The Tar Heels will play the Mustangs on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. Your timezone's tip off time is 2:15 pm EST. Check local listings or your nearest streaming app for coverage.
Review our College Basketball Betting guide to learn how to bet this game.
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Table of Contents
- Matchup Stats
- Moneyline Mage
- Best Odds
- Interactive Odds Example
- Prop Bets
- Team Standings
- Futures Odds
- Team Pages
- Other Games Today
Key Matchup Stats
Looking into the second half of the 2025-26 college basketball season, North Carolina and SMU are set to hit the hardwood on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. Luckily, we have some clear performance trends emerging now that each team has more than a dozen games under their belts. Use the following data to help analyze this matchup and to place an intelligent wager on its ultimate outcome.
- SportsBetting3.com Power Rankings - With the 2025-26 season in full stride, North Carolina currently has a 100.00 conference power ranking, while the SportsBetting3.com conference power ranking for SMU is 97.33.
- Away North Carolina - North Carolina starts this game with a 1-0 record as an away team, ranking them 2nd in the ACC Conference for away team wins.
- Home SMU - SMU meets North Carolina boasting a 9-0 record as a home team. They currently rank 3rd in the ACC Conference for home team wins.
- Conference Win Percentage - North Carolina currently ranks 1st (1.000) in the ACC Conference, with SMU now standing 2nd (0.000) for their conference win percentage in the 2025 ACC Conference for the 2025-26 college basketball season.
- Overall Win Percentage - North Carolina has a 0.929 overall win percentage, with SMU matching up with a 0.846 overall win percentage.
- Team Records - North Carolina currently possesses 13-1 regular season overall record. Meanwhile, SMU has tallied a 11-2 standing as the 2025-26 college basketball season continues to unfold.
Moneyline Mage
Spelling out the winners with humor since the middle ages.
Hocus pocus, North Carolina vs. SMU, battle of the wizards on Saturday!
13-1 vs. 11-2, clash of titans with conference records on the line.
North Carolina 1-0 ACC, SMU 0-0 ACC, both on winning streaks. Review the tables below to find the best point spread, total, and moneylines for this game. You can bet on college basketball legally at BetRivers and BetMGM. We've also listed each team's futures odds and current standings below.
Best Tar Heels at Mustangs Odds
| Underdog SMU | Favorite North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Over | Under |
|---|---|
| Underdog SMU | Favorite North Carolina |
|---|---|
Matchup Odds FAQs
North Carolina is a -1.5 +100 point spread favorite at BetMGM, while SMU is a +1.5 -120 point spread underdog at BetMGM.
The best over line is 154.5 -115 points at BetMGM, which means you risk $115 to win $100 betting the over. The best under line is 154.5 -105 points at BetMGM, and that means you risk $105 to win $100 betting the under.
North Carolina is a -110 moneyline favorite at BetMGM and SMU is a -110 moneyline underdog at BetMGM.
College Basketball Odds Example
|
Game |
 BetMGMBet |
|---|---|
North Carolina
SMU
1/03/26 2:15pm EST | -1.5 +100+1.5 -120 |
Underdog SMU - SMU bettors risk $100 to win $83.33 at -120 odds.
A +1.5 SMU underdog bet wins if they lose by 1, tie, or win outright. Your bet loses if they lose by 2 or more.
Favorite North Carolina - North Carolina bettors risk $100 to win $100 at +100 odds.
A -1.5 North Carolina favorite bet wins if they win by 2 or more. Your bet loses if they win by 1, tie, or lose outright.
North Carolina at SMU Prop Bets
Important Note: Some states expressly forbid individual college athlete prop bets. The following wagers may not be available depending on your particular state laws.
| BetMGM Bet |
|
|---|---|
North Carolina
SMU
First to 5 Points
1/03/26 2:15pm EST | -118-118Bet |
North Carolina
SMU
First to 10 Points
1/03/26 2:15pm EST | -118-118Bet |
North Carolina
SMU
First to 15 Points
1/03/26 2:15pm EST | -118-118Bet |
North Carolina
SMU
Game to Overtime
1/03/26 2:15pm EST | Yes +675No -2000Bet |
Team Standings
| Team | W-L | Win% | Home | Away | Conf | CGB | Conf% | Strk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 13-1 | 0.929 | 10-0 | 1-0 | 1-0 | +0.5 | 1.000 | W7 |
| SMU | 11-2 | 0.846 | 9-0 | 1-1 | 0-0 | +1 | 0.000 | W2 |
North Carolina & SMU Futures Odds
Latest College Basketball Championship odds, if available, for each team. Review March Madness odds for other teams and learn how to bet on the college basketball tournament. Also be sure to read Ron Halfback's Final Four write-up.
