The North Texas Mean Green and the SMU Mustangs meet in college basketball action from the Moody Coliseum on Sunday afternoon. Who comes out on top in this AAC clash? Let’s dive in and find out with our North Texas vs. SMU Prediction.
North Texas Team Preview
The North Texas Mean Green come into this one looking to build on a 68-55 win over Tulsa last time out. Jason Edwards leads North Texas in scoring with 18 PPG while Aaron Scott has 12 PPG with 6.1 RPG and Rubin Jones has 11.7 PPG with 3 RPG and a team-high 3.8 APG to lead the Mean Green in assists while rounding out the group of double-digit scorers for North Texas so far this season. Robert Allen also has a team-high 7.5 RPG as well to lead North Texas on the glass. As a team, North Texas is averaging 67.3 PPG on 43% shooting from the field, 36.1% shooting from three and 71.7% from the foul line this season.
SMU Team Preview
The SMU Mustangs come into this one looking to extend their three-game win streak after a 95-69 win over Rice last time out. Zhuric Phelps leads the Mustangs in scoring with 14.6 PPG with 4.3 RPG and 2.8 APG while Chuck Harris has 13 PPG as the only other double-digit scorer for SMU up to this point in the year. Samuell Williamson leads SMU in rebounding with 7.4 RPG while the aforementioned Harris has a team-high 3.6 APG to lead SMU in the assist department this season. As a team, SMU is averaging 76.4 PPG on 46.1% shooting from the field, 33.9% from three and 69% from the foul line this season. SMU will meet Tulane after this one.
North Texas vs. SMU Prediction
I’m on the under here. I think this is a defensive battle the entire way as North Texas’ offense stinks up against the most efficient defense in the AAC in SMU. On the other side, SMU’s offense is efficient, but they struggle to shoot anywhere other than 2-point range and North Texas has the best 2-point defense in the conference. I think this is first to 60 wins, so give me the under.