Sun Mar 23 20:30:00 UTC 2025: ## SMU Mustangs Favored to Rout Oklahoma State in NIT Showdown

**Dallas, TX** – The SMU Mustangs are heavily favored to advance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) as they face off against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sunday. Sports analyst Rob Paul predicts a decisive victory for SMU, forecasting a final score of 86-73.

While SMU fell short of an NCAA Tournament berth, their strong season – just a couple of wins shy of March Madness – makes them the NIT favorites. The Mustangs boast a potent offense, ranking 48th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, compared to Oklahoma State’s 145th ranking. This offensive disparity is expected to be the key factor in the game.

Oklahoma State, under first-year coach Steve Lutz, struggled this season with a 16-17 record and a weak defense. Their defensive shortcomings are expected to be exploited by SMU’s balanced attack, featuring six players averaging double-digit points. Even without leading scorer Kevin “Boopie” Miller, the Mustangs possess the depth to overwhelm the Cowboys.

Paul’s prediction includes an SMU victory by a margin exceeding 9.5 points, along with a total game score surpassing 157.5 points. He highlights SMU’s offensive firepower, including their high field goal percentage and three-point shooting accuracy, as key factors in their projected win. While Oklahoma State’s Bryce Thompson and Abou Ousmane are capable of scoring, their offense is unlikely to keep pace with SMU’s high-scoring potential.

The game is anticipated to be high-scoring, but Paul also suggests a same-game parlay bet on SMU winning and neither team scoring over 80 points, acknowledging Oklahoma State’s potential to reach the 70s. The analyst’s confidence stems from SMU’s recent success, having won the moneyline in 19 of their last 27 games. The article emphasizes the need to check local laws before engaging in online sports betting.

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