Illinois vs. Clemson

Clemson plays best at home, a 14-3 record, and into town for this NIT game comes an Illinois team that is 6-6 away from home. Illinois is a bad offensive team, 311th in the nation in scoring while shooting 40.9% as a team (320th). Illinois is 7-12 the last 19 games, and this is their second straight road contest. That Illini offense will struggle against a Clemson defense that is fierce, fourth in the ACC in points allowed while allowing 43% shooting from the field, and ranked third in three-point defense allowing 31.8%. The Tigers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning record.  For the first time in its history, Clemson has two players with at least 60 blocked shots in the same season. The Tigers are coming off their 10th straight home NIT win, 78-66 over Georgia State, as K.J. McDaniels matched career highs with 30 points and 14 rebounds while adding five blocks. The Tigers are 7-2 ATS in their last nine non-conference games, so grab home court and the great defense. Play Clemson.