Multiple times each week, The Gaming Juice’s resident action seeker, Brad Evans, will attempt to blast the ‘books with his favorite selections on sides, totals, props, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — but that’s up to you.
Sledgehammer Special — New Mexico -2.5 vs. Clemson (-110, MGM)
The Land of Enchantment is a magical and mystical place.
Whether getting lost in supposed alien probings that occurred in Roswell, traversing the Sangre de Cristos Mountains Kit-Carson style, viewing exquisite Native American art, walking the historic pathways of Santa Fe or consuming a light-your-tongue-on-fire bowl of green chile stew, it’s a distinguishable state unlike any other.
It’s also known for one of the most intimidating basketball environments known to college basketball — The Pit.
The stewards of that building, the New Mexico Lobos, hope their home terrorization travels seamlessly east to Memphis, Tennessee.
[ NCAA Tournament bracket: Analytical picks | 'Gut' picks ]
Junior Pitino's group owns the necessary dynamics to disrupt what should be a wild West Region. The Lobos are 13-6 straight-up in road/neutral contests, and they have locked down defensively. Over its last nine games entering the NCAAs, Danny Granger U surrendered only 0.947 points per possession, good for No. 16 in the country during that stretch. It also has given up a meager 47.7% from two and stifling 29.0% from three.
In the backcourt, Jaelen House and Jamal Masburn Jr. have really clamped down. Down low, JT Toppin and Nelly Junior Joseph have done the same.
With rock in hand, New Mexico hasn’t thrived in a similar fashion. Over the last month, it is a nauseating No. 273 in effective field-goal percentage offense, shooting only 49.0% inside the arc and 29.7% outside of it. Still, given their active frontcourt, the Lobos are an outstanding offensive rebounding team, generating a second chance on 33% of their possessions. Also, given their seasoned guards, they rarely turn over the ball.
Clemson is a formidable opponent. PJ Hall is a versatile big man capable of pouring in buckets whether on the pivot (58.6 2PT%) or squaring up along the arc (31.6 3PT%). With Hall complemented nicely by proven veterans Joe Girard, Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin, the Tigers have a solid, both-ends construct. As a result, they rank No. 83 in effective field-goal percentage offense and No. 81 in effective field-goal percentage defense over their last nine games.
Still, Clemson is somewhat average across-the-board. And it’s just 1-3 straight-up over its last four games. The Tigers’ NCAA Tournament stay is likely to be short.
New Mexico exhibits a hotter hand entering the MADNESS. The -2.5 line for the No. 11 seed is completely warranted.
Bring the green chile spice, Lobos.
Season record: 20-19, +3.38 units
BONUS TIME — Colorado ML vs. Florida (+100, MGM)