North Carolina Championship Odds|
Team | BetMGM |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | +3500 Bet |
|
Team | BetMGM |
|---|---|
| SMU | +50000 Bet |
North Carolina & SMU Team Pages
Review each team's futures odds, betting bonuses, current standings and other valuable information on our exclusive team betting odds pages. Team betting odds and stats update throughout the season:
How to Bet on the Game
Time needed: 4 minutes.
How to Bet on the North Carolina vs SMU College Basketball Game
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Open a new sports betting account before game time.
Review our list of sports betting sites. Open a new account before the game starts on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 at 2:15 pm EST, making sure to enter all your personal details correctly. Don't forget to add your bonus code.
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Visit the sportsbook’s cashier, banking, or deposit page.
Navigate to the sportsbook's deposit page. Use your Visa card or MasterCard, or deposit with a bank transfer, or other methods like Paypal.
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Tap to the sportsbook's College Basketball page, look for the North Carolina vs SMU Game.
Navigate to the sportsbook's College Basketball page. Next, look for live or upcoming matchups. Select the North Carolina vs SMU Game.
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Choose your bet and place a wager.
Choose your bet and then use the funds you deposited to place a wager. The sportsbook will pay your winnings or deduct a losing wager from your account balance after the game.
Other January 3, 2026 NCAABB Games
- Virginia vs NC State - 1/03/26 11:00am EST
- Providence vs St. John's - 1/03/26 12:00pm EST
- VCU vs Duquesne - 1/03/26 12:00pm EST
- UTSA vs Temple - 1/03/26 12:00pm EST
- Virginia Tech vs Wake Forest - 1/03/26 12:00pm EST
- Northeastern vs Campbell - 1/03/26 12:00pm EST
- Kentucky vs Alabama - 1/03/26 12:00pm EST
- Villanova vs Butler - 1/03/26 12:00pm EST
- Clemson vs Pittsburgh - 1/03/26 12:00pm EST
- Southern Miss vs Louisiana - 1/03/26 1:00pm EST
- Colgate vs Army - 1/03/26 1:00pm EST
- Vermont vs New Hampshire - 1/03/26 1:00pm EST
- American vs Boston University - 1/03/26 1:00pm EST
- Georgia State vs Coastal Carolina - 1/03/26 1:00pm EST
- Northern Illinois vs Kent State - 1/03/26 1:00pm EST
- Auburn vs Georgia - 1/03/26 1:00pm EST
- Wofford vs The Citadel - 1/03/26 1:00pm EST
- Chattanooga vs VMI - 1/03/26 1:03pm EST
- Oklahoma State vs Texas Tech - 1/03/26 1:06pm EST
- BYU vs Kansas State - 1/03/26 1:30pm EST
- Hofstra vs Drexel - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Xavier vs DePaul - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Ohio vs Eastern Michigan - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- USC Upstate vs Presbyterian - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Eastern Kentucky vs West Georgia - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Albany vs UMass Lowell - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Bowling Green vs UMass - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- South Dakota State vs North Dakota - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Bryant vs Maine - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Dayton vs Loyola Chicago - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Navy vs Holy Cross - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Longwood vs High Point - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Boston College vs Georgia Tech - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- La Salle vs George Washington - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- UNC Asheville vs Charleston Southern - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Stetson vs Central Arkansas - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Ball State vs Buffalo - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- NJIT vs Binghamton - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Houston vs Cincinnati - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Kansas vs UCF - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Baylor vs TCU - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Vanderbilt vs South Carolina - 1/03/26 2:00pm EST
- Toledo vs Central Michigan - 1/03/26 3:00pm EST
