Arizona State is riding a nice three-game win streak into their matchup versus SMU. SMU is usually one of the top teams in the country, but this year, they are off to a rough start.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!SMU currently sits at 6-3 with early losses to Texas A&M, Dayton, and Wisconsin. They lose when they don’t make it to 70 points, which means their defense falls apart in the losses. They lose to good opponents, which is why this Arizona State matchup proves to be intriguing. ASU hasn’t been good against good opponents either, with both of their losses coming to top 100 KenPom teams.
Can ASU ride a recent hot streak offensively to a win tonight?
Preview:
SMU is led by Junior Guard Zhuric Phelps, who scores 15.2 per game and has yet to score single digits this year. Former Butler Guard Chuck Harris, who transferred to SMU this summer, is averaging 12.8 PPG with a 41% three-point percentage. Alabama transfer Keon Ambrose-Hylton is averaging 9.4 points per game, while Louisville transfer Samuell Williamson is averaging 8.1. Tennessee transfer B.J. Edwards rounds out the starting rotation, shooting 43% from the field.
Their depth is mostly transferred, too, making them a very similar team to Arizona State. They are averaging 76 PPG as a team while allowing 62 PPG. However, as I said earlier, SMU has scored less than 70 in all three losses.
Looking at KenPom, SMU barely beats out ASU. Arizona State is the 87th-ranked team in KenPom. SMU is 78th. SMU has the 106th-best offense and 53rd-best defense. ASU is ranked 195th in offense and 24th in defense. So the slight KenPom edge goes to SMU, but it is close, which shows why this will be a good matchup.
Prediction:
I think ASU takes this one. SMU’s defense is good, but Arizona State is hot offensively right now, and their offensive ranking is skyrocketing. I think Arizona State wins 74-67. I think it is a Jose Perez game today for the Sun Devils.
Who do you think will win this matchup?
