LSU (8-1) vs. SMU (8-2)
December 14, 2024 4:00 pm EDT
The Line: SMU -4.5; Over/Under: 154.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The LSU Tigers and the SMU Mustangs meet Saturday in college basketball action from Comerica Center. Here’s an SMU vs LSU prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best SMU vs LSU pick.
LSU Tigers Betting Preview
LSU beat LA-Monroe, Alabama State, Kansas State and Charleston Southern in their first trio before a loss to Pittsburgh. Since then the Tigers have recovered on wins versus UCF, Northwestern State, Florida State and Florida Gulf Coast.
Matched up against FGCU on Sunday, the Tigers jumped out to a 42-27 halftime edge. LSU was outscored 44-38 the rest of the way but ended up winning 80-71. Daimion Collins led the team with his 18 points and five rebounds.
SMU Mustangs Betting Preview
Over on the SMU side, they lost to Butler and Mississippi State with wins over Tarleton State, Florida A&M, UNC Greensboro and Prairie View in their first half-dozen outings. Wins over Cal Baptist, Washington State, Alabama State and Virginia have come since then.
Last weekend in the Virginia game, the Mustangs were up 30-28 going into the second half. SMU hit a 33-23 run the rest of the way in a 63-51 win. Kario Oquendo came off the bench to lead the team on 21 points with six rebounds.
Why the SMU Mustangs will win
- SMU has won each of its last four games.
- LSU has lost three of its last four games played at neutral venues.
- SMU has won the first half in 14 of its last 16 games against non-Conference opponents.
Why the LSU Tigers will win
- LSU has won eight of its last nine games.
- SMU has lost four of its last five games against the Southeastern Conference.
- LSU has won the first half in five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
SMU vs LSU Prediction
I’m staying with LSU. The Tigers are fresh off a fairly routine win over Florida Gulf Coast, hitting 50 percent from the field with 36 rebounds. The 14 turnovers didn’t help, but the experience was good for several guys down the bench. That makes 77 or more points in four straight games (all wins) for LSU.
As for SMU, they posted a middling 42.9 percent from the field against an even colder Virginia team (34 percent) alongside 12 turnovers in their last matchup. The 63 points wasn’t characteristic of the Mustangs this year, though; they’ve hit 70 points in every other outing so far. That said, LSU’s ceiling is higher. The Tigers should cover (and maybe win) this one if they play to their capabilities.
