The SMU Mustangs travel to Louisville for college hoops Saturday in a matchup that has historically favored the Cardinals. Can the Mustangs change their fortunes? Our SMU vs. Louisville prediction has the projected starting lineups and a full score forecast with analysis for this ACC showdown.
SMU vs. Louisville Projected Lineups and Key Matchups
SMU Mustangs Starting Lineup
- Boopie Miller (19.4 PPG)
- B.J. Edwards (14.2 PPG)
- Jaron Pierre Jr. (17.5 PPG)
- Corey Washington (12.3 PPG)
- Samet Yigitoglu (11.0 PPG)
Louisville Cardinals Starting Lineup
- Mikel Brown Jr. (16.6 PPG)
- Ryan Conwell (19.6 PPG)
- J’Vonne Hadley (11.0 PPG)
- Khani Rooths (8.2 PPG)
- Sananda Fru (9.8 PPG)
This will be the 12th all-time meeting between the two programs, with the Cardinals holding a 9-2 advantage. They have won the last four meetings and are a perfect 4-0 at home against the Mustangs.
SMU vs. Louisville Prediction and Preview
According to our power rankings, these are two very similar teams, which means I think more of SMU than you do. I’m perfectly OK with that stance.
This team battled the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor less than three weeks ago, showing a fighting spirit that the Cardinals lacked in the throttling they took at the hands of Duke earlier this week. But this isn’t about a single data point.
The Mustangs have not one, not two, not three, but four players averaging north of 11 points per game this season while shooting over 35% from distance. This is a team built for basketball as we know it in 2026, and that makes them live in a spot like this.
MORE: PFSN’s 2025-2026 Men’s CBB Power Rankings
I’m not dismissing the Cardinals because of what happened in their last outing. If we were all judged for our worst moment, well, none of us would come out looking real good.
This is a team that defends at a high level, usually, and has the rebounding prowess to close out an opponent like SMU. Mikel Brown Jr is going to work into form after missing a month (1-of-13 isn’t happening again), and I think we get a glimpse of what he can do at the perfect time in this spot.
I’ve got this being the game of the day from a viewing perspective, and one that could go either way in the final few minutes.
Prediction: Louisville 79, SMU 76
How To Watch SMU vs. Louisville
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 31, 2025
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Location: Louisville, KY
- Arena: KFC Yum! Center
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: FuboTV
