NIT Semifinals Betting Cheat Sheet
By Covers.com
Clemson Tigers vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs (-3, 119)
Clemson's K.J. McDaniels scored 16 points and DeMarcus Harrison poured in 14 of his 16 in the second half to spark the comeback victory over Belmont. McDaniels continues to deliver for the Tigers, leading them in scoring (17.2), rebounding (7.1), blocks (2.8) and steals (1.1). Clemson is shooting 74.2 percent from the free-throw line and has gone 34-for-42 from the charity stripe in this tournament.
Nic Moore, who tops the team in scoring (13.5), knocked down the game-winning 3-pointer with 6.5 seconds left to lift the Mustangs into the semifinals. Markus Kennedy had one of his best all-around games, recording 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals versus California. SMU's stifling defense has played a major role in the program's revival, holding 23 of 35 opponents under 40 percent shooting from the floor.
TRENDS:
* Clemson is 1-4-1 ATS in its last six games following a SU win.
* SMU is 5-22-1 ATS in its last 28 neutral site games.
* Under is 8-2 in SMU's last 10 games overall.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (+1.5, 136)
Minnesota's Austin Hollins poured in a career-high 32 points to go with four assists and three steals while going 10-of-10 from the free-throw line in the win over Southern Miss. The Golden Gophers dished out a season-best 23 assists versus the Golden Eagles, with Andre Hollins providing a game-high seven. Free-throw shooting has played an integral role in Minnesota's recent run as it has gone 70-of-85 from the line in the tournament.
The top-seeded Seminoles aim to avenge a 71-61 defeat to Minnesota this season in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Aaron Thomas scored 14 of his team-high 21 points in the final frame and secured nine rebounds in the victory over Louisiana Tech. Okaro White, who was born in Brooklyn and will play in front of family and friends at Madison Square Garden, tallied 20 points and eight rebounds versus the Bulldogs.
TRENDS:
* Florida State is 1-7 ATS in its last eight games vs. the Big Ten.
* Minnesota is 1-5 ATS in its last six neutral site games.
* Under is 4-0 in Florida State's last four neutral site games.
NIT Semifinals
By Brian Edwards
VegasInsider.com
Clemson vs. Southern Methodist
As of early this morning, most betting shops had Southern Methodist installed as a three-point favorite with a total of 119 for 'over/under' wagers. The Tigers are +140 on the money line (risk $100 to win $140).
SMU (26-9 straight up, 19-12 against the spread) enjoyed one of its finest seasons in decades in the second year of the Larry Brown Era. However, a three-game losing streak at the wrong time, coupled with a weak non-conference schedule, resulted in a disappointing Selection Sunday.
SMU took advantage of three games at home to make it to Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Mustangs beat UC-Irvine (68-54), LSU (80-67) and California (67-65). They trailed LSU 41-36 at intermission but rallied to win and cover as seven-point 'chalk.' Nic Moore and Nick Russell led the way with 16 points apiece.
In the 67-65 victory over Cal on March 26, SMU failed to cover the number as an eight-point favorite. Moore buried a 3-pointer with 6.5 second remaining to lift his team to victory. Markus Kennedy paced the winners with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Clemson (23-12 SU, 15-12-3 ATS) advanced to the NIT semifinals by virtue of home victories over Ga. St., Illinois and Belmont. The Tigers have won eight of their last 11 games with the defeats coming by 11 combined points. They dropped a 63-62 decision to Duke in the ACC Tournament and lost their regular-season finale at home to Pitt in overtime.
Clemson took the cash in a 78-66 win over Ga. St. as a six-point favorite, but it was unable to cover the spread against the Illini and the Bruins. A layup from Rod Hall with nine seconds remaining lifted the Tigers past Illinois by a 50-49 score. K.J. McDaniels paced Clemson with 12 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots.
Clemson took out Belmont 73-68 but disappointed its backers as a seven-point favorite. McDaniels led the way with 16 points, six boards, three assists, two steals and a pair of blocked shots. Demarcus Harrison also had 16 points.
McDaniels averages team-highs in points (17.2 points per game), rebounds (7.1 RPG), field-goal percentage (46.3%), steals (1.1 SPG) and blocks (2.7 BPG).
