The SMU Mustangs (10-20, 5-12 AAC) go up against the Cincinnati Bearcats (19-11, 10-7) on Sunday at Fifth Third Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the SMU vs. Cincinnati odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Mustangs were blown out by Memphis 81-62 as 6.5-point home underdogs on Thursday. SMU has lost 2 consecutive games and has won only 3 of its last 10 contests.
The Bearcats haven’t played since last Sunday when they lost 76-73 to Memphis despite covering as 5.5-point road underdogs. Cincinnati has gone 5-5 in its last 10 games.
This will be their 2nd meeting. The Mustangs covered as 5-point home underdogs in the 54-52 loss and the Under hit in the 1st meeting on Jan. 14.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!
SMU at Cincinnati odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:04 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): SMU +475 (bet $100 to win $475) | Cincinnati -650 (bet $650 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): SMU +11.5 (-115) | Cincinnati -11.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
SMU at Cincinnati picks and predictions
Prediction
Cincinnati 80, SMU 67
AVOID.
The Bearcats should be able to win with ease at home, but taking them straight up at the current odds (-650) isn’t worth the risk.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Against the spread
CINCINNATI -11.5 (-105) feels like the right pick considering all the numbers. The Mustangs have lost by 14-plus points in each of their last 3 setbacks.
SMU is also 1-5-2 ATS in its last 8 road games, while Cincinnati is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games following a loss.
Over/Under
OVER 145.5 (-115) is the lean in this matchup with both teams averaging a combined 147.4 points per game. SMU also allows 74.8 points per game (312th in the nation) and Cincinnati makes a solid 35.8% of its 3-point attempts (95th in the nation).
The Mustangs have hit the Over in 12 of their last 14 games following a loss, and the Bearcats are 3-0-1 to the Over in their last 4 games following an ATS win.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Skyler Carlin on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]