SMU vs. LSU Picks and Predictions, Saturday, December 13th, 2025
Use Code WWWC The SMU Mustangs (9-1) and the LSU Tigers (8-1) will play in the Compete 4 Cause Classic from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday night in this SMU vs. LSU prediction. SMU is coming off a big win over Texas A&M, winning 93-80 as 1.5-point underdogs at a neutral site. LSU is also coming off a neutral site game, but they got smoked by Texas Tech 82-58 as 5.5-point dogs. Tipoff is set for 8:30 EST and can be found on the SEC Network. Keep reading to see our SMU vs. LSU prediction, and keep up with all of our best NCAAB Betting Picks!
SMU Battles the SEC
The SMU Mustangs did not give themselves an easy preseason slate, as this will be their fourth straight game taking on teams from the SEC. The Mustangs have done well in the stretch, winning two of those three games as they defeated Mississippi State and Texas A&M over the past two weeks. Their lone loss in the stretch came against the 17th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores. Their most recent game was the win over A&M, as SMU got a huge game from Jaron Pierre Jr., who finished with 35 points on the night.
Pierre scored 21.6 PPG last season for Jacksonville State and transferred into the ACC for a bigger challenge for his senior year. It has gone well as the 6'5 senior guard is averaging 19.5 PPG to start the season. He shares the team lead in three pointers, having 18 made threes on the season. Despite averaging over 19, he is not the leading scorer on the team, as Boopie Miller leads the way with 20.6 PPG and 6.8 APG. This is Miller's second season running the show for the Mustangs as their 6'0 senior point guard. Corey Washington is their top player in the frontcourt; he is averaging 13.5 PPG and 6.8 RPG as a 6'6 forward.
SMU is currently ranked 40th overall out of 365 Division I teams according to KenPom. They are 49th in offensive efficiency and 45th in defensive efficiency. The Mustangs play relatively fast, ranking 59th in the nation in pace of play.
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
Tigers Suffer First Loss
The LSU Tigers will be looking to get back to their winning ways, as they opened their season with eight consecutive victories before falling to the 19th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Tigers need to prove they can win against tough competition, as they were favored in all of their first eight games. Their best wins came as 5.5-point favorites against DePaul and 7-point favorites against Boston College.
In their last game, LSU was led by Dedan Thomas Jr. with 13 points in their loss to Texas Tech. Thomas is a 6’1 junior guard who averaged over 13 points per game the last two seasons with UNLV before transferring over to LSU. He is now running the show for the Tigers, averaging 15.2 PPG and leading the team with 6.3 APG. Their top scorer on the year is Mike Nwoko, a strong 6’10, 260-pound junior center originally out of Toronto. Nwoko is averaging 16.0 PPG and 5.8 RPG in his first season with the team since transferring in from Mississippi State. Marquel Sutton is another scorer, the athletic 6’8 senior forward gets 12.6 PPG and 8.9 RPG on the inside.
LSU is ranked 39th overall according to KenPom. They are 52nd in offensive efficiency and 41st in defensive efficiency. They play slightly slower than SMU, ranking 91st in pace of play.
Key Injuries for SMU vs. LSU:
SMU
- None listed
LSU
- None listed
SMU vs. LSU Picks and Predictions
Spread pick for SMU vs. LSU
- SMU -1.5 (5 units)
These teams are ranked very similarly in KenPom; they are only one spot apart overall, and are in a very similar range in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The difference is the strength of the teams, as SMU is led by high scoring, outside shooting guards, while LSU is led by its strong forwards and centers in the post. In this era of modern basketball, I will side with the team that has two electric guards, both scoring over 19.0 PPG. Miller and Pierre will control this game from the perimeter, and LSU will not be able to keep up trading twos for threes. This game is at the Pelicans’ home floor, and though it is clearly closer to LSU, it will not feel like a home game in this much larger arena.
Take SMU to win and cover.
Over/Under Pick for SMU vs. LSU
- Over 157.5 (4 units)
The difference in styles will lead to a high-scoring affair here, as both offenses will be able to play to their strengths. SMU is much stronger on the perimeter, so Miller and Pierre will be able to get their usual buckets and fill it up from the outside. LSU is much tougher on the interior, so Nwoko and Sutton will be able to attack the rim and offensive glass without much resistance. Add on top of this that both of these teams are in the top 100 in pace of play in KenPom, and it is clear this will be a high-scoring game.
Take the over.
Betting on College Basketball?
- Join Winners and Whiners premium for free and get a free $30 coupon with code FREE30
- Get started and wager on college hoops today with our favorite online sportsbooks
- Claim a CBB betting bonus offer with the best sportsbook promos
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
