UAB Blazers (14-7) vs. SMU Mustangs (14-7)
February 4, 2024 6:00 pm EDT
The Line: SMU Mustangs -9.5; Over/Under: 149
(Get latest betting odds)
The UAB Blazers and the SMU Mustangs meet Sunday in college basketball action from SMU Moody Coliseum. UAB enters this one at 14-7 overall. The Blazers beat North Texas in their last outing. As for SMU, they’re sitting at 14-7 as well following a win over Tulane on Thursday. Let’s get into our UAB vs. SMU prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
UAB Blazers
The Blazers posted a sketchy 4-5 run to start the year, then beat Alabama A&M, Montevallo, Drake, UNC Asheville, UTSA and South Florida in succession. Since then it’s been a 4-2 run for UAB with wins over Tulane, East Carolina, Memphis and North Texas in that time.
On Wednesday versus North Texas, the Blazers were in trouble with a 35-26 deficit by halftime. UAB fought back to force overtime with 46 second-half points though, and eventually won 82-79. Tops in scoring was Efrem Johnson with 18 points, three rebounds and three assists.
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SMU Mustangs
Over on the Mustangs’ side, they hit a 6-4 start to the year, then beat Florida State, Houston Christian, Murray State, Charlotte, East Carolina, Temple and Tulsa in the next eight. Following losses to North Texas and Wichita State in the next pair, SMU beat Tulane on Thursday.
Matched up against the Green Wave in their last game, the Mustangs were up by six points coming into the second half. SMU kept the pace on 42 more points from there and took the victory 80-76. Tyreek Smith put up 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists to lead the team.
ANDREW’S FREE UAB VS SMU PREDICTION
I’ll stick with SMU. The Mustangs are coming off a pretty solid win over a decent Tulane team, despite shooting a tepid 40.8 percent from the field with 23.1 percent (6-of-26) from 3-point range. The rebounding (52-33) was what saved SMU in that one. The Mustangs have scored well lately with 72 or more points in five of their last six games. They’re playing well at home also; SMU hasn’t lost at Moody since November 29 (Dayton).
That’s not to say the Mustangs won’t have their hands full with UAB. The Blazers have scored a nice 69 or more points in 12 straight games—a 10-2 run. This should be a really great matchup to watch, and I like SMU to power out the cover in the end. You could make a case either way, though.
