zhuric-phelps-smu-usatsi.jpg
USATSI

The SMU Mustangs (13-7) and Tulane Green Wave (12-8) will both be looking to snap two-game losing streaks when they square off on Thursday night. SMU is coming off a pair of narrow road losses, falling to North Texas and Wichita State last week. Tulane fell to UTSA and Charlotte last week after beating Memphis on Jan. 21. This is the first of two meetings between these teams this month, as they will square off again two weeks from now in New Orleans. 

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday at Moody Coliseum. SMU is favored by 8.5 points in the latest SMU vs. Tulane odds, while the over/under is 157 points via SportsLine consensus. Before entering any Tulane vs. SMU picks, you'll want to see the NCAA Basketball predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 season on a 120-78 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 20-7 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Tulane vs. SMU. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball betting lines for the game:

  • SMU vs. Tulane spread: SMU -8.5
  • SMU vs. Tulane over/under: 157 points
  • SMU vs. Tulane money line: SMU: -416, Tulane: +322
  • SMU vs. Tulane picks: See picks here

Why SMU can cover

SMU's losses at North Texas and Wichita State came by a combined seven points after it won seven of its previous eight games. The Mustangs scored at least 75 points in five of those seven victories, including a 103-70 win over Tulsa. Junior guard Zhuric Phelps leads SMU with 14.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, finishing in double figures in all but three games this season. 

Senior guard Chuck Harris, who spent the first three seasons of his college career at Butler, is the second-leading scorer with 13.2 points and 3.6 assists per game. Senior forward Samuell Williamson is adding 9.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. The Mustangs have covered the spread at a 9-2-1 clip in their last 12 games, and they are 12-1 in their last 13 home games against Tulane. 

Why Tulane can cover

Tulane has failed to pick up many wins in recent trips to SMU, but that has not stopped the Green Wave from being successful by betting standards. They have covered in nine of their last 11 games against the Mustangs. Tulane has been solid at home this season, with one of its losses coming by just one point against FAU. 

The Green Wave sprung an outright upset against Memphis 11 days ago, picking up an 81-79 win as 3.5-point underdogs. Junior guard Sion James scored a season-high 22 points, while senior forward Kevin Cross had 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Cross leads the team with 17.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, while senior guard Jaylen Forbes is adding 15.1 points per contest. See which team to pick here. 

How to make SMU vs. Tulane picks

The model has simulated Tulane vs. SMU 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Under, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

So who wins SMU vs. Tulane, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 120-78 roll on its top-ranked college basketball picks, and find out.