The SMU Mustangs will play the UCF Knights in the first round of the AAC Tournament on Thursday afternoon at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
SMU Preview
The SMU Mustangs are 10-21 (5-13) this season after they lost to Cincinnati by a score of 97-74 in their last game. SMU shot 40.3% from the field and made 21 free throws in the game. The SMU Mustangs are averaging 70.3 points per game, 75.5 points against per game, 34.9 rebounds per game, and 13.5 assists per game. Zhuric Phelps has led the Mustangs this season with 17.3 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game. SMU is shooting 42.2% from the field, 66.8% on free throws, and 31.1% on three pointers this year.
UCF Preview
The UCF Knights are 17-13 (8-10) this season after they defeated East Carolina by a score of 84-58 in their last game. UCF shot 50.9% from the field and made 9 three pointers in the win. The UCF Knights are averaging 72 points per game, 65.3 points against per game, 34.9 rebounds per game, and 14 assists per game. Taylor Hendricks has led the Knights this season with 15.6 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, and 1.7 blocks per game. UCF is shooting 42.9% from the field, 77.2% on free throws, and 35.9% on three pointers this year.
Trends
SMU is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 3-9 ATS in their last 12 Thursday games. The over is 9-1 in SMU’s last 10 neutral site games. UCF is 22-10 ATS in their last 32 neutral site games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games. The over is 8-3-1 in UCF’s last 12 games.
Pick
SMU comes into this game on a three game losing streak and they have allowed 97 and 81 points in their last two games. UCF has won two of their last three games and held their last three opponents to 58, 57, and 49 points. Both teams have a similar shooting percentage and average the same amount of rebounds, but the UCF defense is going to be the difference here. I like the Knights.