Cincinnati vs SMU 1/6/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The SMU Mustangs and Cincinnati Bearcats meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Fifth Third Arena. The SMU Mustangs look to build on their eight-game winning streak. The Cincinnati Bearcats look for a win after winning five of their last seven games.

The SMU Mustangs are averaging 78.3 points on 46.4 percent shooting and allowing 68 points on 39.4 percent shooting. Kendric Davis is averaging 21.5 points and 4.9 rebounds, while Marcus Weathers is averaging 10.4 points and 1.6 assists. Emmanuel Bandoumel is the third double-digit scorer and Zach Nutall is grabbing 4.1 rebounds. The SMU Mustangs are shooting 37.1 percent from beyond the arc and 74.4 percent from the free throw line. The SMU Mustangs are allowing 30.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.4 rebounds per game.

The Cincinnati Bearcats are averaging 70.1 points on 41.8 percent shooting and allowing 60.6 points on 37.4 percent shooting. Jeremiah Davenport is averaging 12.9 points and 0.8 assists, while David DeJulius is averaging 12.1 points and 2.8 rebounds. Mika Adams-Woods is dishing 3.5 assists and Mike Saunders is grabbing 2.4 rebounds. The Cincinnati Bearcats are shooting 28.6 percent from beyond the arc and 65.2 percent from the free throw line. The Cincinnati Bearcats are allowing 29 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.3 rebounds per game.

The Mustangs are 5-12-1 ATS in their last 18 road games and 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Bearcats are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 home games and 25-51-2 ATS in their last 78 games overall. The over is 5-1 in Mustangs last 6 overall. The under is 8-2 in Bearcats last 10 overall. The underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

The Cincinnati Bearcats are playing good ball at the moment, they get after it defensively, and it’s never easy to win at the Fifth Third Arena with the crowd and defensive pressure. With that said, it’s not crazy to say the SMU Mustangs are the more talented team here and can make a case as the best team in the AAC. Getting SMU in the underdog role against anybody has value, as this is a wonderful basketball team. So, I have to side with the free bucket.