teams.
KenPom projects just a three-point win for Baylor (79-76) but it’s hard to see the public fading Baylor.
The winner of Clemson vs Baylor will face the winner of #7 Dayton vs #2 Arizona in the Sweet 16. If the seeds hold, #1 North Carolina will be waiting in the Elite Eight.
In a highly anticipated matchup, the Clemson Tigers will face off against the Baylor Bears in the Memphis opener, with the Bears being favored by four points. This game is sure to be an exciting one, as both teams have had successful seasons and are looking to start the new year off on a high note.
The Clemson Tigers, led by head coach Dabo Swinney, are coming off a strong season in which they finished with a 10-3 record. The Tigers have a talented roster, including star quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who will be looking to lead his team to victory in this matchup. Clemson’s offense is known for its explosive playmaking ability, and they will be looking to put up points against a tough Baylor defense.
On the other side of the ball, the Baylor Bears are coming off a successful season of their own, finishing with a 12-2 record. Head coach Dave Aranda has done an excellent job of building a strong program at Baylor, and the Bears will be looking to continue their success in this game. Baylor’s defense is known for its physicality and ability to create turnovers, and they will be looking to shut down Clemson’s potent offense.
In terms of the odds, the Bears are currently favored by four points in this matchup. This means that oddsmakers believe Baylor has a slight edge in this game, but anything can happen on any given day in college football. Both teams have the talent and coaching to come out on top, so fans can expect a close and competitive game.
Overall, this matchup between Clemson and Baylor is sure to be a thrilling one for college football fans. With both teams coming off successful seasons and looking to start the new year off on a high note, this game has all the makings of a classic showdown. Be sure to tune in to see which team comes out on top in this exciting Memphis opener.
