SMU Mustangs vs North Carolina Tar Heels NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/7/25
The Mustangs and Tar Heels are set to face off at 9:00 ET on ACCN. The Tar Heels will host the game at Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. This Atlantic Coast conference matchup has an over/under of 166.5 points, and North Carolina is favored to win by -6.5 at home vs. SMU.
SMU MUSTANGS VS NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS BETTING PICK
The Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels -6.5
This game will be played at Dean E. Smith Center at 9:00 ET on Tuesday, January 7th.
WHY BET THE NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Tar Heels.
- Not only will North Carolina pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -6.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 166.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.
Can the Mustangs Offense Score Enough in Chapel Hill?
SMU Mustangs Recent Game/Games
SMU dropped to 11-3 on the season after a tough 89-62 home loss to Duke on Saturday. Entering the game as +8 underdogs, the Mustangs not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.
After trailing 41-32 at halftime, SMU struggled in the second half, scoring just 30 points while allowing 48. The total points for the game hit 151, going over the pre-game O/U line of 148.5.
SMU struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 34.3% from the field and 23.8% from beyond the arc, hitting only 5 of 21 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 38.8%, and they connected on just 44% of their free throws, going 11 for 25 from the line.
Cooper Flagg led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 58.3% from the field and hitting both of his three-point attempts. Boopie Miller added 21 points, knocking down 3 of 5 from deep, while Tyrese Proctor contributed 14 points, hitting 4 of 7 from three-point range.
Despite SMU’s defensive efforts, they gave up 89 points while holding their opponent to just 34% shooting from the field. The Mustangs limited the damage from beyond the arc, allowing only 5 three-pointers on 21 attempts, a 23% shooting rate.
SMU sent their opponent to the free-throw line 25 times, where they converted 11 shots for 44%. The Mustangs also allowed 21 offensive rebounds in the game.
Will the Tar Heels Defense Show Up at Home?
North Carolina improved to 9-6 on the season with a narrow 74-73 win over Notre Dame on Saturday. The Tar Heels were favored by four points going into the game but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 147, falling short of the 155.5 over/under line.
UNC led 39-32 at halftime but allowed Notre Dame to score 41 points in the second half, while they managed 35 points of their own.
North Carolina’s offense put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 52.9% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 58.8%. They were dominant inside, hitting 70% of their two-point attempts (21/30), while struggling from beyond the arc, connecting on just 28.6% (6/21) of their threes. At the free-throw line, they shot 77.8% (14/18).
Ian Jackson led the way with 27 points, shooting 61.1% overall, though he was just 2/7 from three. Markus Burton added 23 points in 23 minutes, despite missing all 3 of his three-point attempts. Braeden Shrewsberry contributed 16 points, hitting 4/11 from deep, while Tae Davis chipped in 17 points, going 0/1 from three.
North Carolina’s defense gave up 73 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 43% from the field, hitting 25 of 57 shots. Inside the arc, they allowed 52% shooting, with 18 of 34 two-point attempts going in.
From three-point range, North Carolina’s defense held their opponents to 30% shooting, with 7 made threes on 23 attempts. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 21 times, where they hit 16, shooting 76%. The Tar Heels allowed 12 offensive rebounds.