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Clemson and Missouri aren’t March Madness favorites, but they could end up having the game of the first round when these two groups of Tigers square off in Buffalo on Friday. Both teams are comfortable running up and down the floor, but who will be alright when the game slows down in the second half?

Missouri Tigers vs Clemson Tigers odds – Friday, March 19, 2:45 PM ET

[ad#336r]The Tigers, a tenth seed in the East region, stumbled down the Big 12 stretch, losing three of their last four, and their lone win came in overtime at lowly Iowa State. Mizzou is a run-and-gun team that shoots three-pointers at a 37.1% clip, and the main gunners are Kim English and Marcus Denmon. Laurence Bowers has decided to postpone surgery on two torn wrist ligaments until after the NCAA Tournament, and even though the Tigers like to run, Bowers is their best inside scorer, but now, it’s even more important that Mizzou hit their three-pointers. The Tigers also lead the nation in steals, which fuels the transition game, but they’re terrible on the boards.

Clemson was upset by North Carolina State in the first round of the ACC tournament, but their mission is to make it to the second round after two straight exits in the first round. Clemson can get out and run as well, but that leads to turnovers, although Demontez Stitt has taken better care of the ball lately, and that’s what needs to happen if the Tigers want to make it through this 2010 March Madness bracket. Defensively, the Tigers are seventh in the nation in steals, and they’re great at defending perimeter shooters, which is a bad sign for Mizzou.

Clemson is favored by 1.5 points according to sportsbook odds (sportsbook review), and their lone meeting with Mizzou resulted in a 47-45 win at home back in 1996. This could turn into a track meet, and it probably will be for the first 10 minutes, if not the entire first half. However, the game will slow down at some point, and Clemson has the edge in Trevor Booker, who could be able to take over the game with Bowers less than 100%. Mizzou has struggled this year when the game turns into a half-court matchup, as they’re built for speed, and their problems on the glass are magnified if their three-pointers aren’t dropping. Oliver Purnell has done a great job at turning the Clemson program around, and after three straight trips to the big dance, all that is left for them to do is win a first-round game, and it looks set up for them to do so.

Bet March Madness: Clemson -1.5

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