Game-day predictions, odds, and picks for UNC-SMU basketball

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Jan 4, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) celebrates with his teammates after making a three-point basket in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

The North Carolina Tar Heels return home to the Dean Dome for their first home ACC game of 2025, facing the SMU Mustangs on Tuesday, January 7 for a late, 9 p.m. tip-off.

UNC is fresh off yet another heart-stopping result, needing a 4-point play from Elliot Cadeau, to escape Notre Dame on Saturday with a 74-73 victory. SMU (11-3, 2-1 ACC) had its “Welcome to the ACC” moment on Saturday, getting smacked by 27 at home against Duke.

North Carolina (9-6, 2-1) is starting to find lineup combinations that finally work, none more important than starting Ian Jackson. The Tar Heels continue to miss defensive stalwart Seth Trimble, but Jackson’s ascension takes their offense to another level.

UNC has a brief, 2-1 matchup advantage with SMU all-time, but the two teams haven’t played since the 20th century. The Mustangs aren’t as good as their record shows, while North Carolina has a massive amount of work to become an NCAA Tournament team.

Will Jalen Washington continue his recent stretch of solid play as the Tar Heels’ starting center? Will SMU’s height win out? Can the Mustangs show last Saturday was a fluke, despite playing a Blue Devils squad amongst the front-runners for an NCAA Championship?

Whatever happens tonight, North Carolina faces another must-win situation, particularly if it wants to play basketball deep into March. UNC will play in front of the Tar Heel faithful – and with students heading back to class tomorrow, count on the student section being full for one last night of Winter Break.

Make sure you keep reading, as we bring you the game day odds for tonight’s ACC battle.

North Carolina vs. SMU game odds:

All NCAA Odds via BetMGM:

Point spread: North Carolina, -6.5

Money line: SMU +220, North Carolina…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/game-day-predictions-odds-picks-151436217.html

Author : Tar Heels Wire

Publish date : 2025-01-07 15:14:00

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