The SMU Mustangs (12-6, 2-3 AAC) head to Wichita State to take on the No. 7 Shockers (15-2, 5-0 AAC) in a matchup that pits great offense against exceptional defense. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, and will air on ESPNU.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 141 points with Wichita State opening as a 9.5-point favorite.
SMU Mustangs at Wichita State Shockers Free Prediction
The Mustangs are trying to rebound after their 66-64 loss to the Temple Owls in their last game. Temple’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over SMU. The Owls had a rate of 34.3 (above their season average of 28.8), while the Mustangs posted a mark of 26.3 (below their season average of 35.1). Malik Milton was the top scorer from either team with 25 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
The last time the Shockers played, they won a close one over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 72-69. The Shockers knocked down 12 of their 15 free throws (80.0 percent) and held the Golden Hurricane to an offensive rebounding percentage of 11.8 (below their season average of 30.9). Conner Frankamp led Wichita State in scoring with 16 points on 6-for-15 shooting.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Wichita State (11th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 119.8) takes on the top-notch defense of SMU (23rd in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 93.5). Furthermore, the Mustangs are among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 47th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.5 percent). The Shockers, meanwhile, rank sixth in defensive rebounding percentage (77.6 percent).
SMU holds records of 12-6 straight up (SU) and 6-7 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Mustangs games, with 7 unders compared to 6 overs.
Meanwhile, Wichita State is 15-2 SU and 7-8 ATS. Shockers games also have a slight tendency to go under the O/U total (53.3 percent).
SMU Mustangs at Wichita State Shockers Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Wichita State, ATS Winner – SMU, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Wichita State ranks fourth in rebounds per game (42.0) while SMU ranks 173rd (35.2).
The Mustangs rank 28th in steals per game (8.0) while the Shockers rank 188th (4.8).
Wichita State averages 19.0 assists per game, which ranks fifth in the nation. SMU ranks 78th in assists allowed per game (12.4).
The Shockers rank 82nd in three pointers attempted per game (23.9) while the Mustangs rank 152nd in three pointers allowed per game (22.6).
Wichita State ranks 42nd in blocks per game (4.7) while SMU ranks 82nd (3.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Mustangs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 12.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Shockers have scored an average of 83.0 points per game (1.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 62.2 points per game (6.1 below their season average).
