The Iowa Hawkeyes may be the No. 9 seed in the South Regional, but they are favored against the No. 8 Clemson Tigers on Friday, March 20 — one of the very few spots the committee got wrong.
My Iowa vs. Clemson predictions and March Madness picks do not trust either the Hawkeyes or the Tigers to play with an ounce of beauty.
Iowa vs Clemson prediction
Who will win Iowa vs Clemson?
Iowa: While neither Iowa nor Clemson is actually very impressive, the Hawkeyes enjoy more balance, and that should keep them steadier in a clunker of a game — one so ugly only a purist or a gambler could find joy within it.
Iowa vs Clemson best bet: Under 129.5 (-116)
Neither the Iowa Hawkeyes nor the Clemson Tigers believe in moving quickly. The Hawkeyes play at a Bottom-10 pace in the country, while the Tigers sit just outside the Bottom-30.
And neither shoots well from deep, with Iowa generally reluctant to heave from long range and Clemson generally middling at it. Nor does either defense emphasize forcing 3-pointers.
These two defenses will encourage elongated half-court sets, grinding down this game. A la Big Ten Tournament games of 25 years ago, this may be a moment of “first team to 60 wins,” if either team even gets to 60 points.
COVERS INTEL: Iowa Hawkeyes had the slowest offensive possessions in the Big Ten, averaging 20 seconds per possession, per KenPom. On defense, the Clemson Tigers forced the longest possessions in the ACC.
Iowa vs Clemson same-game parlay
Iowa has three decisive edges in this sluggish matchup: It is the better free-throw shooting team, it is the superior offensive rebounding team, and the Hawkeyes enjoy the only shooter in either rotation.
Bennett Stirtz may not clear this prop all that regularly — doing so in only nine of his 20 Big Ten games — but with no other shooters on the floor, he should serve as an exception to the rule.
Iowa vs Clemson SGP
- Under 129.5
- Iowa -2
- Bennett Stirtz Over 2.5 threes
Our Big Dance SGP: Clemson's Math Problem
This is the math problem for Clemson.
While Stirtz should hit a few 3-pointers and provide the only versions of modern basketball in this matchup, the Tigers will have no choice but to rely on veteran forward RJ Godfrey.
And while he is one of the more efficient scorers in the country, Godfrey is not enough of a volume scorer to keep up with Stirtz.
Iowa vs Clemson SGP
- Under 129.5
- Iowa -2
- Bennett Stirtz Over 2.5 threes
- RJ Godfrey Over 12.5 points
Iowa vs Clemson odds
- Spread: Iowa -2 (-110) | Clemson +2 (-110)
- Moneyline: Iowa -135 | Clemson +112
- Over/Under: Over 128.5 (-110) | Under 128.5 (-110)
Iowa vs Clemson betting trend to know
In its last 11 games, Iowa is 0-6 against the spread when the Over cashes but 3-2 ATS when the Under hits. Find more college basketball betting trends for Iowa vs. Clemson.
How to watch Iowa vs Clemson
| Location | Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL |
| Date | Friday, March 20, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 6:50 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
Iowa vs Clemson key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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