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The Miners enter the contest at 16-13 overall, and 9-6 in Conference USA play, and are fresh off a heartbreaking 56-54 home loss to #25 Memphis on Tuesday. They've been fairly inconsistent in recent weeks, but have played solid ball their last few times out, and will be looking to gain some momentum heading into next week's C-USA tournament.
The Mustangs come into the game at 15-15 overall, and 5-10 in C-USA play. After starting off the season hot, they've struggled to find any consistent play in conference, and have yet to have even a two game winning streak at any point in 2013. After winning Wednesday at Tulsa, they'll have the opportunity to finish the regular with a two game win streak by picking up the victory today.
The two teams last met on January 19th in El Paso, in a game that was controlled by UTEP nearly from start to finish. In the end, the Miners walked away with a 63-54 victory. The two teams last played in Dallas on March 3rd of last year. The Mustangs took that one by a final of 57-48.
The Miners own a 26-15 all time advantage in the series with SMU, and have won 18 of the last 20 meetings, including 14 of 16 since joining Conference USA. Both wins for the Mustangs have come in Dallas (2008, 2011).
Normally, the Mustangs play their home contests at Moody Coliseum, but due to renovations today's game will be held at the Curtis Culwell Center, a 7,000 seat special events center in Garland, TX. Tipoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. MT, and the game will be carried live by Time Warner Cable Sports.
MinerRush prediction:
Miners 68, Mustangs 62.