Clemson vs Missouri: Odds & Prediction

Team Previews: #7 Clemson  --  #10 Missouri

Vegas Odds: Clemson -1.5 -- Bet at bodog

Why Missouri will win: 

Missouri comes out of a tougher league then Clemson, had a better league record then Clemson, and even beat an Illinois team by 13 that Clemson lost to. Missouri is very good at causing turnovers and Clemson has a bad knack for losing the ball.

Tiger to Watch:

Laurence Bowers, F - 10 ppg, 6 rpg, 1 apg

With Justin Safford out, Missouri doesn't have many bigs, and Bowers isn't 100% healthy either (wrist). Still, he's playing and will be key to helping shut down Clemson star Trevor Booker.

Why Clemson will win:

Clemson has beaten 11 Top 100 teams, and sports a highly efficient defense that's good at causing turnovers and preventing the three. Missouri is rather weak on the frontcourt and has no one close to Trevor Booker's capabilities.

Tiger to Watch:

Andre Young, G - 9 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg

Missouri is known for pushing the pace, and Clemson's guards will need to step up to the task. In Clemson's two end of season losses, Young had bad games (more TO's then assists and just 3.5 ppg).

How it will go down:

This is one of the tougher games for me to pick, as their makeup and recent form is somewhat similar (they even have the same mascot..) Ultimately, Missouri has some major edges statistically and their ability to force turnovers will come in especially handy against a turnover-prone Clemson team.

Betting Pick: Missouri

Real Pick: Missouri (this is really a toss-up game)