Virginia Cavaliers vs SMU Mustangs Picks and Predictions for Saturday, January 17, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Virginia Cavaliers continue their conference road trip Saturday afternoon with a game in Dallas, Texas, at 12:00 PM against the SMU Mustangs inside Moody Coliseum, and we have you ready to roll with our Virginia vs SMU Tech prediction. Virginia is the 16th-ranked team in the nation, with 15 wins and 2 losses coming into this matchup. SMU remains at home Saturday with thirteen wins and four losses this season. The Cavaliers come into Saturday riding a 4 game-winning streak following a nine-point road victory against Louisville in their last outing. SMU comes into Saturday having won three of the last five, following a narrow 1-point victory against Virginia Tech last time out. Read more about this Virginia vs SMU prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
Notre Dame looks for a win
The Notre Dame offense has fared well enough this season, averaging 73.2 points on 68.1% shooting from the floor, but the Fighting Irish have struggled as of late, scoring just 67.5 points per game over their last four losses. Defensively, Notre Dame is allowing 68.1 points per game this season, but has allowed an average of 75.25 points per game over its last four losses. Defensively, Notre Dame was outmatched in their last outing as Miami scored 81 points on 50% shooting from the floor, knocking down 6 triples. Offensively, Notre Dame did well enough, pouring in 69 points on 47% shooting from the floor and knocking down 7 triples. The Fighting Irish won the rebounding battle by 7, but turned the ball over 18 times in the loss. Jalen Haralson led the Notre Dame offense in their last outing with 18 points on 13 shots and 34 minutes. Sir Mohammed She did 15 points in 12 minutes to lead the way off the bench. The rest of the Notre Dame bench combined to score 20 total points between four players.
Jalen Haralson is leading the Notre Dame offense this season, averaging 15.1 points and 2.4 assists per game. Markus Burton has averaged 18.5 points per game this season for Notre Dame, but has played just 10 times. Braeden Shrewsberry is third on the team this season, averaging 11.3 points per game. Big man Carson Towt averages 6.8 points to go along with the team-leading 10.2 rebounds per game this season.
Key Injury Report for Notre Dame:
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- Kebba Njie (Questionable) – Undisclosed
- Markus Burton (Out) – Ankle
- Tommy Ahnemen (Out) – Knee
SMU looks for 2nd straight win
The SMU offense has been the team's biggest strength this season, averaging 88.4 points or 50% shoot from the floor, but the Mustangs averaged only 72.5 points per game over the last two losses. Defensively, SMU is allowing 77 points per game this season, but has given up an average of 78 points per game over its last two losses. Offensively, SMU was the better team in their last outing, scoring 77 points, including 39 in the first half, on 48% shooting from the floor. Defensively, SMU did just enough, allowing 76 points on 46% shooting from the floor. The Mustangs won the rebounding battle by two and forced 10 turnovers to seal the victory. Boopie Miller led the way for the SMU offense in their last outing, scoring 24 points on 15 shots, including the game-winning half-court heave at the buzzer in 35 minutes of action. Samet Yigitoglu added a 2nd best 14 points, and Jaron Pierre Jr. chipped in 13 points on nine shots. Jaden Toombs added 12 points on 12 shots and 28 minutes off the bench.
Boopie Miller leads the SMU offense this season, averaging 20.8 points and 7.1 assists per game. Jaron Pierre Jr. is second on the team with 17.2 points per game, while BJ Edwards averages 13.4 points per game. Corey Washington is 4th on the roster with 11.9 points per game this season. Big man Samet Yigitoglu is fifth on the team, averaging 11 point 1.3 rebounds per game, and leads the way, pulling in 8.3 rebounds per game. Jaden Toombs is 6th on the roster, averaging 8.8 points per game this season, but has played just 10 times.
Virginia vs SMU Pick
- Virginia vs SMU Spread Pick
Virginia is a better team in this matchup, playing the better basketball coming into Saturday. The Cavaliers are rolling as of late, running hot in conference on their current winning streak. Virginia has a stout defense that will stifle a struggling SMU team for 40 minutes on Saturday. Look for the Cavaliers to establish their game plan early and control this game from the outset. Take Virginia to do the job on both sides of the ball as they pull off the road win and cover in Dallas Saturday afternoon against SMU.
- Virginia vs SMU Over/Under Pick
Virginia is a defensive-minded team entering this matchup, and SMU has struggled mightily as of late. Look for points to come at a premium in this matchup, as both teams will fight for a conference victory. Virginia will do the job on both sides of the ball to get the win, but SMU will use a good defensive effort to stifle the Cavaliers. Except for a back-and-forth affair, as this number goes under the total Saturday afternoon during ACC play in Dallas.
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