If you haven’t been paying attention this season, then you may have missed just how damn good the SMU Mustangs have been. SMU enters the NCAAB tournament with a nation-best 23-6 ATS record, which is good for a 79.3 percent cover rate. The Mustangs will have their hands full when they take on the resilient USC Trojans in their Round of 64 game Friday.
- SMU is 10-0 SU in its last 10 games against teams with winning records.
- USC is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games after a win.
- SMU is 13-2 ATS in its last 15 games.
The Mustangs pretty much do everything well. They play excellent defense and have held teams to 59.9 ppg, they shoot 40.6 percent from beyond the arc and average the second-fewest fouls in the country. Semi Ojeleye is the key player, as the former Duke recruit averages 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while being one of the best volume shooters in the nation.
The Trojans certainly didn’t make it easy on themselves in their First Four game against Providence, as they had to overcome a second-half 17-point deficit to pick up the win. But this has been par for the course for USC, as that comeback was the program’s 12th this season of 10 or more points. Guard Jordan McLaughlin continued his offensive assault in that outing and has averaged 17 points, 7 assists and 5.6 rebounds in the past five.
USC Trojans vs Southern Methodist Mustangs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Southern Methodist Mustangs battles the USC Trojans, currently sitting with a 25-9 mark (17-16 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, always important for totals betting, are 16-13 for the Southern Methodist Mustangs and 16-17 for the USC Trojans.
The Southern Methodist Mustangs sit at No. 20 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the USC Trojans sit at No. 145 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Southern Methodist's No. 119-ranked offense, averaging 74.53 PPG, against a Trojans defense that ranks No. 160 at 73.12 PPG. The Mustangs field goal percentage has averaged 47.37% so far, more than the Trojans marksmen have achieved on the year, 45.28% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Bennie Boatwright scored 24 points leading the Trojans to a 75-71 victory over Providence at UD Arena on Wednesday.
The Mustangs got 18 points from Sterling Brown as Southern Methodist ran past Cincinnati 71-56 on Sunday at XL Center.
