SMU (19-10) vs East Carolina (14-15)
Game Info: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 8:00 pm (Moody Coliseum)
Betting Odds: SMU Mustangs -12.5 -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+
The East Carolina Pirates and the SMU Mustangs meet Wednesday in college basketball action from SMU Moody Coliseum. East Carolina is currently 14-15 so far this year following a loss to North Texas. As for SMU, they’re 19-10 and coming off a loss to UTSA over the weekend. Let’s get into our East Carolina vs. SMU prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Pick Dawgz.
East Carolina Pirates
The Pirates were 11-10 by the 21-game mark this year, but then took consecutive losses to South Florida and Charlotte. After three straight wins over UTSA, Wichita State and Tulane, East Carolina would then fall to Rice, Memphis and North Texas in the next trio.
Back on Sunday versus North Texas, the Pirates were down 40-29 going into the second half. East Carolina didn’t get any closer on a 44-40 run from there and lost 84-69. Brandon Johnson (eight rebounds) and RJ Felton (four rebounds) each scored a team-high 14 points in the defeat.
SMU Mustangs
Over on the Mustangs’ side, their season started on a 13-7 run through 20 games. SMU would beat Tulane, UAB, Rice, North Texas, Tulane and Memphis over the next six games. The last three have all been losses to Florida Atlantic, South Florida and UTSA, however.
Matched up against UTSA over the weekend, the Mustangs were up by two points in the locker room. SMU was outscored 43-37 the rest of the way and lost 77-73 in the end. Top scorer Zhuric Phelps finished with 18 points, and Jalen Smith added 15 points off the bench.
ANDREW’S FREE EAST CAROLINA VS SMU PREDICTION
I’m still going to lean SMU here. The Mustangs are flailing over their last three games and coming off another tough loss to UTSA. SMU shot just 38.4 percent from the field in that one and had 10 turnovers. If there’s good news it’s that the Mustangs have scored 68 or more points in 10 straight games, and Wednesday’s matchup should be a good opportunity for a W.
Back on January 13 in their last meeting, SMU took a 75-64 road win over the Pirates. The Mustangs held ECU to just 37.1 percent shooting from the field and 11.8 percent (2-of-17) from outside in that one. The Pirates will likely look better on offense in the rematch, but SMU should have the inside track for the home cover all the same.
Andrew’s Pick SMU Mustangs -12.5
AUTHOR: Andrew Jett
