SMU Mustangs vs
North Carolina Tar HeelsPredictions & Preview

North Carolina Tar Heels Set to Take on New ACC Team SMU Mustangs in Highly Anticipated Matchup

The ACC will feature a matchup on Tuesday night between North Carolina (11-3, 2-1 ACC) and SMU (9-6, 2-1 ACC). SMU is new to the ACC this year and is coming off a tough loss to Duke. North Carolina narrowly defeated Notre Dame in their last game. The game is set to take place at 9:00 EST in Chapel Hill and will be broadcast on the ACC Network. North Carolina is the favored team with a -6 point spread that has not changed.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Mustangs +205 | Tar Heels -254
• Spread: Mustangs +6 (-110) | Tar Heels -6 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 166.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that North Carolina will win straight-up is 72%.

SMU vs North Carolina Stats

SMU Mustangs

The SMU Mustangs suffered a tough loss to #4 Duke, despite coming into the matchup with an eight-game winning streak. Led by Boopie Miller, who scored 21 points in the game, the Mustangs have proven to be a competitive team this season. Miller is a key player for SMU, along with Chuck Harris and Matt Cross. The team ranks 11th in offense and 172nd in defense, with strong shooting percentages and rebounding stats. SMU is a team to watch in college basketball this season.

North Carolina Tar Heels Analysis

The North Carolina Tar Heels secured a dramatic win over Notre Dame, led by freshman standout Ian Jackson who scored 27 points. Despite falling out of the Top 25, North Carolina is focused on regaining respect and climbing back up the rankings. Jackson's recent scoring surge has caught the attention of NBA scouts, with him being projected as the 12th pick in the draft. Senior RJ Davis continues to lead the team in scoring, while junior Seth Trimble adds strength on the perimeter. Currently ranked 35th overall by KenPom, the Tar Heels excel in offense and pace of play. Defensively, they are working on improving their efficiency. Additionally, in terms of betting, the Tar Heels have a power ranking of 222 and are ranked #20 for offense and #337 for defense. They hit a high percentage of field goals and free throws, and have solid rebounding numbers. On defense, they are looking to tighten up their perimeter defense and reduce turnovers.

SMU Faces Tough Road Ahead Against ACC Powerhouses

Southern Methodist University is undergoing an adjustment period in their new conference, the ACC, and faced a tough challenge from Duke in their recent matchup. While games against Boston College and Virginia may not pose as much of a mental challenge, facing top teams like Duke and UNC can be daunting for SMU. Following a demoralizing loss to Duke at home, SMU now faces a road game against North Carolina at the Dean Dome. Ian Jackson has been living up to expectations as a high-level scorer for UNC, providing a strong offensive presence alongside Davis. With four perimeter players averaging double-digit points per game, and a fast-paced style of play, North Carolina will likely look to overpower SMU. While SMU has faced mostly unranked opponents so far, North Carolina's talent level suggests they could easily be ranked higher. Expect the Tar Heels to dominate and cover the spread in this matchup.

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