SMU Mustangs Defeat North Carolina Tar Heels 97-83
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 2:15 PM ET · Moody Coliseum (Dallas)
SMU Mustangs 97, North Carolina Tar Heels 83, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won North Carolina Tar Heels vs SMU Mustangs?
SMU Mustangs beat North Carolina Tar Heels 97-83 at Moody Coliseum (Dallas) on January 3, 2026.
Who was favored in North Carolina Tar Heels vs SMU Mustangs?
SMU Mustangs were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -118 (about 54% implied). The favorite won.
The SMU Mustangs showcased their offensive prowess in a commanding 97-83 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels at Moody Coliseum in Dallas. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it featured two teams with strong records, with SMU entering the game with a home record of 12-2 and the Tar Heels boasting an away record of 13-2. The Mustangs have now improved their home record to 8-2 in their last ten games, while the Tar Heels, despite the loss, maintained a solid away record of 2-1 in their recent outings.
In the lead-up to the game, SMU had been on a two-game winning streak, scoring an average of 91.7 points per game while allowing 76.9. Their recent form included a dominant 110-63 win against Cal State Fullerton and a 99-82 victory over Central Arkansas. The Mustangs' scoring capabilities were on full display as they averaged 89.6 points over their last five games, with their only two losses in that stretch coming from away games.
On the other hand, North Carolina entered the contest riding a seven-game winning streak, having outscored their opponents by an average of 77.0 points while allowing only 63.7. Their last ten games yielded a record of 9-1, with impressive victories, including a 79-66 win against Florida State and a 99-51 blowout against East Carolina. The Tar Heels’ ability to maintain a strong defensive presence has been a critical factor in their success this season.
Historically, this matchup had seen the Mustangs struggle against the Tar Heels, with their last encounter resulting in a loss for SMU, where they fell 67-82 on January 8, 2025. However, the Mustangs turned the tables in this latest meeting, demonstrating their growth and resilience.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant player absences that could have impacted the game, allowing both teams to field their strongest lineups. The matchup was also set against the backdrop of favorable conditions at Moody Coliseum, with the venue providing a vibrant atmosphere for the home team.
As for the betting lines, DraftKings had SMU favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 155.5. The odds reflected the close nature of the contest, with SMU at -118.0 on the moneyline and North Carolina at -102.0, indicating a competitive matchup expected by the market.
Throughout the game, viewers were treated to a display of skill and athleticism. Key moments included Jaden Toombs’ impressive alley-oop dunk and a critical three-point jumper that helped solidify SMU's lead in the second half. The Mustangs' ability to convert free throws in crucial moments, with players like Jaron Pierre Jr. and Henri Veesaar stepping up, also contributed to their victory.
In the end, SMU's strong home performance and offensive execution proved too much for North Carolina, allowing them to secure a decisive win and further establish their dominance at home.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | SMU -1.5 | 155.5 o -115 / u -105 | North Carolina Tar Heels -102 · SMU Mustangs -118 |
Leaders
- PointsBoopie Miller27SMU Mustangs
- AssistsBoopie Miller12SMU Mustangs
- ReboundsCorey Washington6SMU Mustangs
- PointsSeth Trimble22North Carolina Tar Heels
- AssistsLuka Bogavac6North Carolina Tar Heels
- ReboundsCaleb Wilson7North Carolina Tar Heels
Recent form
SMU Mustangs
Last 10: 8-2Streak W291.7 scored · 76.9 allowed per game7-0 at home
- W110-63vs Cal State Fullerton TitansDec 28
- W99-82vs Central Arkansas BearsDec 21
- L77-89at LSU TigersDec 14
- W93-80vs Texas A&M AggiesDec 7
- L69-88at Vanderbilt CommodoresDec 4
- W87-81at Mississippi State BulldogsNov 29
- W89-72vs Radford HighlandersNov 25
- W100-69vs Arkansas State Red WolvesNov 22
- W106-60vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden LionsNov 19
- W87-85vs Butler BulldogsNov 15
North Carolina Tar Heels
Last 10: 9-1Streak W777 scored · 63.7 allowed per game2-0 away
- W79-66vs Florida State SeminolesDec 31
- W99-51vs East Carolina PiratesDec 23
- W71-70at Ohio State BuckeyesDec 20
- W77-58vs East Tennessee State BuccaneersDec 17
- W80-62vs South Carolina Upstate SpartansDec 13
- W81-61vs Georgetown HoyasDec 7
- W67-64at Kentucky WildcatsDec 3
- L58-74vs Michigan State SpartansNov 27
- W85-70vs St. Bonaventure BonniesNov 25
- W73-61vs Navy MidshipmenNov 19
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | North Carolina Tar Heels | SMU Mustangs |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-60 | 36-60 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 60 |
| Three-pointers | 12-28 | 14-27 |
| Three-point % | 43 | 52 |
| Free throws | 13-19 | 11-16 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 69 |
| Rebounds | 30 | 29 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 6 |
| Defensive rebounds | 21 | 23 |
| Assists | 21 | 23 |
| Steals | 4 | 4 |
| Blocks | 1 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 7 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 15 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 36 |
| Fouls | 12 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 10 | 10 |
| Time in front | 10 | 83 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half50-58Boopie Miller makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half50-60Jaden Toombs makes layup (Samet Yigitoglu assists)
- 2nd Half53-60Henri Veesaar makes 24-foot three point jumper (Derek Dixon assists)
- 2nd Half55-60Seth Trimble makes driving layup
- 2nd Half55-63Boopie Miller makes 23-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half56-63Jarin Stevenson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-63Jarin Stevenson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-63Henri Veesaar makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-63Henri Veesaar makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-65B.J. Edwards makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-65Seth Trimble makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-67Boopie Miller makes 14-foot turnaround jump shot (Corey Washington assists)
- 2nd Half61-69B.J. Edwards makes driving layup
- 2nd Half64-69Luka Bogavac makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half65-69Seth Trimble makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-71Jaron Pierre Jr. makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Boopie Miller assists)
- 2nd Half65-74Corey Washington makes 24-foot three point jumper (Boopie Miller assists)
- 2nd Half65-76Boopie Miller makes 13-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half68-76Seth Trimble makes 23-foot three point step back jumpshot (Luka Bogavac assists)
- 2nd Half68-77Corey Washington makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-78Corey Washington makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-78Jarin Stevenson makes layup (Caleb Wilson assists)
- 2nd Half70-81B.J. Edwards makes 22-foot three point jumper (Boopie Miller assists)
- 2nd Half70-82Boopie Miller makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-83Boopie Miller makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-83Seth Trimble makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-86Corey Washington makes 25-foot three point jumper (B.J. Edwards assists)
- 2nd Half72-86Seth Trimble makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-86Henri Veesaar makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Seth Trimble assists)
- 2nd Half74-88Jaron Pierre Jr. makes layup (Samet Yigitoglu assists)
- 2nd Half74-90Boopie Miller makes 17-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half77-90Jarin Stevenson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Derek Dixon assists)
- 2nd Half77-91Jaron Pierre Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-92Jaron Pierre Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-92Henri Veesaar makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-92Henri Veesaar makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half81-92Caleb Wilson makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half81-94Jaden Toombs makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Boopie Miller assists)
- 2nd Half81-97Jaden Toombs makes 26-foot three point jumper (Boopie Miller assists)
- 2nd Half83-97Seth Trimble makes layup (Henri Veesaar assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours SMU Mustangs, below favours North Carolina Tar Heels.
Venue
- Moody Coliseum (Dallas)Dallas, TX
- Attendance6698
- OfficialsJeff Clark, Earl Walton, Eric Lewis
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