SMU vs. Cincinnati Pick
Will No. 19 Cincinnati have any trouble at home when the Bearcats host SMU tonight at 6PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Cincinnati is favored at home, as the Bearcats are getting odds of -7.5 points against SMU. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 129.5 points. Tonight’s game takes place from BB&T Arena in Highland Heights, Kentucky and will air live on ESPN2.
SMU had a five-game win streak snapped this week in a 73-70 loss at Tulane. The Mustangs are 12-4 overall, 2-1 in the AAC and 5-5-1 against the spread. The Mustangs are 1-2-1 against the spread in their last four games. SMU is scoring 75.2 points per game on offense while giving up 59.8 per game on defense. The Mustangs are being led by Shake Milton, who is averaging 17.2 points and 4.6 assists per game. Jarrey Foster is adding 13.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest.
Cincinnati is on a six-game win streak right now, including a 55-53 win at Temple earlier this week. The Bearcats are 13-2 overall, 2-0 in the AAC and 6-6 against the spread. Cincy is putting up 79.2 points per game this season while holding opponents to 58.7 points per contest. Jacob Evans is putting up 13.5 points per game to lead the Bearcats while Gary Clark adds 12.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
SMU has won and covered in its last two meetings with the Bearcats. SMU has actually covered in three straight meetings. However, I like the Bearcats to end that skid today. SMU has struggled on the road defensively, giving up 83.5 points per game thus far. That will be a problem if its defense falters today. Cincinnati will have a great defensive effort at home and the Mustangs must match that. I don’t think they can. The public betting is backing SMU, but I like Cincinnati to cover.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: CINCINNATI -7.5