SMU vs Louisville Picks and Predictions for Saturday, January 31, 2026
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SMU vs Louisville Information
The SMU Mustangs take a road trip Saturday afternoon with the game in Louisville, KY, at 2:00 PM against the Louisville Cardinals. SMU has fifteen wins and five losses this season, having won three of the last five, including two in a row after a narrow 3-point home victory against Florida State. The Louisville Cardinals returned home Saturday with fourteen wins and six losses this season, ranked #20 in the nation, having gone through the last five following a blowout 31-point road loss to Duke. Stay in the loop with our College Basketball Picks.
SMU Preview
The SMU offense has been solid this season, averaging 87.3 points on 49% shooting from the floor. Defensively, SMU has been good enough at holding opponents to 77 points per game this season. Boopie Miller leads the SMU offense this season with 19.4 points and 6.7 assists per game. Jaron Pierre Jr. averages 17.5 points, and BJ Edwards averages 14.2 points per game. Corey Washington averages 11.2 points, good enough for 4th on the team. Big man Samet Yigitoglu averages 10.5 points to go along with the team-leading 8.1 rebounds per game.
Louisville Preview
The Louisville offense has been the team's biggest strength this season, scoring 86 points on 46% shooting from the floor, but the Cardinals scored only 52 points in their loss to Duke. Defensively, Louisville is allowing 70.3 points per game this season, but has given up an average of 81 points per game over its last two losses. Ryan Conwell leads the Louisville offense this season with 19.4 points per game. Freshman Mikel Brown Jr. is 2nd on the roster with 16.1 points, and Isaac McNeely averages third with 11.5 points per game. J’Vonne Hadley is 4th on the team, averaging 10.8 points per game this season. Big man Sananda Fru averages 10.6 points to go along with the team’s leading 6.9 rebounds per game.
SMU vs Louisville Prediction
Both teams are playing great basketball this season, and each comes into this game having won three of the last five. Both teams score above 80 points per game, but this will be a defensive matchup. Look for both teams to grind it out as each pursues its 5th ACC victory of the season. Take Louisville Saturday afternoon to do the job as they get the win and cover at home against SMU in a low-scoring duel. Final Score Prediction, Louisville Cardinals win and cover 74-70.
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Best Picks:
- Louisville Cardinals ATS
- Under
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