SMU vs Cal Baptist Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/26/24

The SMU Mustangs and the California Baptist Lancers meet Tuesday in college basketball action from Acrisure Stadium. Here’s an SMU vs Cal Baptist prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best SMU vs Cal Baptist pick. We will examine:

The SMU Mustangs’ recent form and player performance

The California Baptist Lancers’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the SMU Mustangs

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the California Baptist Lancers

Recent betting trends in games played between SMU and Cal Baptist

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the SMU vs Cal Baptist game

SMU Mustangs Betting Preview

The Mustangs’ season got off to a pretty solid 4-1 start through five games. SMU’s lone loss in that time was an 81-70 affair versus Butler. Otherwise, it was a series of four victories over Tarleton State, Florida A&M, UNC Greensboro, and Prairie View.

On Saturday in their latest matchup versus Mississippi State, the Mustangs took another loss. SMU did well in the first half with a 38-33 edge but got outscored 51-41 from there for an 84-79 loss. Kario Oquendo was the team’s leading scorer on 13 points and three boards. SMU will take on Alabama State and Virginia after this one.

Cal Baptist Lancers Betting Preview

Over on the Lancers’ side, they’ve got two losses through six games thus far. California Baptist has dropped to UC Riverside 70-69 and Northern Colorado 79-68. Otherwise, it was wins over Incarnate Word, Kennesaw State, and LIU in the first five outings.

Game six was another win for the Lancers, this time versus Eastern Washington. California Baptist was up 41-32 at halftime, then scored another 38 points for a 79-68 finish. Both Dominique Daniels and Martel Williams finished on a team-high 15 points with three boards each. Cal Baptist will play against UCF and San Diego State following this game.

Why the California Baptist Lancers will win

• SMU has lost three of its last four games played at neutral venues.

Why the SMU Mustangs will win

• California Baptist has lost four of its last five night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• SMU has won three of its last four games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
• California Baptist has lost the first half in each of its last five night games played at neutral venues.

SMU vs California Baptist Prediction

I’ll lean toward SMU. The Mustangs faded in the second half against a good Mississippi State team in their last outing, eventually shooting a tepid 23-of-34 (67.6 percent) from the line with a 37-33 rebounding deficit (16-6 offensive) and 13 turnovers. The good news is that SMU was hot from the field, shooting 51.1 percent. The Mustangs have scored 70 or more points in all six games so far and should hit that threshold here as well.

As for Cal Baptist, they’ve been no slouches when it comes to scoring either. The Lancers have hit 68 or more points in all six games, and 79 or more points in all four of their wins. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a fairly high total here if both teams are playing to their capabilities. In the end, I like SMU to pull away and cover late, though.