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Tulane vs. SMU Prediction and Odds (Green Wave Coming in Hot)

By Ben Heisler

SMU senior guard Kendric Davis looks to make a splash on Senior Day for the Mustangs at home vs. Tulane.
SMU senior guard Kendric Davis looks to make a splash on Senior Day for the Mustangs at home vs. Tulane. / Peter G. Aiken/GettyImages
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Moody Coliseum in Dallas hosts the AAC regular season finale as SMU welcomes the Tulane Green Wave for a 3 p.m. EST tip.

The Mustangs hold the No. 2 seed for the upcoming AAC Tournament, as the Houston Cougars hold a 2.5 game lead in the conference. SMU would not move up or down in standings regardless of a loss, as they holds the tiebreaker over Memphis with a season-sweep in conference play.

Since starting the season 3-6, Tulane has climbed back to .500 going 10-7 in conference play. A win today would put them in as the No. 4 seed in next week's conference tournament.

Here are the latest odds over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Tulane vs. SMU Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Tulane +9.5 (-110)
  • SMU -9.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Tulane +360
  • SMU -475

Total:

  • 143.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Tulane vs. SMU Prediction and Pick

SMU has been the most consistent and better team all season, but 9.5-points is a lot to cover at home, especially given SMU's circumstances.

They should win on Senior Day, but they really don't have much to play for, given their seed is all but locked up in the upcoming tournament, and are likely to make the NCAA Tournament despite being on the bubble.

Tulane is being overlooked to make this game competitive. The Green Wave have been a terrific offensive team of late, ranking in the 90th percentile of all of college basketball in offensive rating (112.9) over their last five games, while also ranking 99th in turnover percentage (11.3%) and free throw attempts. That's a sign of a smart team taking uncontested shots, and when they are contested, they're going to the charity stripe to take advantage.

Meanwhile, the Stangs' offense has plummeted of late after being one of the better rated teams in the country. In their last five matchups, they're ranked in the 26th percentile in offensive rating, and 30th in True Shooting percentage

SMU's defense has been a difference maker during their offensive slumps, but with Tulane cruising on that side of the ball, I think they can keep this matchup within single digits on the road.

LEAN: Tulane +9.5 (-110)

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting plays in real-time HERE.

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