The SMU Mustangs and West Virginia Mountaineers face off on Monday in the Fort Myers Tip-Off in a college basketball showdown at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
SMU Coming Off Disappointing Loss
SMU sits with a 3-1 record, but the defense really let them down in the last game. Against Texas A&M, SMU scored 66 points while the defense gave up 79 points on the way to the defeat. Guard Chuck Harris put up 21 points, two rebounds, and one assist. In the three wins, the offense was good, but the defense is going to need to be good. SMU on the season is averaging 79 points while their defense is giving up 65.5 points per game. They are averaging 68.3 field goals per game, which is 21st. Guard Chuck Harris is averaging 14.2 points while shooting 47.5 percent from the field.
Is this West Virginia Squad Bad?
West Virginia comes into this game with a 2-1 record, but there have to be some concerns about if this team is actually bad. Two games ago against Monmouth, West Virginia was defeated 73-65. In the last game against Jacksonville State, West Virginia’s defense gave up only 57 points, and they ended up losing by 13 points. Guard Kobe Johnson had a strong game, putting up 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Quinn Slazinski is averaging 17.3 points while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the three point line. West Virginia has played only eight players so far this season.
Shane’s Free Pick
SMU is going to bounce back in a big way here. West Virginia two games ago lost by eight points to Monmouth. And they are going to struggle again here. SMU is averaging 79 points, and they are going to have no issue running up the score here. West Virginia is going to struggle to keep up with the offense and that will be the difference as SMU is going to get the job done. Back SMU against the spread.
