The Florida Gators and the Arkansas Razorbacks meet Saturday in college basketball action from Bud Walton Arena. Here’s an Arkansas vs Florida prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Arkansas vs Florida pick.
Florida Gators Betting Preview
This year the Gators are cooking in the win column, and they’ve quickly become one of the most dangerous teams in the country. Florida has proven that they can play with any other team that steps on the court. It all started with a 13-game win streak. Those victories came versus South Florida, Jacksonville, Grambling, Florida State, Florida A&M, Southern Illinois, Wake Forest, Wichita State, Virginia, Arizona State, North Carolina, North Florida and Stetson in succession. The Gators would take their first (and only) loss versus Kentucky 106-100 last Saturday, but quickly rebounded with a big win over No. 1-ranked Tennessee in their last showing for a 14-1 record overall so far this season.
Florida jumped right down the Volunteers’ throats from the opening horn in their latest win. The Gators went into halftime with a 34-15 advantage, then finished off on a 39-28 run for a dominant 73-43 victory. Leading the charge was Alijah Martin with his 18 points, six boards and two steals. Denzel Aberdeen added 16 points and two rebounds, while Alex Cordon put up a double-double on 12 points and 12 rebounds with four assists and two blocks. Leading the rebounding was Rueben Chinyelu with 15 alongside four points and a block in the win.
Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Preview
Over on the Arkansas side, they’ve been a pretty strong team so far this year as well, but they’re yet to really break through against top-shelf national competition. Arkansas beat Lipscomb in their opener before a loss to Baylor in game two. The Razorbacks would take out Troy, Pacific, Little Rock and Maryland Eastern Shore in the next four before a loss to Illinois. Arkansas hit a win streak after that versus Miami, UTSA, Michigan, Central Arkansas, North Carolina A&T and Oakland. The last two games have both been losses however, as Arkansas has fallen to very good teams in Tennessee and Ole Miss for an 11-4 overall record this year.
In the Ole Miss game back on Wednesday, the Razorbacks entered the second half sporting a 33-33 tie. Arkansas fell behind the rest of the way however, taking a 40-33 deficit to the final buzzer for a 73-66 loss in the end. Leading the team in scoring during the losing effort was Adou Thiero with 17 points and nine rebounds. Johnell Davis added 15 points and three rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench, and Boogie Fland had 14 points with six boards and five assists. DJ Wagner chipped in 11 points and two rebounds as well.
Why the Arkansas Razorbacks will win
- Arkansas has won 21 of its last 23 games at Bud Walton Arena when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- Florida has lost four of its last five day games against the Southeastern Conference.
- Arkansas has won the first half in four of its last five day games at Bud Walton Arena.
Why the Florida Gators will win
- Florida has won each of its last 13 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Arkansas has lost each of its last nine day games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Florida has won the first half in each of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Florida’s last five day games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.
- Each of the last four games between Florida and Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena have produced a total of 153 or fewer points.
Arkansas vs Florida Prediction
I’ll take a stab on Arkansas here. The Razorbacks do need quite a bounce-back effort after a limp second half against Ole Miss in their last outing, though. Arkansas shot just 37.3 percent from the field in that defeat with 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range. That said, the Razorbacks were competitive on the boards (a 36-35 deficit) and had just six turnovers. Arkansas has had a couple of very tough matchups in their last pair, scoring just 117 combined points in those two. If the Razorbacks can catch Florida sleeping after the Gators’ big win over Tennessee however, Arkansas could sneak in there for a cover.
Speaking of Florida, they held Tennessee to just 21.4 percent from the field and had a dominant 56-37 edge on the boards. The Gators didn’t shoot well themselves however (39.7 percent), so there’s plenty of room for improvement. Florida is a stellar scoring team this year and should put up a big number here as well. That said, if Arkansas can get it together and play well at home I could see the Razorbacks sneaking in for a cover.