North Carolina Tar Heels vs SMU Mustangs NCAAB Betting Pick & Prediction for 1/3

The North Carolina Tar Heels are set to play against the SMU Mustangs on Saturday. The game will take place at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas. It is a conference game for both teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Tar Heels have a strong season record of 13-1. They are ranked #12 in the AP rankings. On the other hand, the Mustangs hold an 11-2 record. North Carolina is favored in this matchup, but SMU will have the home-court advantage. Fans can watch the game on CW.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs SMU Mustangs Game Day Info

  • Sport: College Basketball
  • Teams: #12 North Carolina Tar Heels vs SMU Mustangs
  • Venue: Moody Coliseum, Dallas TX
  • Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 2:15 PM ET
  • North Carolina Tar Heels Spread: +1.5 (-125)
  • SMU Mustangs Spread: -1.5 (+100)
  • North Carolina Tar Heels MoneyLine: -114
  • SMU Mustangs MoneyLine: -110
  • Over/Under: 156.5
  • Favorite: North Carolina Tar Heels
  • Underdog: SMU Mustangs

North Carolina Tar Heels Team Preview

The North Carolina Tar Heels have been performing well this season. They have a 13-1 record and are ranked #12 in the AP poll. Their conference is the Atlantic Coast, and they have not lost any away games yet, standing at 2-0 on the road.

In recent games, the Tar Heels have shown strong performances. They won against Florida State Seminoles with a score of 79-66. Caleb Wilson stood out with 22 points and 16 rebounds in that game.

Offensively, the Tar Heels score an average of 81.2 points per game. Their field goal percentage is 47.1%, and they make 16.3 free throws per game. Defensively, they have room to improve with only 5.6 steals per game and 4.1 blocks per game.

SMU Mustangs Team Preview

The SMU Mustangs have shown strong performances at home this season. They hold a record of 9-1 in home games. In their recent game against Cal State Fullerton, they scored 110 points and won by 47 points.

Offensively, the Mustangs are averaging 91.1 points per game. They rank 19th in points per game and 29th in field goal percentage at 49.9%. Their ability to score efficiently has been a key factor in their success.

Key players for the Mustangs include Boopie Miller and B.J. Edwards. Miller leads the team with 19.9 points per game, while Edwards contributes with 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. The Mustangs look to continue their strong play at home.

BTB Betting Pick

For the spread pick, SMU -1.5 (+100) is the recommendation. SMU scores 91.1 points per game, which is significantly higher than North Carolina’s 81.2 points per game. The projected score is SMU 90, North Carolina 85, favoring SMU to cover the spread.

For the over/under pick, take the over 156.5 (-112). Both teams have strong offenses, with SMU ranked 19th in points per game and North Carolina not far behind. The projected total is 175 points, suggesting the game will surpass the current line of 156.5.