Florida Atlantic dropped out of the AP Top 25 for the first time all season this week after a 90-86 loss to South Florida. Last year’s Cinderella Final Four team looks to get back on track tonight as FAU hosts SMU in an AAC matchup. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
SMU (19-7 SU, 14-9-2 ATS) and Florida Atlantic (20-6 SU, 12-14 ATS) are tied at 10-3 in the AAC standings. Let’s get to SMU vs. FAU odds, props, and predictions now.
SMU vs. Florida Atlantic betting line: Point spread, moneyline, total
Check out live odds for SMU vs. Florida Atlantic on the best sportsbook apps:
KenPom ranks these teams fairly even. Florida Atlantic checks in at No. 36 in the latest rankings with SMU at No. 39.
SMU betting news: Mustangs aim to extend six-game winning streak
SMU starts a two-game Florida swing tonight at FAU and then South Florida on Sunday.
The Mustangs are riding a six-game winning streak after beating Memphis 106-79 at home on Sunday. Guard Ricardo Wright scored a season-high 26 points to lead five SMU players in double figures.
SMU is 12-0 on the season when at least four players record double figures in scoring. The Mustangs thrive on defense, holding opponents to 39.8% field-goal shooting. That’s good for second in the AAC and 16th nationally. SMU’s perimeter defense is even better at 29.7% from three-point range (first in AAC, and 21st in the country).
Guard Zhuric Phelps paces the SMU offense with 14.7 points per game. Backcourt mate Chuck Harris follows with 13.4 in a guard-laden offense.
The Mustangs have not played a ranked team this year, but they shouldn’t get used to that. SMU will compete in the ACC next season against the likes of Duke and North Carolina.
For now, head coach Rob Lanier can only focus on what’s in front of him and his team.
“To be honest with you, I know we’re on a two-game road swing because we’re going to Florida to play both Florida teams, but I’m not sure who or when we play after that and I just don’t have the bandwidth to think that far ahead,” Lanier said in his weekly radio show.
Should the Mustangs take down both Florida Atlantic and AAC-leading South Florida, they might get some attention from Top 25 voters heading into conference tournament play.
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Florida Atlantic betting news: Owls one of the nation’s most dominant teams at home
The Owls are seeking their 10th consecutive win at home tonight. FAU is 27-1 SU at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena over the past two seasons.
In its last time out at South Florida, Florida Atlantic trailed by 25 points with about eight minutes left. The Owls trimmed the margin to one but ultimately fell, 90-86.
Junior center Vladimir Goldin led the way for FAU with 23 points in a losing cause. Goldin became the 18th player in program history to eclipse 1,000 points. Junior guard Johnell Davis and backcourt mate Bryan Greenlee accomplished the feat earlier this season.
Davis, who leads the Owls in scoring (18.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.7 rpg), has now scored in double figures in 19 straight games after going for 20 in the loss to South Florida. As a team, FAU is ranked 18th in the country with 83.4 points per game.
The Owls have racked up some impressive stats in AAC play:
Second in points per game (83.4)Second in field goal percentage (48.1%)Second in assists per game (15.3)
Florida Atlantic took the nation by storm during last year’s run to the Final Four. The Owls lost to another upstart in San Diego State in the national semifinals, 72-71.
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SMU vs. Florida Atlantic player props
Check out Mustangs vs. Owls scoring props:
Consider a toss on Davis going OVER 18.5 at even money here.
SMU vs. Florida Atlantic prediction ATS
Florida Atlantic’s dominance at home is something to behold. Expect the Owls to bounce back from the loss at South Florida, as they win and cover over the Mustangs tonight.
Pick: Florida Atlantic
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