The SMU Mustangs (15-12, 5-9 AAC), who are currently on a five-game losing streak, will attempt to get back in the win column when they visit Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum to clash against the East Carolina Pirates (10-15, 4-10 AAC). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 136.5 points with SMU set as a 6.5-point favorite. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPNews.
SMU Mustangs vs. East Carolina Pirates ATS Preview
The Mustangs fell to the UCF Knights in their last game, 52-37. SMU’s Jimmy Whitt had six points and 11 rebounds in the game. UCF held the Mustangs to an effective field goal percentage of 0.279 (below their season average of 0.533). SMU, on the other hand, held the Knights to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.0 (below their season average of 30.0).
In the Pirates’ last matchup, they were topped by the Connecticut Huskies, 84-80. With 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Isaac Fleming led the way for East Carolina with his first triple-double this year. Connecticut made 13 of their 26 three pointers (50.0 percent). East Carolina, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 37.9 (above their season average of 29.1).
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for the offense of East Carolina. East Carolina ranks 309th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 21.1 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of SMU forces the 29th-most turnovers in the NCAA (22.2 percent). Moreover, the Mustangs rank 56th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.5 percent), while the Pirates rank 304th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.0 percent).
Of SMU’s 22 games that accepted bets, 11 have finished over the O/U total, while 12 of East Carolina’s 18 games have finished over the projected point total. The Mustangs hold the substantial advantage straight up (SU) (15-12 vs. 10-15), but the Pirates have the better against the spread (ATS) record (10-8 vs. 9-13).
Fleming has really been playing well over the last five games for East Carolina, averaging 14.2 points and 5.6 assists per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined for 147 points in that game, which was over the projected point total of 132.5. The Mustangs won 86-61, covering as 22-point favorites. The Mustangs played a perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.127 and an extraordinary effective field goal percentage of 0.718. For those same stats, the Pirates were 0.071 and 0.509, respectively. Whitt was the game’s top overall scorer with 20 points.
SMU Mustangs vs. East Carolina Pirates Free Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – SMU, ATS Winner – SMU, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Mustangs average 34.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 197th in the nation. The Pirates rank 216th in rebounds allowed per game (36.3).
- SMU ranks 130th in blocks per game (3.3) while East Carolina ranks 132nd in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
- SMU is 3-8 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 5 overs.
- East Carolina is 6-4 ATS at home with 6 overs and 4 unders.
- SMU ranks 40th in steals per game (7.5) while East Carolina ranks 212th (4.9).
- The Mustangs rank 72nd in assists per game (15.1) while the Pirates rank 232nd in assists allowed per game (15.4).
- SMU ranks 136th in three pointers attempted per game (22.3) while East Carolina ranks 227th (19.7).
Bettings Trends:
- East Carolina is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, SMU is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Pirates’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.6, down from 5.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Mustangs have scored an average of 56.0 points per game (14.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.2 points per game (5.1 above their season average).
