Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs SMU Mustangs Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Georgia Tech vs SMU NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Dallas.

Georgia Tech vs SMU Prediction

Planning on watching today's Yellow Jackets and Mustangs game? Catch the action at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, TX, as the Mustangs hosts this showdown at 4:00 ET on ESPN2. The over/under for this Atlantic Coast conference contest is set at 154.5 points, with SMU being favored by -10.5 at home against Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech vs. SMU Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at SMU Mustangs
Where: Dallas at Moody Coliseum
Date: Saturday, January 11th
Betting Odds SMU -10.5, GTECH +370 | SMU -490 O/U 154.5

Yellow Jackets Preview: Will Georgia Tech Come Through as Road Underdogs?

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Recent Game/Games

Georgia Tech dropped to 8-8 on the season after a 62-55 road loss to Syracuse on Tuesday. Entering the game as +1 point underdogs, the Yellow Jackets not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

Trailing 25-24 at halftime, Georgia Tech allowed 37 points in the second half while scoring 31. The game’s total points of 117 fell well below the O/U line of 153.5.

Yellow Jackets Offense Breakdown

Georgia Tech struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 55 points on 36.4% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 39.4%, and they hit only 4 of 21 attempts from beyond the arc, shooting 19% from three-point range. At the free-throw line, the Yellow Jackets connected on just 3 of 11 attempts, shooting 27.3%.

J.J. Starling led the way with 21 points, shooting 56.2% overall and 33.3% from three. Lance Terry added 18 points, hitting 3 of 8 from deep. Naithan George contributed 13 points and 5 assists, but struggled from three, making just 1 of 7 attempts.

Yellow Jackets Team Defense

Georgia Tech's defense held their opponent to 62 points, with a field goal percentage of 41% (26/63). The Yellow Jackets allowed 22 two-point baskets on 43 attempts, a 51% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Georgia Tech limited their opponent to 4 made threes on 20 attempts, a 20% shooting performance. They also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 9 times, where they converted 6 attempts, shooting 66%.

Mustangs Preview: Will SMU Live Up to Expectations at Home?

SMU Mustangs Recent Game/Games

SMU’s record dropped to 11-4 after an 82-67 road loss to North Carolina on Tuesday. The Mustangs, who were +6.5 underdogs, didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 149 fell short of the O/U line of 166.5.

SMU trailed 39-24 at halftime but matched the Tar Heels in the 2nd half, with both teams scoring 43 points.

Mustangs Offense Breakdown

SMU struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 33.3% from the field and 22.2% from three-point range, hitting only 4 of 18 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 36.2%, but they did manage to convert 81% of their free throws, going 17 for 21 from the line.

RJ Davis led the way with 26 points on 8 of 15 shooting, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. Ian Jackson and Chuck Harris each added 18 points, with Jackson shooting 3 of 7 from three and Harris hitting 3 of 8. Drake Powell also contributed, making 4 of 6 threes and finishing with 17 points.

Mustangs Team Defense

SMU's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 82 points on 47% shooting from the field. The Mustangs allowed 27 made field goals on 57 attempts.

From beyond the arc, SMU's opponents shot 50%, hitting 11 of 22 three-point attempts. They also sent them to the free-throw line 24 times, where they converted 17 for 70%.

Yellow Jackets vs Mustangs Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

When looking at their past ten road matchups, Georgia Tech has an ATS record of 4-6 while averaging 65 per game. The team went 2-8 overall in these games.
When looking at their past three matchups at home, SMU has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 82 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
Spanning across their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Yellow Jackets have gone 2-8 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-9.
SMU has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games.