After a bit of a quiet spell in the NCAA Basketball betting season, things are getting back into full swing for the holiday season. Thursday, December 17 will see the SMU Mustangs play the second of consecutive night games when they welcome in the Hampton Pirates to Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas. Tip-off for this one is set for 7 PM EST on ESPN3.

.@SMUBasketball checks in at No. 18 in this week’s @AP_Top25! Join us for 2 games this week!https://t.co/jDIQNoYJgz pic.twitter.com/R63oshOZaq

— SMU Athletics (@SMUMustangs) December 14, 2015

Pirates vs Mustangs College Hoops Odds Game Preview

The solid start to the season by the Mustangs has them as a straight up home favorite. The Hampton Pirates are going to have their work cut out for them if they hope to cover the spread. The OVER/UNDER is always a great bet. View the full tv schedule here.

Why bet on the Hampton Pirates

You have to feel a little bit of sympathy for the Hampton Pirates (4-3), as they have only played one game on home court so far this season. That makes their current win/loss record all the more respectable, and they come into this one having won back to back games on the road. The Pirates have done a decent job of covering against teams with a winning percentage of .600 or higher, and are 4-0 ATS in their last 4. They are also a very healthy 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games against non-conference foes, as well as being 7-0 ATS against teams with a straight up winning record.

Why bet on the SMU Mustangs

It has been a perfect 7-0 start to the season for SMU, and you have to figure they will improve that record when they face Nicholls State on Wednesday night. While the Mustangs have been racking up the wins this season, they have not been a particularly great bet against the spread. They are just 2-3-0 ATS so far, and just 1-1-0 ATS at home. It has been the OVER that has been the bet to play on SMU, especially at home where it has come up in both times of asking this year. Overall, the OVER is at 4-1-0 in the games that SMU have played in the 2015-16 season.

My Expert Pick and Score Prediction

The SMU Mustangs have looked pretty impressive so far this season, and I see nothing to suggest that their winning streak will not continue on Thursday night. They have the edge in every facet of the game, and should walk out with the win on home court. Hampton Pirates 67 SMU Mustangs 78