Virginia Tech Hokies vs Smu Mustangs Picks and Predictions February 5th 2025

SMU Surprising the ACC in First Season, Faces Key Test Against Virginia Tech

In its debut season in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), SMU has defied expectations, sitting in the upper third of the standings after being projected to finish 13th in the 18-team league. The Mustangs (17-5, 8-3 ACC) have capitalized on a down year for the conference, securing seven of their eight conference wins against teams with losing ACC records.

However, they now face a tougher test on Wednesday night against Virginia Tech (10-12, 5-6 ACC) in Blacksburg, Va., as the Hokies show signs of resurgence.

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SMU’s Success: Taking Advantage of a Weaker ACC

Under first-year head coach Andy Enfield, SMU has won six of its last seven games. While their record is impressive, the Mustangs have yet to consistently prove themselves against the ACC’s top teams.

Their most notable conference victory came in a dominant 85-61 win over Stanford, marking their first win against a team with a winning ACC record.

Enfield, who took over after a successful tenure at USC, has managed to build chemistry despite a roster featuring 10 new players. His emphasis on in-season improvement has been crucial in SMU’s development.

“It’s important that your teams try to improve through the season, like this team has, especially with so many transfers,” Enfield said.

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Virginia Tech’s Turnaround: A Bigger Challenge for SMU?

Virginia Tech, despite a rough start to the season, has gained momentum with two straight road wins over Florida State and Virginia.

The Hokies’ recent success has been driven by Tobi Lawal and Jaden Schutt, who have been standout performers:

• Lawal totaled 34 points and 18 rebounds in those two wins.
• Schutt delivered 34 points while shooting 7-of-16 from three-point range.

Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young believes Schutt is now showing his potential after a slow start.

“He had two years at Duke and he played very little,” Young said. “Took him a bit to get the rust off the hinge, for lack of a better expression.”

Given the Hokies’ recent form, this matchup could be more challenging than SMU’s previous games against weaker ACC opponents.

Key Players Fueling SMU’s Rise

Boopie Miller – The Engine of SMU’s Offense

Wake Forest transfer Boopie Miller has been SMU’s most consistent player, leading the team in:

• Scoring (13.6 PPG)
• Assists (5.9 APG)

His ACC experience has provided much-needed stability for a team full of new faces.

Matt Cross – The All-Around Threat

UMass transfer Matt Cross has stepped up in recent games, averaging:

• 14.0 points and 10.7 rebounds over SMU’s last three contests.

His ability to stretch the floor and contribute on the boards makes him a key factor in SMU’s success.

Samet Yigitoglu – The Emerging Big Man

Freshman Samet Yigitoglu (7-foot-2) is beginning to find his stride, averaging:

• 18.5 points and 7.0 rebounds over his last two games.

After a dominant showing against Stanford, where he posted a +33 plus/minus, Enfield praised his impact.

“He played a spectacular game,” Enfield said. “He was very active defensively.”

With Yigitoglu’s emergence, SMU now boasts a more balanced attack, alleviating early-season reliance on their backcourt.

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What’s at Stake?

A win over Virginia Tech would further solidify SMU’s status as a legitimate contender in the ACC, while a loss could expose their struggles against stronger competition.

For Virginia Tech, this game represents an opportunity to continue their turnaround and push toward .500 in ACC play.

As the Mustangs look to prove they belong among the conference’s elite, Wednesday’s matchup will serve as a critical test of whether SMU’s success is sustainable or merely a product of favorable scheduling.