It will be a battle between AAC opponents when the Connecticut Huskies (10-9, 3-3 AAC) welcome the SMU Mustangs (14-6, 4-3 AAC) to Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. The game will air on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 25, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 131 points with SMU opening as a 5.5-point favorite.
SMU Mustangs vs. Connecticut Huskies ATS Prediction
The last time the Mustangs played, they defeated the Tulane Green Wave, 73-62. The Mustangs had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 8.5 (better than their season average of 15.8) and held the Green Wave to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below their season average of 26.0). SMU received a boost from Shake Milton, who led the team in scoring with 20 points on 5-for-16 shooting.
The Huskies lost big to the No. 1 Villanova Wildcats in their last outing, 81-61. Villanova out-rebounded Connecticut. The Wildcats had 16 offensive rebounds and 48 total rebounds, while the Huskies had eight and 32, respectively. Connecticut’s Josh Carlton had 13 points and nine rebounds in the contest.
Connecticut might have difficulty finding the bottom of the net as they clash against one of the nation’s best defenses. SMU currently ranks 35th in defensive efficiency, while the Huskies rank 311th in offensive efficiency.
SMU comes into the game with records of 14-6 straight up (SU) and 7-8 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Mustangs’ games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Connecticut is 10-9 SU and 6-10 ATS. Huskies games also have a slight tendency to go under the O/U total (53.3 percent).
Christian Vital has averaged 16.6 points and 2.6 steals over the last five games for Connecticut.
After the Mustangs won both games against the Huskies last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the most recent game, SMU won 69-61. The Mustangs had a much better free throw rate (0.255 vs. 0.138) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.549 vs. 0.457).
SMU Mustangs vs. Connecticut Huskies ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – SMU, ATS Winner – SMU, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, SMU is 2-5 ATS with 4 overs and 3 unders.
At home, Connecticut is 2-5 ATS with 3 overs and 3 unders.
SMU ranks 33rd in assists per game (16.5) while Connecticut ranks 256th (9.7).
The Mustangs rank 37th in rebounds allowed per game (31.6) while the Huskies rank 211th (36.9).
SMU ranks 173rd in three pointers attempted per game (21.0) while Connecticut ranks 243rd in three pointers allowed per game (24.9).
The Mustangs rank 26th in steals per game (8.1) while the Huskies rank 87th (6.7).
Connecticut averages 3.9 blocks per game, which ranks 76th in the NCAA. SMU ranks 89th in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, SMU is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Connecticut is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Mustangs have been outscored by an average of 1.8 points in their last five games. On the season, SMU has defeated opponents by an average of 12.0 points.
During their last five games, the Huskies have scored an average of 61.8 points per game (6.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.8 points per game (6.2 below their season average).
