Clemson vs. Iowa celebrity picks shouldn't give Tigers fans much confidence

The math says Clemson. The money says Iowa. The analysts? They’re just trying to figure out which side of the coin will land face-up. As tipoff approaches, the match between Clemson and Iowa is set to be one of the most evenly anticipated games on the court. Although Clemson has the best overall record, Vegas has set Iowa as a modest -2.5 favorite. ESPN’s matchup predictor, by contrast, tilts a bit toward the Tigers at 50.6 percent. It is the definition of a toss-up, with a Clemson side that has won four of its last five, and an Iowa team that has stumbled, dropping four of its last five down the stretch.

The Andy Katz bracketologist breakdown

But when the film-watchers and bracketologists sit down, the consensus evaporates. Andy Katz, one of the sport’s most seasoned national voices, has Clemson advancing in his bracket. That veteran view of the game is in stark contrast to the “X’s and O’s” crowd; analysts Aaron Purser and Kade Nix are both suggesting the Hawkeyes, noting Iowa’s consistency in scoring from the perimeter. Clemson’s balanced scoring makes them a defensive nightmare to scout, but the division among people who study the game for a living serves to cement a single truth: This game will probably be won by late-game execution, not pre-game anticipation.

Jimmy Fallon, AJ, Big Justice and The Rizzler make their call

The discussion has spread well beyond the film room and into the cultural influencers. Late-night host Jimmy Fallon has officially favored Iowa to move past the Tigers in the pick, a move echoed by viral creators AJ and Big Justice. The Rizzler, even, weighs in, but his barometer is more a throwover for the gorgeous chaos and randomness of March than any concrete, measured metric. Though they’re not predicated on the shooting percentage or the defense’s rotation, the pro ranks remain uncertain. When mainstream personalities are no more split than the experts, you know you’re on to a classic.

The Athlete’s Intuition

Iowa has garnered a solid following when it comes to baseball, with USA Baseball star Pete Crow-Armstrong and MLB standout Gunnar Henderson on the side of the Hawkeyes. Former Vanderbilt signal-caller Diego Pavia also joined the Iowa camp. And yet Tigers have some big hitters in their corner. Green Bay Packer All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons is supporting Clemson to pull the upset, along with Cleveland Browns star Quinshon Judkins. For these players, the decision is more on a gut-level determination of who can bear the pressure of the Big Dance than it is about an “all wait and see” mentality.