March Madness 2011 Predictions: Can Clemson Escape a UAB Upset Bid?

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

March Madness 2011 Predictions Roll On, As Clemson Looks to Take Down UAB

As part of this season's expanded NCAA tournament field, eight teams must earn the right to take part in the tournament's main body, in four play-in games scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. One of the more widely anticipated of those contests takes us to the East Region, where the Clemson Tigers will be doing battle with the Alabama-Birmingham Blazers on Tuesday, for the right to be the East's 12th seed.

The Tigers were a fairly strong team in the ACC this season, finishing fourth in the conference, before falling in the tournament semis. Led by guards Demontez Stitt and Andre Young, and forward Jerai Grant, the Tigers can score from the outside, or in the paint, and are a fairly solid rebounding club overall. Their defense is solid, allowing just over 60 points per game, while their offense is balanced enough to average 68 points per game.

But, Clemson's depth isn't great, and there's precious little scoring that comes from outside of those three stars.

UAB plays a very similar style to the Tigers, averaging over 68 points per game, while giving up just over 62. With Jamarr Sanders, Cameron Moore and Aaron Johnson all averaging at least 12 points per game, the Blazers are capable of beating you from the inside or the outside as well, even if they lack depth too.

Look for these two evenly matched teams to duke it out till the bitter end, although I feel like Clemson's big-game experience will pay dividends, as UAB lacked a truly strong victory over a non-bubble team in the regular season.

Final Score: Clemson 75, UAB 71.

For more March Madness, be sure to check out our March Madness central and printable brackets.

Most recent updates:

Flag

Props (1)