Duke (11-2) vs. SMU (11-2)
January 4, 2025 2:15 pm EDT
The Line: SMU +7.5; Over/Under: +150
(Get latest betting odds)
The Duke Blue Devils and the SMU Mustangs meet Saturday in college basketball action from Moody Coliseum. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an SMU vs Duke Prediction.
Duke Recap
The Duke Blue Devils come into this game looking to add to their 88-65 win over the Virginia Tech Hokies last time out to improve to 11-2 on the year. After this game, Duke will head home for a matchup against the Pitt Panthers.
Blue Devils Looking For 8th Straight Win
Cooper Flagg leads Duke across the board in scoring, rebounding, and assists with 16.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 3.7 APG while Kon Kneuppel has 12.2 PPG with 3.5 RPG and 2.8 APG as well this season. Tyrese Proctor has 11.4 PPG with 3.5 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Duke so far this season. Isaiah Evans has 9 PPG while Sion James has 8 PPG with 4.5 RPG and Khaman Maluach has 7.9 PPG with 5.2 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Duke is averaging 79.6 PPG on 46.9% shooting from the field, 35.6% from three, and 75.1% from the foul line this season.
Why the Duke Blue Devils will win
- Duke has won each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- SMU has lost each of its last seven games against AP-ranked opponents.
SMU Recap
The SMU Mustangs come into this game looking to add to their 98-82 win over Longwood last time out. After this game, SMU will head on the road to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Mustangs Win 7th In A Row
Boopie Miller leads the Mustangs in scoring and assists with 15.4 PPG and 5.9 APG while Chuck Harris has 12.2 PPG and Matt Cross has 10.7 PPG with a team-high 8.2 RPG to lead the Mustangs on the glass up to this point in the year. Karlo Oquendo has 10.2 PPG and B.J. Edwards has 10.2 PPG with 3.9 RPG and 3.5 APG along with 2.4 SPG as well on the year to cap off the scoring in double figures for SMU so far this season. Samet Yigitoglu has 9.8 PPG with 6 RPG and Yohan Traore has 8.9 PPG with 5.1 RPG. As a team, SMU is averaging 87.2 PPG on 49.6% shooting from the field, 39.1% from three, and 74.9% from the foul line this season.
Why the SMU Mustangs will win
- SMU has won each of its last seven games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of SMU’s last six day games against AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 145 or fewer points.
- Eleven of Duke’s last 12 road day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
SMU vs Duke Prediction
I’m on SMU here. I think Duke is a formidable team for sure that’s going to be at the top of the ACC as they are more often than not. However, this is also an SMU team that’s replicating the same kind of success the football team had this season It’s probably going to fly a bit under the radar in the ACC this season. If this game’s at Cameron Indoor, I’d have a much easier time being talked to Duke, but I think the Moody Coliseum is going to be rocking for this game. I think at worst SMU keeps it close so give me SMU and the points.
