SMU vs North Carolina Prediction College Basketball Picks 1/7/25

In this article, we will formulate an SMU vs North Carolina prediction for this College Basketball game on Tuesday, January 7th at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

SMU Mustangs Betting Preview

The SMU Mustangs are 11-3 (2-1) this season after they lost to Duke by a score of 89-62 in their last game. SMU trailed 41-32 at halftime and allowed 48 more points in the second half for the blowout loss. The Mustangs shot 34.3% from the field, 23.8% on three-pointers, and 44% on free throws in the game. Boopie Miller led SMU with 21 points and five assists, while Matt Cross added 11 points and eight rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Mustangs defeated Longwood by a score of 98-82 and Boston College by a score of 103-77. SMU has won seven of its last eight games, including wins over BC, LSU, and Virginia. SMU has scored 85.4 points per game and they have allowed 72.1 points per game, while also averaging 40.9 rebounds and 16.3 assists per game this season. Boopie Miller is averaging 15.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, while Chuck Harris is averaging 11.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game this year. SMU is shooting 48.4% from the field, 72.7% on free throws, and 38% on three-pointers this season. 

North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 9-6 (2-1) this year after they defeated Notre Dame by a score of 74-73 in their last game. North Carolina led 39-32 at halftime, but they allowed 41 points in the second half and needed a four-point play with five seconds left for the win. The Tar Heels shot 52.9% from the field, 28.6% on three-pointers, and 77.8% on free throws in the game. Ian Jackson led North Carolina with 27 points and six rebounds, while Elliot Cadeau added 10 points and six assists in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Tar Heels lost to Louisville by a score of 83-70 but did beat Campbell by a score of 97-81 before that. North Carolina has won three of their last four games but did lose to Florida by a score of 90-84 before that. North Carolina has scored 84.6 points per game and they have allowed 79.2 points per game, while also averaging 37.9 rebounds and 14.1 assists per game this season. RJ Davis is averaging 17.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, while Ian Jackson is averaging 14.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game this year. North Carolina is shooting 47.4% from the field, 74.7% on free throws, and 31.4% on three-pointers this season. 

Why North Carolina will beat SMU

• North Carolina has won 17 of its last 18 games at Dean E. Smith Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

SMU vs North Carolina Prediction 

North Carolina comes into this matchup after barely escaping with a win against Notre Dame on Saturday, but they will be back at home here. The Tar Heels already have six losses on the season, but four of the six were against ranked teams. UNC does have a very solid offensive attack, but they are allowing nearly 80 points per game on defense. SMU was just blown out at home by Duke, but they are shooting 48.4% from the field and scoring 85.4 points per game this season. The Mustangs have played pretty well so far this year, but they don’t have a very strong win yet, as their best wins are against LSU and Virginia. If this game was at SMU, I would feel different, but give me the Tar Heels at home.