UAB-Clemson Line at Tigers -4.5
The UAB-Clemson line was coming in at -4.5 in favor of the Tigers with nearly 85 percent of the spread betting action on this game going towards Clemson at BetUS.com. Clemson was also getting around 70 percent of the money line action to win outright. 85 percent of the betting action for the total was on the OVER 125.
Clemson (21-11) played Saturday in the ACC semifinals, losing to North Carolina in overtime. The Blazers come into this game with a 22-8 record.
The winner of Tuesday night's game will quickly fly down to Tampa, Florida and face West Virginia (20-11) in the first game on Thursday's schedule.
Mike Davis of UAB said: "This should be the happiest time in these student-athletes' lives. To get in the big dance is a special event. That's their dream -- that one shining moment."
Clemson coach Brad Brownell has been asked about his team’s energy heading into the first ever First Four, and more specifically about whether they are up to the task of facing UAB’s point guard Aaron Johnson. He’s averaging 7.7 assists per game and leads the nation coming into the Tournament.
"Aaron Johnson is probably the fastest guy I've seen with the ball all year," Brownell said. "So energy will be critical.
"I danced the whole time I was in my room when I was watching (ESPN analyst) Jay Bilas and all the rest of them talk down to us," he said. "Their facial expressions, they seemed like they wanted to cry. Like one of the coaches in the NBA said, there ain't no crying in basketball. So it definitely didn't spoil my celebration at all."
In first round tournament games, Clemson is a lousy 5-14 Against The Spread since 1997. UAB, meanwhile, has difficulties playing on neutral courts where they are just 2-8 ATS.
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
