Clemson Tigers vs Louisville Cardinals ACC Semi-Final: Odds, Props & Best Bets for Friday Clash
The #10 Clemson Tigers (27-5) face the #13 Louisville Cardinals (26-6) in the ACC Tournament semifinal, with Clemson entering as 1-point favorites. Both teams have been dominant lately - Louisville has lost just once in their last 21 games, while Clemson has dropped only two in their last 20. Tip-off is set for 9:30pm ET at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC.
College players in white uniforms
The Cardinals enter on a 10-game win streak, including a narrow 75-73 victory over Stanford in the quarterfinals thanks to Chucky Hepburn's buzzer-beater. Clemson also survived a tight quarterfinal, defeating SMU 57-54 in their lowest-scoring game this season.
Key Stats:
- Both teams finished 18-2 in ACC play
- Louisville: 79.2 PPG (4th in ACC), 68.7 points allowed (5th)
- Clemson: 76.4 PPG (5th in ACC), 65.3 points allowed (2nd)
- Total set at 141.5 points
- Under has hit in 4 of last 6 meetings
Player Notes:
- Chucky Hepburn (LOU): Averaging 17.5 PPG
- Terrance Edwards (LOU): 23+ points in 3 of last 4 games
- Chase Hunter (CLEM): 21 points vs SMU, but inconsistent scoring
- Ian Schieffelin (CLEM): Strong rebounder, averaging 8.5+ boards
The teams' only previous meeting this season saw Louisville win 74-64, led by J'Vonne Hadley's exceptional 32-point, 10-rebound performance. Both teams rank in KenPom's Top 25, with nearly identical offensive and defensive efficiency ratings.
Prediction: Clemson's ACC-best 17-9-0 ATS record as favorites tips the scales in their favor. Take Clemson -1 (-112) in what should be an extremely competitive matchup.
The winner advances to face either Duke or North Carolina in Saturday's championship game.