Washington State Cougars vs SMU Mustangs Prediction, 3/20/2022 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington State Cougars vs SMU Mustangs

Date: Sunday, March 20, 2022

Location: Moody Coliseum in University Park, TX

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Washington State (+3)

The SMU Mustangs (24-8) will try to beat the Washington State Cougars (20-14) at Moody Coliseum on Sunday. Washington State opens as 3-point dogs. The total is 140.5.

The Washington State Cougars took the court against Santa Clara and notched a win by a score of 63-50 in their last game. Washington State finished the game with a 34.4% FG percentage (22 of 64) and made 10 out of their 29 3-pointers. From the free throw line, the Cougars made 9 of their 13 attempts for a percentage of 69.2%. Pertaining to rebounding, they compiled 41 with 7 of them being of the offensive variety. They also dished out 12 dimes for the game while forcing 12 turnovers and having 6 steals. With regard to the defense, Washington State allowed the other team to shoot 30.0% from the floor on 18 of 60 shooting. Santa Clara totaled 13 assists and had 3 steals in this matchup. In addition, Santa Clara snagged 40 rebounds (8 offensive, 32 defensive), but wasn't able to record a block. Santa Clara went 73.3% when shooting free throws by burying 11 of 15 tries. They also made 3 of their 23 attempts from beyond the arc. Concerning fouls, the Cougars left the arena with 15 and Santa Clara totaled 16 fouls.

Tyrell Roberts is a guy who came through for this contest. He ended up shooting 38.1% from the floor and dished out 1 assist. He played for 35 mins played and also totaled 7 boards. He left the arena with 23 points on 8 of 21 shooting.

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Washington State comes into this one with a mark of 20-14 for the season. They average 71.6 pts per contest (157th in college hoops) while shooting 40.8% from the floor. The Cougars are shooting 34.0% on three-point attempts (309 of 909) and 74.6% from the charity stripe. As a team, Washington State is grabbing 36.8 rebounds per game and has accumulated 382 dimes on the year, which is 235th in D-1 in terms of passing the rock. They turn it over 11.3 times per contest and as a squad are committing 17.6 fouls on a nightly basis.

On the defensive end of the court, the Cougars are forcing their opponents into 14.1 turnovers per game while drawing 17.8 fouls. They rank 125th in college hoops in allowing assists to the opposition with 378 conceded on the campaign. The Cougars are allowing a field goal percentage of 41.4% (782 of 1,888) and they concede 35.1 boards per contest as a basketball team. They are surrendering 31.7% on shots from distance and they are ranked 48th in D-1 in opponents PPG (64.9).

In their last game, the SMU Mustangs got the victory with a final of 68-58 against Nicholls State. The Mustangs recorded 37 defensive boards and 9 offensive boards totaling 46 in the game. They turned the ball over 13 times, while getting 8 steals in the matchup. Nicholls State committed 18 fouls in this matchup which got the Mustangs to the charity stripe for a total of 21 attempts. They were able to bury 18 of the free throw attempts for a percentage of 85.7%. In reference to shots from beyond the arc, SMU converted 4 out of their 23 attempts (17.4%). When the game finished, the Mustangs shot 23 out of 58 from the floor which had them sitting at 39.7%. The Mustangs allowed Nicholls State to convert 24 of their 68 tries from the field which gave them a shooting percentage of 35.3% in the game. They finished 23.3% from behind the 3-point line by connecting on 7 out of 30 and ended up going 3 of 9 at the charity stripe (33.3%). In the matter of how they rebounded, SMU permitted Nicholls State to get 31 overall (7 on the offensive side).

Michael Weathers was important for the Mustangs in the game. He made 4 of 6 for this contest for a field goal percentage of 66.7%, and added 12 rebounds. He totaled 16 points in his 38 mins on the court, but wasn't able to tally an assist.

SMU has a mark of 24-8 so far this season. When it comes to offensive execution, the Mustangs are shooting 44.2% from the floor, which ranks 163rd in Division 1. SMU has totaled 2,373 pts for the year (74.2 per game) and they pull in 37.9 boards per game. They are assisting teammates 14.0 times per game (105th in the country) and they are giving up possession 12.4 times per contest. The Mustangs have committed 15.1 fouls per game and they connect on 74.6% from the free throw line.

The SMU defense surrenders 30.0% from downtown (204 of 681) and opponents are making 68.7% of their free throw attempts. They have relinquished 13.1 dimes and 36.8 boards every game, ranking them 221st and 299th in the country. The Mustangs on defense are ranked 109th in Division 1 in PPG surrendered with 66.9. They are forcing 11.9 turnovers per game and have allowed teams to shoot 39.6% from the floor (24th in college basketball).

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Washington State (+3)

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