NCAAB · Final

Syracuse Edges SMU in Thrilling Finish

Saturday, February 14, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · JMA Wireless Dome

Syracuse Orange 79, SMU Mustangs 78, 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 Syracuse Orange?

Syracuse Orange beat SMU Mustangs 79-78 at JMA Wireless Dome on February 14, 2026.

Who was favored in SMU Mustangs vs Syracuse Orange?

SMU Mustangs were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -135 (about 57% implied). The underdog won.

In a nail-biting contest at the JMA Wireless Dome, the Syracuse Orange triumphed over the SMU Mustangs with a final score of 79-78. This matchup was particularly intriguing as it featured two teams with contrasting recent performances. Syracuse entered the game with a home record of 15-11, while SMU boasted an away record of 17-8. The stakes were high, with both teams looking to improve their standings as the season progressed.

Syracuse's recent form showed a mixed bag of results, with a record of 4-6 over their last ten games. However, they were on a one-game winning streak, having defeated the California Golden Bears 107-100 in their previous outing. Their scoring average in those last ten games was 79.7 points per game, but they also allowed an average of 81.9 points, indicating a tendency for high-scoring affairs. At home, Syracuse had a record of 3-2 in their last five games, scoring an average of 79.4 points while allowing 83.8.

On the other hand, SMU had a record of 5-5 in their last ten games and came into the game with a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 89-81. Their scoring average during this stretch was 79.6 points per game, with an average of 78.3 points allowed. SMU's away record in their last five games stood at 2-3, with an average of 83.0 points scored and 80.0 points allowed.

Historically, this fixture had not favored Syracuse, as they had lost both previous meetings against SMU in the 2025 season. The most recent encounter was on March 13, 2025, where Syracuse fell 53-73. Given this context, the Orange were eager to turn the tide in front of their home crowd.

The market had SMU as slight favorites, with DraftKings listing them at -1.5 on the spread and a moneyline of -135, while Syracuse was at +114. The total for the game was set at 157.5, reflecting expectations of a high-scoring contest.

The game conditions were conducive to an exciting matchup, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities. As the game progressed, the tension mounted, particularly in the second half. Key moments included Kiyan Anthony making a crucial free throw that brought the score to 72-71 in favor of Syracuse. SMU responded with a three-pointer from Boopie Miller, which shifted the momentum back to the Mustangs.

In the closing moments, the lead changed hands multiple times, with both teams exchanging baskets. Notably, a driving layup from Nate Kingz secured the final points for Syracuse, sealing their narrow victory. The final score of 79-78 was a testament to the competitive spirit displayed by both teams throughout the game.

Overall, this thrilling encounter not only highlighted Syracuse's resilience but also underscored the intensity of college basketball, where every game can be a battle decided by the slimmest of margins.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	SMU -1.5	157.5 o -110 / u -110	SMU Mustangs -135 · Syracuse Orange +114

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsDonnie Freeman18Syracuse Orange
AssistsNaithan George6Syracuse Orange
ReboundsWilliam Kyle III7Syracuse Orange
PointsJaden Toombs19SMU Mustangs
AssistsBoopie Miller7SMU Mustangs
ReboundsCorey Washington9SMU Mustangs

Recent form

Syracuse Orange

Last 10: 4-6Streak W179.7 scored · 81.9 allowed per game3-2 at home

W107-100vs California Golden BearsFeb 12
L59-72at Virginia CavaliersFeb 7
L77-87at North Carolina Tar HeelsFeb 3
W86-72vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishJan 31
L68-88at NC State WolfpackJan 28
L76-85vs Miami HurricanesJan 24
L74-76vs Virginia Tech HokiesJan 22
L73-81at Boston College EaglesJan 17
W94-86vs Florida State SeminolesJan 14
W83-72at Pittsburgh PanthersJan 10

SMU Mustangs

Last 10: 5-5Streak W279.6 scored · 78.3 allowed per game2-3 away

W89-81vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishFeb 11
W86-67at Pittsburgh PanthersFeb 7
L83-84vs NC State WolfpackFeb 4
L74-88at Louisville CardinalsJan 31
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

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	Syracuse Orange
Field goals	29-67	27-60
Field goal %	43	45
Three-pointers	7-20	11-30
Three-point %	35	37
Free throws	13-17	14-18
Free throw %	76	78
Rebounds	41	35
Offensive rebounds	16	11
Defensive rebounds	25	24
Assists	16	14
Steals	6	2
Blocks	2	8
Turnovers	6	8
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	10	8
Fast-break points	13	6
Points in the paint	44	26
Fouls	19	16
Largest lead	12	2
Lead changes	7	7
Time in front	92	4

How the scoring went

2nd Half42-39Donnie Freeman makes driving layup
2nd Half45-39Boopie Miller makes 26-foot three point jumper (B.J. Edwards assists)
2nd Half46-39Jaden Toombs makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half47-39Jaden Toombs makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half47-40Donnie Freeman makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half47-41Donnie Freeman makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half49-41Corey Washington makes driving layup (Jaron Pierre Jr. assists)
2nd Half51-41Jaron Pierre Jr. makes layup (Boopie Miller assists)
2nd Half51-44Donnie Freeman makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kiyan Anthony assists)
2nd Half54-44Boopie Miller makes 29-foot three point jumper (Corey Washington assists)
2nd Half55-44Boopie Miller makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half56-44Boopie Miller makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half56-47Kiyan Anthony makes 25-foot three point jumper (Naithan George assists)
2nd Half57-47Samet Yigitoglu makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-47Jaden Toombs makes 5-foot jumper (Boopie Miller assists)
2nd Half59-49Naithan George makes 13-foot jumper
2nd Half61-49Samet Yigitoglu makes layup
2nd Half61-52Nate Kingz makes 26-foot three point jumper (Donnie Freeman assists)
2nd Half61-54Kiyan Anthony makes driving layup
2nd Half62-54Jaden Toombs makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-54Jaden Toombs makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half63-56Nate Kingz makes 10-foot jumper (Naithan George assists)
2nd Half64-56Jaden Toombs makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half64-58Kiyan Anthony makes 16-foot jumper
2nd Half66-58Corey Washington makes 10-foot jumper (Jaron Pierre Jr. assists)
2nd Half66-61Kiyan Anthony makes 31-foot three point jumper (Naithan George assists)
2nd Half69-61Jaron Pierre Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Corey Washington assists)
2nd Half69-64Tyler Betsey makes 25-foot three point jumper (Nate Kingz assists)
2nd Half69-67Naithan George makes 28-foot three point jumper
2nd Half71-67B.J. Edwards makes layup
2nd Half71-69Tyler Betsey makes 9-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half71-71Kiyan Anthony makes driving layup
2nd Half71-72Kiyan Anthony makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half74-72Boopie Miller makes 27-foot three point jumper (Samet Yigitoglu assists)
2nd Half75-72Corey Washington makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half76-72Corey Washington makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half76-75Tyler Betsey makes 26-foot three point jumper (Donnie Freeman assists)
2nd Half76-77Naithan George makes layup
2nd Half78-77Jaden Toombs makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half78-79Nate Kingz makes driving layup