Connecticut at SMU NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 2/21/2019

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Moody Coliseum

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Connecticut Huskies travel to Moody Coliseum to play the SMU Mustangs on Thursday, February 21, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has SMU as 6.5 point favorites.

Connecticut comes into this game with an overall record of 13-12. They currently have a point differential of 5.4 as they are averaging 76.6 points per game while giving up 71.3 per contest. SMU has an overall record of 12-12. They are averaging 73.8 points per game and surrendering 69.5, good for a point differential of 4.3.

Valuable Connecticut Huskies Betting Trends

The Connecticut Huskies are 15-10-0 against the spread

The Connecticut Huskies are 12-11-2 against the over/under

Important SMU Mustangs Betting Trends

The SMU Mustangs are 8-15-1 against the spread

The SMU Mustangs are 13-9-2 against the over/under

Key Connecticut Huskies Injuries

02/20/19 G Alterique Gilbert Shoulder is questionable Thursday vs SMU
02/09/19 G Jalen Adams Ankle is out 4-6 weeks
01/05/19 F Kwintin Williams Suspension is out indefinitely
01/04/19 F Kassoum Yakwe Foot is out indefinitely

Key SMU Mustangs Injuries

02/06/19 G Jarrey Foster Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Tarin Smith comes into this contest averaging 8.7 points per game while playing 26.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 67%. Christian Vital averages 14.0 points per game in 30.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.5 assists per contest and 6.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

Jahmal McMurray averages 17.7 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.2 rebounds per game and has 2.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Jimmy Whitt averages 12.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.5 rebounds per contest and 4.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 61%.

Useful Team Statistics

Connecticut averages 76.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 86th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 5.4 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 119th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 135th in the nation. They average 36.7 rebounds per game and 13.1 assists per game, which ranks them 113th and 214th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 150th with 13.4 per game. The Huskies allow 71.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 176th in the country. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 197th and 84th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.4 rebounds a game which ranks 100th and they give up 12.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 153rd place in Division 1. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 279th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

SMU is 157th in the country with 73.8 points per game this year. They are 200th in Division 1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 4.3. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 198th in the nation. They are 131st in the NCAA in rebounding with 36.4 boards per game, and 92nd in assists per contest with 14.5. The Mustangs are 328th in turnovers per game with 10.9. The Mustangs surrender 69.5 points per contest, which ranks them 134th in D-1. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 193rd and 266th in those defensive statistics. They rank 319th with 15.3 assists allowed per contest and 44th with 32.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mustangs are 92nd in country in forcing turnovers with 12.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Huskies are 92nd in the nation in offensive rating with 107.5. In terms of pace they are 111th in the country with 70.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 139th. As a team they are 156th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 236th in Division 1. Connecticut is 197th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.1 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

SMU is 333rd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions. The Mustangs have an offensive rating of 111, which is ranked 45th. They are 318th in D-1 in pace with 66.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 176th. As a unit they are 198th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 102nd in the country.

Who will win tonight's Connecticut/SMU college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take SMU -6.5

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