The Iowa Hawkeyes play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament from Tampa, Florida. Tip-off is set for 6:50 p.m. ET on TNT.
Iowa is favored by -2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -142. Meanwhile, Clemson is the underdog at +2.5 with a moneyline +118. The total is set at 129.5 points.
Here’s my Iowa vs. Clemson prediction and college basketball picks for March 20, 2026.
Iowa vs Clemson Prediction
My Pick: Iowa -2.5
My Iowa vs Clemson best bet is on the Hawkeyes to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Iowa vs Clemson Odds
| Iowa Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -105 | 129.5 -105o / -115u | -142 |
| Clemson Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -115 | 129.5 -105o / -115u | +118 |
- Iowa vs Clemson spread: Iowa -2.5
- Iowa vs Clemson over/under: 129.5 points
- Iowa vs Clemson moneyline: Iowa -142, Clemson +118
Iowa vs Clemson College Basketball Betting Preview
Iowa Basketball
Ben McCollum — in his first season at Iowa — led the Hawkeyes to a successful 21-12 record. The Hawkeyes finished .500 in Big Ten play and stumbled in the last month of the season, winning three of their last nine games.
Iowa grades out almost identically on both ends, with the 31st-most efficient offense in the country and the 30th-best defense.
This team’s identity lies in its methodical half-court pace, as this group is 357th in tempo.
Offensively, this group has a strong effective field goal percentage, up at 16th in the country. Bennett Stirtz is a ridiculously good playmaker and shotmaker, and this group is so connected and on point as a unit with its passing.
Defensively, Iowa is opportunistic with steals and deflections, but it can be exposed in the paint or on the glass against physical teams. Positionally, the Hawkeyes are very sound, but they foul a lot and don’t have true rim protection.
Clemson Basketball
Brad Brownell and the Tigers secured a 24-10 record, finishing 12-6 in the ACC (tied for fourth). Brownell lost all of his productive players from last season outside of Dillon Hunter, but he brought in a complementary group of veteran transfers that have done a great job playing his type of basketball.
The Tigers play a disciplined, defensive-minded, slow-paced style, forcing opponents deep into the shot clock, and they excel in rebounding and rim protection. The Tigers are top-30 in the country in taking care of the ball, 15th in defensive rebounding rate and force the fifth-longest average possession length for opposing offenses.
Offensively, this group plays through the post and inside out. RJ Godfrey and Nick Davidson are skilled and physical interior scorers. This group is below average shooting from deep, and doesn’t boast a single “knockdown” shooter.
The Tigers also took a big hit in the ACC Tournament, with key starter Carter Welling suffering a season-ending injury.
Iowa vs Clemson Pick, Betting Analysis
Sometimes you just get a strong intuitive feeling in a toss-up 8/9 game like this.
I feel really confident that Iowa is the side here.
For one, it's comfortable playing this slower-paced, half-court environment. Clemson likes to drag teams into the mud, but Iowa is comfortable playing there and is really good in late shot clock situations.
I also think the loss of Welling to injury can't be understated. Clemson still has some big bodies that are tough to deal with in Godfrey and Davidson, but it’s less of a clear advantage down such a key player.
Plus, Iowa has plenty of experience facing better frontcourts from Big Ten play.
I don’t really trust Clemson’s guards to make shots and take care of the ball against this stout Iowa defense. I’ll gladly lay a possession with an elite point guard in Stritz and an elite head coach in McCollum.
My Pick: Iowa -2.5 (Play to -3)
