SMU Mustangs vs Louisville Cardinals NCAAB Betting Pick & Prediction for 1/31
The SMU Mustangs are gearing up to take on the #20 Louisville Cardinals in an Atlantic Coast conference game. This game will be held at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Fans can catch the action on ESPN at 2:00 PM ET this Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Louisville enters the game as the favorite with a spread of -9.5, while the Mustangs are the underdog at +9.5. The Cardinals hold a season record of 14-6, while the Mustangs have a slightly better record at 15-5. Both teams are looking to make a strong impression in this conference matchup.
SMU Mustangs vs Louisville Cardinals Game Day Info
- Sport: College Basketball
- Teams: SMU Mustangs vs Louisville Cardinals
- Venue: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville KY
- Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET
- Betting Odds: SMU Mustangs Spread +9.5 (-111), Louisville Cardinals Spread -9.5 (-112), SMU MoneyLine +350, Louisville MoneyLine -509, Over/Under 161.5
SMU Mustangs Team Preview
The SMU Mustangs have shown strength in their recent games. They secured a close win against Florida State with a score of 83-80. Jaron Pierre Jr. stood out with 28 points and a field goal percentage of 61.1%.
On the road, the Mustangs defeated Wake Forest 91-79. B.J. Edwards played well, scoring 24 points and contributing 7 assists. Their field goal percentage of 50.0% helped them in this game.
SMU’s season stats reflect their competitive nature. They average 87.2 points per game, ranking them 20th. Their field goal percentage of 49.4% places them 26th, showcasing their efficient scoring abilities.
Louisville Cardinals Team Preview
The Louisville Cardinals have had a mixed season so far, with a record of 14-6. They rank 20th in the AP poll and have shown strength at home with a 10-2 record. Their most recent game was a tough loss to the Duke Blue Devils, ending with a score of 83-52.
On offense, the Cardinals average 86 points per game, ranking 27th in the nation. They make an impressive 11.9 three-pointers per game, placing them 12th in that category. However, their field goal percentage is 46.2%, which ranks 139th.
Player stats highlight Ryan Conwell as a key contributor, averaging 19.4 points per game. J’Vonne Hadley also stands out with 10.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. The team struggles defensively with only 7.2 steals per game, ranking 547th.
BTB Betting Pick
The spread for the game is Louisville -9.5. SMU averages more points per game with 87.2 compared to Louisville’s 86.0. Given SMU’s strong scoring and Louisville’s average defensive stats, SMU +9.5 is the pick. The projected score is close, so SMU should cover the spread.
The over/under is set at 161.5. Both teams score over 86 points per game, indicating a high-scoring game. With SMU’s fast-paced offense and Louisville’s strong 3-point shooting, the game should go over 161.5 points. The projected total score suggests a high-scoring affair.