SMU is led the inside-outside combo of Moore and Kennedy. Moore averages team-highs in points (13.5 PPG) and assists (4.9 APG), while Kennedy leads the Mustangs in rebounding (7.0), field-goal percentage (53.3%), steals (1.5 SPG) and blocks (1.3 BPG). --SMU owns a 9-6 spread record in 15 games as a single-digit favorite.
Clemson has been an underdog 11 times, compiling a 5-4-2 spread record with three outright victories.
Texas Tech forward Jordan Tolbert, who averaged 10.7 PPG for the Red Raiders this year, is transferring to SMU with hopes of getting a waiver to make him eligible for the 2014-2015 campaign.
The 'under' is 19-11 overall for the Mustangs, 8-2 in their last 10 games.
The 'over' is on a 6-2 run for Clemson to improve to 16-14 overall.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.
Florida State vs. Minnesota
Most spots have FSU (22-13 SU, 18-14-1 ATS) listed as a 1.5-point favorite with the total in the 137-138 range.
FSU made its way to MSG with home wins over Florida Gulf Coast (58-53), Georgetown (101-90) and La. Tech (78-75). The Seminoles went 1-1-1 ATS in those triumphs. Leonard Hamilton's team slipped past La. Tech as a three-point favorite, but its backers were chafed by the push since FSU led by eight with 40 seconds left. Aaron Thomas had a team-high 21 points and nine rebounds for the 'Noles. Okaro White finished with 20 points and eight boards.
FSU has won seven of its last nine games, going 5-3-1 ATS.
Minnesota (23-13 SU, 15-16-1 ATS) has won six of its last eight games, including three home wins over High Point (88-81), Saint Mary's (63-55) and Southern Miss (81-73). The Gophers beat the Golden Eagles as five-point favorites thanks to Austin Hollins, who erupted for a game-high 32 points. Hollins made six 3-pointers and dished out four assists without committing a turnover. Joey King added 15 points against USM.
As an underdog this year, Richard Pitino's squad has a 5-7 spread record with four outright wins.
Despite a 3-1 run for the 'over' in its last four outings, the 'under' is 15-14-1 overall for Minnesota.
FSU is 7-5-1 ATS in 13 games as a single-digit 'chalk,' but we should note its 4-0-1 spread ledger in its last five such spots.
The 'under' is 17-15-1 overall for FSU, but the 'over' is 9-4 in its last 13 games.
ESPN2 will provide television coverage 30 minutes after the conclusion of Clemson-SMU.
College Basketball Information
Clemson won eight of last 11 games, but only wins away from home in that stretch were both vs Ga Tech; Tigers are #1 in country defending on arc, allowing 28.4% of 3's to be made. Clemson beat Temple by 14, its only game vs AAC opponent. SMU won at UConn Feb 23, looked like shoo-in for NCAAs, then lost three in row to fall off bubble- they lost by 3 to Virginia, its only game vs ACC opponent. Mustangs lost three of last four games away from home; they make 38.2% behind arc.
Yale won its last three games by total of nine points, allowing average of 67.7 ppg. VMI scored 82+ points in 11 of its last 12 wins; they scored 111-106-92 points in first three games of this tournament- they scored 66 ppg in their last four losses. Bulldogs won six of last eight true road tilts. Keydets are 10-6 out of conference; they've won five of their last six at home, 12 of last 15 games overall.
Pacific allowed 62.3 ppg in winning first three games in this tourney; it had lost five of last six games coming in. Tigers are in top 20 in country in experience, but this is their first trip east of Rockies this year, Murray State won 16 of last 20 games; they lost by 25 at St Mary's of WCC in November. Racers' last three losses are all by 3 points. Murray makes 37.6% from arc (#56); they've won their last thirteen home games.
Minnesota (-3.5) beat Florida State 71-61 at home Dec 3, going 28-38 on foul line with +11 (17-6) turnover ratio; Gophers shot just 29.7% inside arc, with nine shots blocked by Seminoles. FSU won seven of last nine games, with four of last five wins by 5 or less points- they've won four of last five games away from home. Minnesota lost eight of its last ten games away from home; they're 4-9 this season against teams in top 50. Florida State dominates inside; they're 4th-tallest team in America.
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