In this article, we will formulate an SMU vs Northern Iowa prediction for this College Basketball game on Wednesday, March 19 at the Moody Coliseum in Dallas, TX. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the 1st Round of the NIT. The winner of this game will meet Oklahoma State in the 2nd Round.
Northern Iowa Betting Preview
The Northern Iowa Panthers (20-12, 19-12 ATS) concluded the regular season with two losses in three games. Those defeats came to Draka and Bradley, both of which played in the conference tournament finals. Northern Iowa entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed but lost the first game to Valparaiso in the quarterfinals.
Northern Iowa averages 73.6 PPG (199th) and allows 67.2 PPG (46th). The Panthers are 339th in rebounds (33.1) and 182nd in assists (13.9). Tytan Anderson leads the team with 15.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.1 SPG. Jacob Hutson follows him with 11.7 PPG and 4.4 RPG, while Trey Campbell chips in 11.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, a team-high 2.9 APG, and 1.4 SPG.
SMU Mustangs Betting Preview
The SMU Mustangs (23-10, 16-16-1 ATS) entered the ACC tournament in a hot and cold form as they lost four of the final seven regular-season games. The Mustangs took the No. 6 seed for the tourney and dismantled Syracuse in the second round but fell short to Clemson in a narrow 57-54 defeat in the quarterfinals.
SMU is averaging 80.0 PPG (40th) and is allowing 71.1 PPG (151st). The Mustangs are getting 38.4 RPG (50th) and dish out 15.6 APG (69th). Boopie Miller is the team’s top performer with 13.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, a team-high 5.5 APG, and a team-high 1.6 SPG. Chuck Harris has 12.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 2.4 APG, while Matt Cross contributes 11.9 PPG, a team-high 7.8 RPG, and 1.2 SPG.
Why Northern Iowa will beat SMU
- Northern Iowa has won five of its last six night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- SMU has lost three of its last four National Invitation Tournament night games.
Why SMU will beat Northern Iowa
- SMU has won 13 of its last 14 night games at Moody Coliseum (Dallas) against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Northern Iowa has lost five of its last six games when playing with a rest advantage.
- Northern Iowa has lost the first half in four of its last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of SMU’s last six night games against non-conference opponents at Moody Coliseum (Dallas) has produced a total of 149+ points.
- Each of Northern Iowa’s last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 129 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- SMU ranks 26th among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (104.5).
- SMU ranks 26th among Division 1 teams for points per possession this season (1.17).
- Northern Iowa ranks 26th among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (10.6).
- Northern Iowa ranks 28th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (10.8).
SMU vs Northern Iowa Prediction
The all-time series between these teams is tied at 1-1, but the previous H2H was played in 2017. SMU is a better team here and I believe it will come away victorious, but I will avoid betting on the spread as I don’t like the numbers. Six of Northern Iowa’s last ten games went Under, including each of the past four, while that occurred in seven of SMU’s last ten games and in each of the previous five. Northern Iowa has hit the Team Total Under in 15 of its last 21 games, while SMU has hit the Team Total Under in 19 of its previous 34 games. I don’t see Northern Iowa scoring more than 65 points. Go with Under.