- James Madison vs Arkansas State - 1/03/26 3:00pm EST
- Bellarmine vs Queens Charlotte - 1/03/26 3:00pm EST
- Memphis vs Rice - 1/03/26 3:00pm EST
- Florida Gulf Coast vs North Alabama - 1/03/26 3:00pm EST
- Tennessee vs Arkansas - 1/03/26 3:00pm EST
- Akron vs Miami (OH) - 1/03/26 3:30pm EST
- Ole Miss vs Oklahoma - 1/03/26 3:30pm EST
- Florida A&M vs Bethune-Cookman - 1/03/26 3:30pm EST
- Georgia Southern vs Old Dominion - 1/03/26 3:30pm EST
- Texas State vs UL Monroe - 1/03/26 3:30pm EST
- Duke vs Florida State - 1/03/26 3:45pm EST
- LSU vs Texas A&M - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Howard vs SC State - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Western Carolina vs Furman - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Mercer vs East Tennessee State - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- North Carolina A&T vs Stony Brook - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Oral Roberts vs North Dakota State - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Rhode Island vs George Mason - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Utah Valley vs Abilene Christian - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Tennessee State vs Arkansas Little Rock - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- UC Santa Barbara vs Cal State Northridge - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- San Jose State vs Utah State - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Samford vs UNC Greensboro - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Gardner-Webb vs Winthrop - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- East Texas A&M vs Nicholls - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Coppin State vs Delaware State - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Appalachian State vs Marshall - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Alcorn State vs Jackson State - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Arizona vs Utah - 1/03/26 4:00pm EST
- Morehead State vs SIU Edwardsville - 1/03/26 4:30pm EST
- Morgan State vs UMES - 1/03/26 4:30pm EST
- New Orleans vs Northwestern State - 1/03/26 4:30pm EST
- Norfolk State vs NCCU - 1/03/26 4:30pm EST
- South Alabama vs Troy - 1/03/26 4:30pm EST
- Southern Indiana vs Lindenwood - 1/03/26 4:30pm EST
- Stephen F. Austin vs Southeastern Louisiana - 1/03/26 4:30pm EST
- Eastern Illinois vs UT-Martin - 1/03/26 4:30pm EST
- Western Illinois vs SE Missouri State - 1/03/26 4:45pm EST
- California Baptist vs Tarleton - 1/03/26 5:00pm EST
- Jacksonville vs Austin Peay - 1/03/26 5:00pm EST
- Lafayette vs Loyola (MD) - 1/03/26 5:00pm EST
- Lehigh vs Bucknell - 1/03/26 5:00pm EST
- Minnesota vs Northwestern - 1/03/26 5:00pm EST
- Cal State Bakersfield vs UC Davis - 1/03/26 5:00pm EST
- North Florida vs Lipscomb - 1/03/26 5:00pm EST
- Prairie View A&M vs Grambling State - 1/03/26 5:00pm EST
- Houston Christian vs Incarnate Word - 1/03/26 5:00pm EST
- Air Force vs UNLV - 1/03/26 5:05pm EST
- Eastern Washington vs Idaho - 1/03/26 5:05pm EST
- Colorado vs Arizona State - 1/03/26 5:10pm EST
- Texas A&M CC vs UTRGV - 1/03/26 5:30pm EST
- Alabama State vs Miss Valley State - 1/03/26 6:00pm EST
- Mississippi State vs Texas - 1/03/26 6:00pm EST
- Northern Colorado vs Montana - 1/03/26 6:00pm EST
- Monmouth vs Towson - 1/03/26 6:00pm EST
- Wichita State vs Charlotte - 1/03/26 6:00pm EST
- UCLA vs Iowa - 1/03/26 6:00pm EST
- Texas Southern vs Southern - 1/03/26 6:00pm EST
- Portland State vs Idaho State - 1/03/26 6:00pm EST
- Davidson vs Saint Joseph's - 1/03/26 6:00pm EST
- Alabama A&M vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 1/03/26 6:30pm EST
- Illinois vs Penn State - 1/03/26 7:00pm EST
- Nevada vs Fresno State - 1/03/26 7:00pm EST
- Hampton vs UNC Wilmington - 1/03/26 7:00pm EST
- UC Irvine vs Cal State Fullerton - 1/03/26 7:00pm EST
- Colorado State vs Grand Canyon - 1/03/26 8:00pm EST
- UMKC vs Omaha - 1/03/26 8:00pm EST
- Purdue vs Wisconsin - 1/03/26 8:00pm EST
- Northern Arizona vs Montana State - 1/03/26 8:02pm EST
- Wyoming vs New Mexico - 1/03/26 8:10pm EST
- Florida vs Missouri - 1/03/26 8:30pm EST
- UT Arlington vs Southern Utah - 1/03/26 8:30pm EST
- Cal Poly vs Long Beach State - 1/03/26 9:00pm EST
- Sacramento State vs Weber State - 1/03/26 9:00pm EST
- Hawaii vs UC San Diego - 1/03/26 10:00pm EST
- Boise State vs San Diego State - 1/03/26 10:00pm EST