The SMU Mustangs (6-8, 1-0 AAC) will try to break down the nation’s top scoring defense when they head to face the No. 2 Houston Cougars (14-1, 2-0 AAC) on Thursday. SMU outplayed the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 92-67 at Moody Coliseum on Sunday. Samuell Williamson was the key player with 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Houston won their fifth in a row on Saturday at Fertitta Center, beating the UCF Knights 71-65. Tramon Mark had 19 points and six rebounds to lead the team. The Cougars dropped to third in the American Athletic Conference. It’s the only meeting of the season between the teams. SMU and Houston split their matchups last season, each team taking one game.
The Cougars earned the win in the last meeting 75-61 at Fertitta Center in February 2022. Fabian White Jr. led the Cougars with 21 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Kendric Davis had 19 points in the loss.
The Mustangs have been led this season by Zhuric Phelps, who is averaging 18.4 points per game. Phelps also has dished 2.6 assists per game. Meanwhile, Efe Odigie is grabbing 7.2 rebounds.Marcus Sasser has been the primary provider for the Cougars on offense, averaging 15.9 points per game.
J’Wan Roberts is collecting 7.1 rebounds per game, and Jamal Shead is recording 5.5 assists. The Cougars rank as the top scoring defense in the nation with 50.9 points per game allowed.
The Cougars have had success in the Mustangs’ last 10 trips to Fertitta Center, winning seven. In the last 10 games, SMU is 4-6 with an average margin of +0.6 (72.2-71.6). Houston has gone 9-1 over the last 10, scoring 72.9 points per game on average while holding opponents to 52.3 (+20.6 margin).
MUSTANGS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Keon Ambrose-Hylton: 10.0 | 5.7 | +4.3
Stefan Todorovic: 4.8 | 9.9 | -5.1
Points per game:
Stefan Todorovic: 3.0 | 6.6 | -3.6
Rebounds per game:
Efe Odigie: 4.6 | 7.2 | -2.6
Assists per game:
Zach Nutall: 3.2 | 2.5 | +0.7
COUGARS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Ja’Vier Francis: 19.4 | 12.1 | +7.3
Rebounds per game:
Ja’Vier Francis: 7.8 | 4.9 | +2.9
Jarace Walker: 4.4 | 5.9 | -1.5
SportsTips’ College Basketball Pick:
Houston -20.5 (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
