Stanford Cardinal vs
SMU MustangsPredictions & Preview

Upcoming ACC Showdown: Stanford Cardinal vs SMU Mustangs Set to Determine Fourth Place in Conference Standings

The upcoming ACC matchup on February 1, 2025, between the Stanford Cardinal and SMU Mustangs is set to be a crucial game as both teams are tied for fourth place in the conference with identical 7-3 records. SMU is the current betting favorite with an opening line of -6.5, which has since shifted to SMU -5.5. This game will have significant implications for the standings in the ACC.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cardinal +195 | Mustangs -235
• Spread: Cardinal +5.5 (-110) | Mustangs -5.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 149.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that SMU will win straight-up is 70%.

Stanford vs SMU Stats

Stanford Cardinal

The Stanford Cardinal under new head coach Kyle Smith have exceeded expectations this season, matching their win total from the previous two seasons and making a strong push for their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2013-14. The team boasts a 7-3 record in conference play and has been dominant at home with a 12-1 record at Maples Pavilion. The team's success can largely be attributed to the outstanding performance of senior forward Maxime Raynaud, who leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. Guard Jaylen Blakes has also had a breakout season, contributing significantly to the team's offensive and defensive efforts. The Cardinal have a KenPom rating of 77th overall, with a strong offensive rating at 53rd in the nation. Defensively, they rank 118th. Offensively, Stanford shoots 44.77% of their field goals, 77.37% of their free throws, and 34.23% of their three pointers. Defensively, they allow opponents to shoot 44.42% of field goals, 76.39% of free throws, and 31.69% of three pointers. Overall, Stanford holds a power ranking of 39 and a record of 15-6 this season.

SMU Mustangs Analysis

The SMU Mustangs have demonstrated their competitiveness in the ACC this season, currently tied for fourth place in the conference standings with Wake Forest and Stanford. Led by junior guard Boopie Miller, who averages 13.8 points and 5.7 assists per game, the team has shown a balanced and strong offensive performance. Chuck Harris and Samet Yigitoglu have been standouts for SMU, with Harris shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc and Yigitoglu converting 56.9% of his field goal attempts. Senior forward Matt Cross has been dominant on the boards, pulling down 8.4 rebounds per game.

Defensively, SMU is ranked 74th by KenPom, with junior guard B.J. Edwards leading the team with 2.3 steals per game. The team's depth is evident with six players averaging over 9.5 points per game, making them a formidable opponent. Under head coach Andy Enfield's leadership, SMU has built a roster with a mix of experience and youth, including international talents like Yohan Traore from France and Samet Yigitoglu from Turkey.

In terms of statistics, the Mustangs have a power ranking of 76 and are ranked 26th for offense, scoring an average of 82.76 points per game. They shoot 47.81% from the field, 74.09% from the free-throw line, and 37.92% from three-point range. Defensively, SMU allows opponents to shoot 40.52% from the field, 74.64% from the free-throw line, and 33.53% from beyond the arc. The team averages 40.38 rebounds, 16.19 offensive assists, and 11.81 turnovers per game. Overall, the Mustangs have shown themselves to be a strong and competitive team in the ACC.

Stanford's Strong Home Court Advantage Faces Test in Upcoming Away Game

Stanford has achieved success in six of their previous seven games, with the majority of those victories taking place on their home court. However, their performance in away ACC games outside of California has been less formidable, resulting in a 1-3 record with deficits of 13 points or more in each loss. Given these trends, I anticipate that offensive capabilities will play a significant role in the upcoming game, with Stanford facing challenges in defensive stops as the visiting team. While Stanford has surpassed expectations thus far, I predict that they will struggle to meet the cover in Dallas.

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