SMU vs Utah State Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for Dec. 23 (Aggies Win Big at Stan Sheriff Center)

SMU vs Utah State Game Info

2022-23 NCAA College Basketball Regular Season Game
SMU Mustangs (4-7) vs. Utah State Aggies (10-1)
Date: Friday, Dec. 23, 2022
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Stan Sheriff Center — Honolulu, HI
Coverage: ESPN2

The 2022-23 NCAA college basketball season continues on Friday, Dec. 23, including a Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic matchup between the SMU Mustangs and Utah State Aggies.

SMU was victorious in its first matchup of the event, picking up a hard-fought 85-81 victory against Iona on Thursday. Utah State was also in action yesterday, defeating Seattle, 84-56, as Steven Ashworth dropped a team-high 17 points while Max Shulga finished with a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.

So, which side will be victorious in the next Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic collision?

SMU vs Utah State Odds & Spread

All NCAA college basketball betting lines, odds and prop bets.
Moneyline: SMU: (+570) | USU: (-850)
Spread: SMU:+12.5 (-112) | USU: -12.5 (-108)
Total: 145.5 - Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

Utah State enters this contest as the heavy favorite on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 7 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 145.5 points, which is the third-highest of Friday's projected totals.

SMU vs Utah State Prediction

Although SMU was victorious yesterday, I don't think its defense is ready for Utah State's attack. The Aggies are scoring 84.4 PPG (No. 5) this season while shooting 49.1% from the field (No. 19) and 42.3% from three-point range (No. 1). I expect them to continue scoring with ease considering how the Mustangs have allowed an 81.0 PPG clip over their last five games.

It's also worth noting that SMU just doesn't pull off upsets too often, losing six of its last seven games as the underdog. Utah State is 9-1 straight up in its last 10 games as the favorite, highlighting the Aggies' clutch ability.

Don't let SMU's latest win cloud your judgement. Utah State will win tonight and it won't break a sweat in the process.

Final Score Prediction: Utah State: 82 | SMU: 69

SMU vs Utah State Betting Trends

- SMU is 1-4 straight up in its last five games.
- Utah State is 10-4 against the spread (ATS) in its last 14 games.
- The total has hit the over in five of SMU's last six games against the MWC.
- The total has hit the over in six of Utah State's last nine games.

SMU vs Utah State Best Bet

I see Utah State covering the 12.5-point spread tonight. Not only have the Aggies covered the spread in 10 of their last 14 outings, but they're also 3-0 ATS in neutral site games this season. On the other hand, SMU is a putrid 4-13-1 ATS in its last 18 games and has failed to cover in four of its last five road/neutral contests on a Friday.

It's also worth mentioning that the Mustangs had lost four straight games before Thursday's victory. I predict that Utah State will bring SMU down to earth, winning by a large margin in the process.

Bet: Utah State -12.5 (-108)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.