Southern Methodist vs Virginia Tech Picks and Prediction – 2/6/2025

The SMU Mustangs (17-5, 8-3 ACC) face Virginia Tech Hokies (10-12, 5-6 ACC) in a conference battle. The Mustangs are coming off a dominant 85-61 win over Stanford, extending a winning streak to three games. The Hokies pulled off a narrow 75-74 road victory against Virginia, securing back-to-back wins. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

SMU has been an offensive force, averaging 82.9 points per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Boopie Miller leads the scoring with 13.6 points per game, supported by a strong rebounding presence from Matt Cross, who averages 8.4 rebounds. The Mustangs distribute the ball effectively, averaging 16.4 assists per game, making them a balanced offensive unit. They have been efficient from the free-throw line and dominate in transition, taking advantage of quick ball movement.

Defensively, SMU allows 71.3 points per game while forcing 7.8 steals per contest. B.J. Edwards has been a key disruptor on defense, averaging 2.3 steals. Shot-blocking is limited, with Samet Yigitoglu leading at 1.1 blocks per game. The Mustangs’ rebounding edge is crucial, as they pull down 40.1 rebounds per game, allowing them to control possessions and limit second-chance opportunities for opponents.

Virginia Tech struggles offensively, scoring just 70.0 points per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Tobi Lawal leads with 13.0 points per game on an efficient 58.9% shooting. The Hokies’ ball movement is not as fluid as SMU’s, averaging 13.1 assists per game. Offensive rebounding is a weakness, as they average only 33.9 boards per contest, which could make second-chance points difficult to come by.

Defensively, Virginia Tech allows 72.6 points per game and struggles with rim protection, averaging just 1.7 blocks. Perimeter defense has been a concern, as they force only 5.0 steals per game. Tobi Lawal contributes defensively with 6.7 rebounds per game but lacks a shot-blocking presence. The Hokies will need a strong defensive performance to keep SMU’s high-powered offense in check.

SMU holds a clear edge offensively and dominates the rebounding battle. Virginia Tech has struggled against high-scoring teams, and the Mustangs' ability to push the tempo should create mismatches. The Mustangs’ defensive pressure will also force turnovers, limiting Virginia Tech’s scoring opportunities. Final Score Prediction: SMU Mustangs win 81-69.