Expert Betting Picks – Back Clemson Saturday

The Expert Online Betting Picks are out, and you know what that means: It’s time to get your college hoops wagers in!

With the NCAA Tournament right around the corner, every game has added importance. That’ll certainly be the case in a crucial ACC game with bubble implications Saturday.

Virginia Tech Hokies (19-9 SU, 11-11-1 ATS) at Clemson Tigers (19-10 SU, 11-13-1 ATS)

Saturday, March 5: 12:00 p.m. ESPN2

That game features two teams right on the fringe of the NCAA Tournament selection process, the Virginia Tech Hokies and Clemson Tigers. Virginia Tech in specific is coming off a whirlwind week, and could really use a victory Saturday afternoon.

Why was their week so wild? Well let’s go back to last Saturday night, when they hosted No.1 Duke and shocked the Blue Devils 64-60 in Blacksburg. Senior forward Jeff Allen was an absolute stud in the post, picking up 18 points and grabbing 10 boards in the victory.

But after experiencing the highest of highs, Virginia Tech hit the lowest of lows, as they straight up flopped Tuesday night against Boston College. The Hokies never really seemed to be into their matchup with BC, as they fell behind by five points at halftime, and were outscored by seven in the second half on their home court. It was an embarrassing loss in every way imaginable, and certainly makes us weary of making Virginia Tech one of our Expert Betting Picks here.

As for Clemson, well it’s been a tough year with coach Oliver Purnell leaving this program, but they have held strong without him under first year coach Brad Brownwell. They could certainly enhance their chances of getting an NCAA Tournament at-large bid with their win here.

And while the Tigers will never wow you offensively, they do get the job done on the defensive end, as they’re one of the most underrated programs in the country in that facet of the game.

Currently, the Tigers are allowing just 60 points a game, and barely over 40 percent shooting from the field, both of which rank them in the Top 50 nationally. On offense, senior guard Demontez Stitt leads this team with over 14 points and three assists a game.

So with this game so crucial for both teams, which team will be our weekend Expert Betting Picks? Go ahead and bet on Clemson.

Beyond all the reasons we mentioned, remember that the Tigers have been spectacular at home this season, going 14-2 straight up, with their only losses early in the year to Michigan, and recently to No. 13 North Carolina. This is a different ball-club at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Still, this is really about the Hokies though. This is a team that for the past few years has been as inconsistent as they come, and the last week proved it. Every time they take one step forward, they take two steps back, and their loss Tuesday evening was crippling. Can they recover in time for this tough road trip?

We’re not sure. But what we do know is that Clemson is playing with more fire and hunger, and at home should do enough to hold on to victory here. When it comes to our Expert Betting Picks, the selection is clear here, take the Tigers.

Expert Betting Picks: Clemson