SMU at UCF Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 2/24/2019

Sunday, February 24, 2019

CFE Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The SMU Mustangs head to CFE Arena to take on the UCF Knights on Sunday, February 24, 2019. The opening line for this game has UCF as 7.5 point favorites.

SMU comes into this game with an overall record of 13-12. They currently have a point differential of 4.8 as they are averaging 73.9 points per game while giving up 69.1 per contest. UCF has an overall mark of 19-6. They are averaging 72.9 points per contest and giving up 64.7, which is a point differential of 8.2.

Valuable SMU Mustangs Betting Trends

The SMU Mustangs are 8-15-1 against the spread this season

The SMU Mustangs are 13-9-2 against the over/under this year

Important UCF Knights Betting Trends

The UCF Knights are 13-10-1 against the spread this season

The UCF Knights are 13-10-1 against the over/under this year

Key SMU Mustangs Injuries

02/06/19 G Jarrey Foster Knee is out indefinitely

Key UCF Knights Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Jahmal McMurray comes into this game averaging 18.0 points per contest while playing 32.0 minutes per night this year. He grabs 2.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is 83%. Ethan Chargois averages 12.6 points per contest in 27.3 minutes per game. He averages 2.0 assists per game and 6.8 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% for the season while his free throw percentage is 70%.

Player Spotlight

B.J. Taylor scores 16.7 points per contest while playing 33.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 2.2 rebounds per contest and has 3.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. Aubrey Dawkins averages 15.4 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 33.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.0 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

SMU averages 73.9 points per contest, which is 150th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 4.8 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 177th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 166th in the nation. They average 36.5 boards per contest and 14.6 assists per game, which ranks them 125th and 87th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 321st with 11.1 per game. The Mustangs allow 69.1 points per contest, which is 118th in the NCAA. They also surrender a 43% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 150th and 275th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 32.1 rebounds a game which ranks 45th, and they allow 15.2 assists per game which puts them in 314th place in the country. They force 12.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 86th in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

UCF is 180th in the nation with 72.9 points per contest this season. They are 62nd in the country in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 8.2. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 133rd in the NCAA. They are 131st in D-1 in rebounding with 36.4 boards per contest and 189th in assists per game with 13.4. The Knights are 296th in turnovers per contest with 11.7. The Knights give up 64.7 points per game, which ranks them 33rd in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 40% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 18th and 81st in those defensive statistics. They rank 151st with 12.8 dimes allowed per game and 191st with 35.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Knights are 133rd in the nation in forcing turnovers with 12.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Mustangs are 45th in the nation in offensive rating with 111.1. In terms of pace they are 317th in the country with 66.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 149th. As a team they are 168th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 106th in Division 1. SMU is 325th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

UCF is 266th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions. The Knights have an offensive rating of 107.6, which is ranked 90th. They are 284th in D-1 in pace with 67.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 91st. As a unit they are 108th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 241st in the country.

Who will win tonight's SMU/UCF college basketball game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take SMU +7.5

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