UTSA (3-4) vs. Arkansas (6-2)
December 7, 2024 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Arkansas -18.5; Over/Under: 155.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The UTSA Roadrunners and the Arkansas Razorbacks meet Saturday in college basketball action from Bud Walton Arena. Here’s an Arkansas vs UTSA prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Arkansas vs UTSA pick.
UTSA Roadrunners Betting Preview
The Roadrunners blew out Trinity TX in their opener this year, then hit a losing streak versus Bradley, Little Rock, and Troy. Since then it’s been a pair of wins over Merrimack and Houston Christian before a loss to Saint Mary’s.
In the Saint Mary’s game on Tuesday, UTSA came back from a 39-25 halftime deficit to force overtime but eventually lost 82-74 in a tough outcome. Tops in scoring was Primo Spears with 24 points and three assists.
Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Preview
Over on the Arkansas side, they’ve only got two losses this year versus Baylor and Illinois. Otherwise, the Razorbacks have beaten Lipscomb, Troy, Pacific, Little Rock, MD Eastern Shore, and Miami so far.
Matched up with the Hurricanes in their last outing, the Razorbacks were in trouble with a 40-32 halftime deficit. Arkansas surged from there on a 44-33 run and took the comeback win 76-73, though. Boogie Fland led the team on 18 points with six assists.
Why the Arkansas Razorbacks will win
- Arkansas has won each of its last 15 day games against non-conference opponents at Bud Walton Arena.
- UTSA has lost each of its last six road games after coming off overtime.
- Arkansas has won the first half in 16 of its last 17 day games against non-conference opponents at Bud Walton Arena.
Why the UTSA Roadrunners will win
- Arkansas has lost each of its last four day games.
- Arkansas has lost the first half in three of its last four games against the American Athletic Conference.
Arkansas vs UTSA Prediction
I’ll stay with Arkansas. The Razorbacks played a shaky first half in their last outing versus Miami, but to their credit, the Razorbacks came back in the second. Arkansas mustered a nice 48.4 percent shooting in that one but did have 11 turnovers for 17 Hurricanes points. That said, Arkansas has generally been looking good in comparable matchups so far; they’ve also hit 76 or more points in five straight games.
As for UTSA, they shot just 35.7 percent with 17 turnovers in their OT loss to Saint Mary’s. The Roadrunners have similarly been scoring well though, with 72 or more points in six of seven games so far. Considering UTSA has also given up 71 or more points in all seven games, however, Arkansas should have plenty of opportunities here.
