New Mexico is coming into the tournament hot, having won four games in a row. The crowning achievement was capturing the Mountain West championship over San Diego State, 66-61. Conversely, Clemson has struggled lately, losing three of four, including a 76-55 beating at the hands of Boston College in the ACC playoffs.

As such, the Lobos are favoured on the March Madness odds, if only slightly. The school is pinned at -2.5.

New Mexico Lobos vs. Clemson Tigers NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting

T’is the season for firsts, as New Mexico and Clemson have never set foot on the basketball court at the same time.

The Lobos are playing in March Madness for the first time in a decade when they were quickly dispatched in the opening round. Dust off old records and one finds out that New Mexico has reached a couple of Sweet Sixteens, albeit in 1968 and 1974. For betters, the Lobos are covering spreads at just the right time. Their 19-11 overall record has been bolstered by a run of six wins in a row, including four playoff games. Incidentally, despite the over being 18-12, the under has connected the last four times.

In fairness, Clemson’s history in March Madness isn’t all that more illustrious, although they played a Sweet Sixteen as recently as 2018. They also tend to make it in, then miss a few editions (2018, 2021, and now 2024). Furthermore, with regard to the spread, the Tigers are on a different trajectory than the Lobos. Yes, the 17-13-1 tally looks decent, but the team has covered only once in five games, with three defeats and a push.

New Mexico Lobos (11)

New Mexico made it out of the Mountain West as champs despite struggling within the division for much of the season, going only 10-8. That put them in the middle of the pack, but it doesn’t matter how you get to March Madness, just as long as you arrive.

This is a high-scoring team, as they put 81.5 points on the board on any given night. They require a lot of shots to do so, however, averaging 65.3. Where the Lobos can get burned is on the defensice end. They give up 70.5 points per match. One name on the roster should ring a bell, that of JT Toppin. Yes, he’s Obi Toppin’s (Indiana Pacers) younger brother. His 9.0 rebounds could be huge, as are Nelly Junior Joseph’s 8.0. Jaelen House leads the team with 16.1 points, followed by Jamal Mashburn’s 14.4 and Donovan Dent’s 14.3.

Clemson Tigers (6)

The Tigers are yet another squad that earned most of its highlights when playing outside its own conference. Within the ACC they only went 11-9.

Clemson is a solid if not great attacking side, netting an average of 77.4 points a night. They put up a good amount of three-point shots by college standards (23.6) but only make 35.4 per cent of them. Like New Mexico, Clemson are a decent defensive group but nothing to write home about, coughing up 71.3 points. The Tigers have an impressive big man of their own in Ian Schieffelin, who grabs 9.5 rebounds. PJ Hall is a good blocker, swatting away 1.6 shots a game. Hall also tallies the most points with 18.8, with guard Joseph Girard III in second courtesy of his. 15.7.

Who Will Win Lobos vs. Tigers?

LOBOS

Away

79

TIGERS

Home

75

Score
Predictions

Matchup