Pick details
| MATCHUP | VMI Keydets | SMU Mustangs |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Spread | +24.5 -108 | -24.5 -112 |
| Moneyline | +2200 | -8000 |
| Total | Over 160.5 (-108) | Under 160.5 (-112) |
| Where | Moody Coliseum (Dallas), Dallas, TX | |
| When | Thursday, November 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ACCNX | |
VMI vs SMU Prediction
In this VMI vs SMU Prediction, SMU is coming as -24.5 home favorites. Both teams are coming off wins in their opening games of the season, but their competition was on a whole different level, as SMU won an NCAA team by double digits at home, whilr VMI won by 32 points at home, but conceded 83 by a non-NCAA team. SMU is projected as #61 for the upcoming College Basketball Season, while VMI is projected as #341 and are coming off an atrocious season where they won just one game and were one of the worst ATS teams in the whole country, with an 8-21 against the spread record. SMU will have no problem at home in this matchup as this sets up for a major blowout. Take SMU and lay the big number at home.
SMU Mustangs Preview
The SMU Mustangs have a 1-0 overall record and a 1-0 home record. They are coming off a 85-72 home win against Southern and will face Prairie View A&M and Ball State next.
Offensively, they are averaging 85.0 points per game (ranking 126th in the nation), while allowing 72.0 points per game defensively (184th). They have a 112.5 offensive rating (ranking 166th) and a 95.3 defensive rating (162nd). The Mustangs are shooting 51.1% from the field (ranking 90th in the nation) and 41.2% from beyond the arc (71st), while grabbing 33.0 rebounds per game (243rd in the nation) and averaging 21.0 assists per game (57th). They have 7.0 blocks per game (28th in the nation) and 11.0 steals per game (69th).
Jakub Szumert leads SMU in scoring, averaging 24.0 ppg on 83.3% shooting from the field, adding 7.0 rebounds. Jermaine O’Neal follows with 15.0 ppg on 75.0% shooting from the field and 4.0 rebounds per game, while Oziyah Sellers adds 13.0 ppg on 37.5% shooting from the field and 4.0 rebounds per game.
VMI Keydets Preview
The VMI Keydets have a 1-0 overall record and a 0-0 away record. They are coming off a 115-83 home win against VU Lynchburg and will face UTSA and North Carolina Central next .
Offensively, they are averaging 115.0 points per game (ranking 14th in the nation), while allowing 83.0 points per game defensively (256th). They have a 129.6 offensive rating (ranking 55th) and a 93.5 defensive rating (152nd). The Keydets are shooting 48.3% from the field (ranking 133rd in the nation) and 40.9% from beyond the arc (76th), while grabbing 56.0 rebounds per game (18th in the nation) and averaging 27.0 assists per game (12th). They have 4.0 blocks per game (122nd in the nation) and 11.0 steals per game (69th).
TJ Johnson leads VMI in scoring, averaging 17.0 ppg on 54.5% shooting from the field, adding 2 rebounds. Alexander Daushvili follows with 15.0 ppg on 85.7% shooting from the field and 7.0 rebounds per game, while Rokas Zilys adds 14.0 ppg on 62.5% shooting from the field and 3.0 rebounds per game.
VMI Keydets @ SMU Mustangs Betting Trends: November 5, 2026
Why the SMU Mustangs will win
- SMU has won each of its last nine night games against non-Conference opponents at Moody Coliseum (Dallas).
- VMI has lost 17 of its last 18 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- VMI has lost the first half in 16 of its last 18 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the VMI Keydets will win
- VMI has won six of its last eight night games against non-Conference opponents.
- SMU has lost three of its last four night games.
- SMU has lost the first half in three of its last four night games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of VMI’s last six road games against the Atlantic Coast Conference have produced a total of 157 or fewer points.
- Eleven of SMU’s last 13 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at Moody Coliseum (Dallas) have produced a total of 161+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- SMU ranks T10th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (40.0).
- SMU ranks T356th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (45.0).
- VMI ranks T4th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goals made per game this season (18.0).
- VMI ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (44.0).
Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: SMU -24.5
