Louisville Cardinals Defeat SMU Mustangs 88-74
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · KFC Yum! Center
Louisville Cardinals 88, SMU Mustangs 74, 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 SMU Mustangs vs Louisville Cardinals?
Louisville Cardinals beat SMU Mustangs 88-74 at KFC Yum! Center on January 31, 2026.
Who was favored in SMU Mustangs vs Louisville Cardinals?
Louisville Cardinals were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -575 (about 85% implied). The favorite won.
In a compelling NCAAB matchup at the KFC Yum! Center, the Louisville Cardinals secured a decisive victory over the SMU Mustangs, finishing the game with a score of 88-74. Both teams entered the contest with identical records of 15-6, making this game particularly significant as they vied for positioning in their respective conferences. The Cardinals, despite a recent struggle reflected in their last ten games with a record of 5-5, managed to turn the tide in front of their home crowd.
Louisville's recent form had been mixed, with their last ten games showing an average of 77.7 points scored and 72.5 points allowed. They entered the game on a one-game losing streak, having lost to the Duke Blue Devils just days prior with a score of 52-83. However, they had previously demonstrated their scoring ability with a standout performance against the Pittsburgh Panthers, winning 100-59. At home, the Cardinals held a record of 3-2 in their last five games, averaging 76.4 points while allowing 70.8.
On the other side, the SMU Mustangs came into the game with a slightly better recent performance, boasting a record of 6-4 over their last ten games. They were riding a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated the Florida State Seminoles 83-80 and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 91-79. The Mustangs averaged 84.7 points scored and 78.0 points allowed during this stretch, showcasing their offensive capabilities. However, their away record was a concern, as they had only won one of their last four away games.
The two teams had met previously in the 2025 season, with Louisville emerging victorious in that encounter as well, winning 98-73 in a game played in Dallas. This history may have played a role in the Cardinals' confidence heading into this matchup.
In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any significant absences for either team, allowing both squads to field their strongest lineups. This factor contributed to an exciting atmosphere, as both teams were at full strength.
The market had set the odds for this matchup with Louisville favored at -9.5 points according to DraftKings, with a total points line of 163.5. The home money line was listed at -575.0, while SMU's was at 425.0, reflecting the expectation that Louisville would perform strongly at home.
Conditions in the KFC Yum! Center were favorable for basketball, with a vibrant crowd supporting the home team. The atmosphere was electric, and the players responded with a high-energy performance.
As the game unfolded, Louisville demonstrated their offensive prowess, with standout plays including multiple three-pointers from Isaac McKneely and a series of free throws that helped extend their lead in the second half. The scoring plays highlighted the Cardinals' ability to capitalize on opportunities, particularly in the latter stages of the game when they pulled away decisively.
Overall, the match showcased Louisville's strengths and their capacity to bounce back from recent setbacks, while SMU struggled to maintain their momentum against a determined home side. The final score of 88-74 not only reflects the Cardinals' dominance but also sets a tone for the remainder of the season as both teams look to solidify their standings.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LOU -9.5 | 163.5 o -108 / u -112 | SMU Mustangs +425 · Louisville Cardinals -575 |
Leaders
- PointsMikel Brown Jr.20Louisville Cardinals
- AssistsMikel Brown Jr.4Louisville Cardinals
- ReboundsKhani Rooths10Louisville Cardinals
- PointsBoopie Miller20SMU Mustangs
- AssistsBoopie Miller4SMU Mustangs
- ReboundsSamet Yigitoglu8SMU Mustangs
Recent form
Louisville Cardinals
Last 10: 5-5Streak L177.7 scored · 72.5 allowed per game3-2 at home
- L52-83at Duke Blue DevilsJan 27
- W85-71vs Virginia Tech HokiesJan 24
- W100-59at Pittsburgh PanthersJan 18
- L70-79vs Virginia CavaliersJan 14
- W75-62vs Boston College EaglesJan 10
- L73-84vs Duke Blue DevilsJan 7
- L76-80at Stanford CardinalJan 3
- W90-70at California Golden BearsDec 31
- W94-54vs Montana GrizzliesDec 20
- L62-83at Tennessee VolunteersDec 17
SMU Mustangs
Last 10: 6-4Streak W284.7 scored · 78 allowed per game1-3 away
- W83-80vs Florida State SeminolesJan 24
- W91-79at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsJan 21
- L68-72vs Virginia CavaliersJan 17
- W77-76vs Virginia Tech HokiesJan 15
- L75-82at Duke Blue DevilsJan 10
- L70-74at Clemson TigersJan 8
- W97-83vs North Carolina Tar HeelsJan 3
- W110-63vs Cal State Fullerton TitansDec 28
- W99-82vs Central Arkansas BearsDec 21
- L77-89at LSU TigersDec 14
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 | SMU Mustangs | Louisville Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-62 | 31-63 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 8-25 | 10-35 |
| Three-point % | 32 | 29 |
| Free throws | 6-9 | 16-23 |
| Free throw % | 67 | 70 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 26 |
| Assists | 7 | 20 |
| Steals | 8 | 9 |
| Blocks | 2 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 18 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 42 |
| Fouls | 20 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 17 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 56 | 36 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half45-42Sananda Fru makes 3-foot dunk
- 1st Half47-42Boopie Miller makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
- 1st Half47-44Kobe Rodgers makes driving layup
- 2nd Half49-44Jaron Pierre Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half49-45J'Vonne Hadley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-48Mikel Brown Jr. makes 27-foot three point jumper (Sananda Fru assists)
- 2nd Half49-49Sananda Fru makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-49Boopie Miller makes 13-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half51-51Khani Rooths makes layup (Kobe Rodgers assists)
- 2nd Half53-51Boopie Miller makes 13-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half53-53Isaac McKneely makes layup (Aly Khalifa assists)
- 2nd Half53-55Kobe Rodgers makes layup (Khani Rooths assists)
- 2nd Half53-58Isaac McKneely makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kobe Rodgers assists)
- 2nd Half53-59Mikel Brown Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-59Sam Walters makes 26-foot three point jumper (Boopie Miller assists)
- 2nd Half58-59Samet Yigitoglu makes 8-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half60-59Samet Yigitoglu makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half60-61Mikel Brown Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half62-61Samet Yigitoglu makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half62-63Ryan Conwell makes driving layup
- 2nd Half62-64Ryan Conwell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half62-67Aly Khalifa makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ryan Conwell assists)
- 2nd Half62-68Khani Rooths makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-69Khani Rooths makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-71Aly Khalifa makes 10-foot floating jump shot (Ryan Conwell assists)
- 2nd Half65-71Corey Washington makes 23-foot three point jumper (Boopie Miller assists)
- 2nd Half65-72Ryan Conwell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-73Ryan Conwell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-73Corey Washington makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half67-75Khani Rooths makes layup (Mikel Brown Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half67-78Mikel Brown Jr. makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half68-78Jaron Pierre Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-78Jaron Pierre Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-81Isaac McKneely makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mikel Brown Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half69-84Isaac McKneely makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mikel Brown Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half71-84Boopie Miller makes 7-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half71-85Mikel Brown Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-86J'Vonne Hadley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-88Mikel Brown Jr. makes layup (J'Vonne Hadley assists)
- 2nd Half74-88Boopie Miller makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot
Win probability
Above the line favours Louisville Cardinals, below favours SMU Mustangs.
Venue
- KFC Yum! CenterLouisville, KY
- Attendance14847
- OfficialsBert Smith, Matt Potter, Eric Lewis
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond