- Matchup: Iowa Hawkeyes vs Clemson Tigers
- Date: Friday, March 20, 2026
- Venue: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL
- Broadcast: TNT
- Betting Odds: Iowa (-2)
This page may include affiliate links at no extra cost to you, thanks for your support.
The Iowa Hawkeyes, with a record of 21-12, are set to face the Clemson Tigers (24-10) at the Benchmark International Arena this Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Clemson enters the contest as 2-point underdogs, with a total points line established at 128.
In their last outing, Iowa faced off against Ohio State but fell short, losing 72-69. The Hawkeyes posted a field goal percentage of 50.0% with 22 successful shots from 44 attempts and made 10 of 21 three-pointers. At the free-throw line, they went 15 for 19, converting at a rate of 78.9%. On the boards, Iowa secured a total of 22 rebounds, including 5 offensive. They facilitated 16 assists and forced 9 turnovers while recording 5 steals. Defensively, Iowa struggled to contain Ohio State, allowing them a shooting percentage of 55.3% on 26 of 47 attempts. Ohio State accumulated 17 assists and 3 steals, while collecting 20 rebounds, 5 of which were offensive. The Buckeyes converted 73.7% from the free-throw line, hitting 14 of 19 attempts and made 6 out of 20 three-point tries. Iowa was whistled for 16 personal fouls, while Ohio State received 15 fouls during the match.
Bennett Stirtz was a key player, scoring 17 points on 6 of 11 shooting in 39 minutes, along with 1 rebound and 4 assists.
This season, Iowa stands with a 21-12 record, averaging 75.2 points per game (ranking 193rd in D-1). They boast a shooting percentage of 49.1% and a three-point success rate of 35.7% (264 of 739). From the charity stripe, the Hawkeyes are making 77.0%. As a unit, they average 29.4 rebounds per game and have recorded 506 assists for the season, placing them 82nd nationally in assists. They are averaging 9.7 turnovers and committing 17.6 fouls per game.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes are forcing foes into an average of 13.4 turnovers per game and drawing 17.5 personal fouls. Iowa ranks 49th in surrendering assists, with 382 allowed this season. Their defensive shooting percentage stands at 46.1% (749 of 1,625), and they average 28.5 rebounds while allowing 33.7% shooting on three-pointers. In points per game allowed, they are ranked 17th in college basketball at 66.0.
Clemson recently encountered a loss against Duke, falling 73-61. The Tigers recorded 24 total rebounds (17 defensive and 7 offensive) and committed 6 turnovers while managing 7 steals. Duke committed 20 personal fouls, leading to 23 free-throw attempts for Clemson. The Tigers converted 18 of those, achieving a 78.3% success rate. From beyond the arc, Clemson converted 7 of their 25 attempts (28.0%). Ultimately, they finished the game shooting 18 for 55 (32.7%). In comparison, Duke shot 46.0% from the floor, making 23 of 50 attempts, and recorded 9 offensive rebounds out of 40 total.
RJ Godfrey was a standout player for Clemson, contributing 18 points in 27 minutes, along with 1 assist and pulling in 6 rebounds on 6 of 11 shooting (54.5%).
Clemson’s current overall record stands at 24-10. Offensively, the Tigers are shooting at 45.3% from the field, ranking them 173rd in the nation. They have amassed 2,521 total points this season (74.1 per game) and average 34.3 rebounds. Their assist rate stands at 12.8 per game (265th in the country), and they average 9.4 turnovers. Clemson commits 16.0 fouls per game with a free-throw success rate of 72.6%.
The Clemson defense allows a shooting percentage of 32.6% on three-pointers (259 of 795) and permits opposing teams to hit 74.7% of their free throws. They have given up an average of 10.6 assists and 32.4 rebounds per game, ranking 12th and 67th respectively in college basketball. In points allowed per game, they rank 28th, giving up 66.7 points. Additionally, Clemson forces 11.5 turnovers per game while opponents shoot at a rate of 41.9% from the field (57th in college).
Who will cover the spread in tonight’s NCAA matchup?
Prediction: Take Iowa (-2)
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up or make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission always at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping us keep this site running.
