Offense meets defense when the SMU Mustangs (8-3) welcome the Boise State Broncos (10-1) to Moody Coliseum. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, 2017, and will air on ESPNU.
SMU opened as a 7.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 132 points.
Boise State Broncos vs. SMU Mustangs ATS Prediction
The Broncos will be hoping for similar success after topping the Grand Canyon Antelopes in their last game, 85-80. Getting to the free throw line was one of Boise State’s largest strengths. They had 37 free throw attempts, while Grand Canyon had just 19. With 27 points on 10-for-23 shooting, Chandler Hutchison was the game’s leading scorer.
The last time the Mustangs played, they defeated the New Orleans Privateers, 79-66. The Mustangs, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 36.4, had a ridiculous mark of 39.3, while the Privateers had a free throw rate of 0.151 (below their season average of 0.247). Jimmy Whitt was the top scorer from either team with 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the prolific offense of SMU takes on the stingy defense of Boise State. The Mustangs rank 25th in offensive efficiency, while the Broncos are fourth in defensive efficiency.
Boise State holds records of 10-1 straight up (SU) and 6-4 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total high when the Broncos are involved, as seven of their 10 games have ended under the total.
Meanwhile, SMU owns records of 8-3 SU and 3-3 ATS. Coinciding with Boise State, Mustangs games also tend to finish under the total (66.7 percent).
After the Broncos won the lone contest against the Mustangs last season, 71-62, these teams will battle for the first time this year. The Broncos had a much better turnover percentage (12.6 vs. 19.8) and had a better free throw rate (0.259 vs. 0.200).
Boise State Broncos at SMU Mustangs Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – SMU, ATS Winner – Boise State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Boise State is 2-2 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over.
At home, SMU is 2-0 ATS with 1 over and 1 under.
Boise State averages 27.8 three pointers per game, which ranks 21st in the nation. SMU ranks 202nd in three pointers allowed per game (21.2).
The Mustangs rank 34th in assists per game (18.2) while the Broncos rank 116th (14.2).
Boise State ranks 26th in rebounds per game (40.5) while SMU ranks 93rd (35.3).
The Mustangs are 28th in the nation with 5.5 steals allowed per game while the Broncos are 60th with 5.7 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Boise State is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
SMU is 1-2 ATS with 2 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Broncos’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 17.6, up from 16.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mustangs have scored an average of 78.0 points per game (2.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (7.8 above their season average).
