Thu Mar 20 01:30:00 UTC 2025: **SMU Mustangs Favored to Cruise Past Northern Iowa in NIT Opener**

DALLAS, TX – The SMU Mustangs, stinging from their exclusion from the NCAA Tournament, open their NIT campaign Wednesday night as heavy favorites against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET at Moody Coliseum.

Despite a late-season slump that saw them alternate wins and losses in their final ten games, including a disappointing loss to Clemson in the ACC Tournament, the Mustangs enter the NIT ranked 47th overall by KenPom. Their high-powered offense, averaging among the top 40 nationally in scoring and boasting a 37.6% three-point shooting percentage, is expected to dominate a Northern Iowa team that hasn’t faced ranked opposition this season and sits outside the KenPom Top 100.

Sports analysts predict a comfortable victory for SMU, with the Mustangs favored by 10.5 points. Their superior offensive firepower, coupled with Northern Iowa’s defensive weaknesses (ranked 181st in field goal percentage defense and 293rd in three-point defense), suggests a lopsided affair. Furthermore, both teams have recently exhibited a trend toward lower-scoring games, potentially resulting in a game that stays under the projected total points.

While the Panthers stumbled into the NIT, losing three of their final four games, their recent struggles scoring – failing to surpass 63 points in each of those defeats – further underscores the significant mismatch. SMU’s experience competing in the more challenging ACC conference is another factor tipping the scales in their favor.

The article also includes betting advice, with the recommendation to wager on SMU -10.5. However, readers are reminded to check local laws regarding online sports betting before placing any wagers.

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