Arkansas Razorbacks (14-14) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (20-8)
March 2, 2024 1:30 pm EDT
The Line: Kentucky Wildcats -12.5; Over/Under: -
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The Arkansas Razorbacks and the Kentucky Wildcats meet Saturday in college basketball action from Rupp Arena. Arkansas comes into this one at 14-14 so far following a loss to Vanderbilt. As for Kentucky, they’re 20-8 overall and coming off a win over Mississippi State. Let’s get into our Arkansas vs. Kentucky prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks have had a pretty choppy year in the win column. Arkansas managed to stay above .500 for their first 21 games (11-10) and since then they’ve gone 3-4. The Razorbacks are 2-1 in their last three however, beating Texas A&M and Missouri before a loss to Vanderbilt.
In the Vanderbilt matchup back on Tuesday, the Razorbacks were down by four points at halftime. Arkansas got better from there with 51 points but still lost 85-82. Khalif Battle was the top team scorer with his 36 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in the defeat.
Kentucky Wildcats
Over on the Wildcats’ side, they went 15-6 to start the year. Those losses came versus Kansas, UNC Wilmington, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Kentucky is 5-2 since then with wins over Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Auburn, Alabama and Mississippi State in that time.
On Tuesday in the road matchup versus Mississippi State, the Wildcats had a close call. Kentucky came out of the break with a 43-35 deficit but fought back on a 56-46 run to power out the win 91-89. Reed Sheppard came off the bench to save the day on 32 points and seven assists.
ANDREW’S FREE ARKANSAS VS KENTUCKY PREDICTION
I’ll lean toward Kentucky. You could make a case the other way however, considering how close the Wildcats’ recent games have been. The Mississippi State matchup was a thriller, but Kentucky prevailed on 55 percent shooting in the end. The Wildcats did get outmuscled on the boards 34-27 and gave up 51.6 percent shooting on the other side, however. Two of Kentucky’s last three have been decided by two points or fewer, but it’s worth noting that both of those were on the road.
Back on January 27 when these teams last met, the Wildcats pulled off a 63-57 road win. Kentucky ended up shooting just 36.5 percent from the field with a 44-39 rebounding deficit. Defense saved things however (33.3 percent shooting allowed), as the Wildcats took the victory. Kentucky should still be in full control during this rematch, and I think they’ll power out a cover.
