The No. 25 Arkansas Razorbacks are on the road to take on the Missouri Tigers as one of several NCAA basketball games today. It is one of several games on the NCAAB schedule that will impact the college basketball standings at this point in the year, and this game is no exception.
The Razorbacks (12-5, 1-4 Southeastern Conference) were popular among college basketball picks early in the season but have had some injuries. Still, they should rally, get back in SEC play, and become a strong March Madness bets contender.
Meanwhile, the Tigers (13-4, 2-3) have been the surprise of the season under coach Dennis Gates, who is in his first season. They were one of the worst NCAA basketball teams last season, and he has turned them into a winner, though they are 4-4 in their last eight games.
Here is what fans need to know before making an Arkansas vs. Missouri prediction.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Missouri Tigers Information
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri
How to watch: SEC Network | ESPN+
Last Game Score
Each team suffered a setback during their last time out. The Razorbacks were upset as road favorites in one of the cathedrals of college basketball when they visited the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gymnasium.
The Commodores scored 63 points in the second half in a heated game to win convincingly, 97-84. Ricky Council IV had 24 points for Arkansas, which assisted 30 of its 31 made field goals. But the Hogs lost the rebounding margin, 31-25, and turnover margin, 11-8.
Missouri was an underdog when it lost 73-64 to the Florida Gators after being tied at halftime. Kobe Brown, who is one of Missouri’s top college basketball players, struggled to shoot, but he had 21 points, six rebounds, and five steals. The team was 3 for 18 on 3-pointers.
The Tigers were only outrebounded by one and had four fewer turnovers but committed eight more fouls.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Missouri Tigers Betting Analysis
The two teams have a history in a series dating back to the 1950-51 season.
Arkansas holds a 33-26 advantage over the Tigers, and the Razorbacks are 14-8 since Missouri joined the Southeastern Conference in 2012-13. Missouri, though, is 16-12 on its home court against the Razorbacks.
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks have won five straight in the series and are 4-1 against the spread in that span. Arkansas was a 74-68 winner over Missouri on its home court on Jan. 4 for its only Southeastern Conference win of the season. We will see how that factors into our Arkansas vs. Missouri prediction.
Arkansas Razorbacks’ stats show they are one of the top offenses in the country but really struggle on the perimeter. They are 85th nationally, scoring at 76.2 points per game, and 48th in making 47.3% of their field goal attempts. However, they are 345th at making 29.1% of their 3-point shots and 231st at the free throw line, where they make 69.6% of shots. Their 33.2 rebounds per game are 139th.
Defensively, the Razorbacks have been solid this season but are struggling in Southeastern Conference play. They are 91st nationally in holding teams to 66.1 points per game. They rank 139th in limiting teams to 42.3% on field goal attempts and 99th in holding teams to 31.6% on 3-point shots. They are 46th in allowing 28.3 rebounds per game.
But the college basketball injury report has really hurt a promising season for the Razorbacks. Star forward Travon Brazile was lost for the season due to a knee injury in early December. Another star guard Nolan Smith Jr. is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
But they brought in one of the top recruiting classes in the country, led by Anthony Black. He is the second active leading scorer behind Council Iv (18.3 points per game) and the injured Smith Jr. (12.8) at 12.4 points per game. He also averages 5.1 rebounds, a team-best 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Missouri Tigers
Against all Missouri Tigers odds, Gates has brought the program back to prominence at a historic rate. He used the transfer portal very well to stock the talent pool in the program and built an aggressive offense that is wearing teams down.
The Tigers are ninth nationally in scoring 84.4 points per game, 16th in converting 48.9% of field goal attempts, 120th in making 35.1% of 3-point attempts, and 39th in making 75.4% of free throw attempts. They are 332nd in grabbing 28.7 rebounds per game.
Defensively is where they struggle, however. They are 326th in allowing 75.4 points per game, 274th in allowing a 44.8% field goal conversion rate, and 306th in allowing teams to make 36.1% of 3-point shots. They are 301st in allowing 33.4 rebounds per game.
In-state transfer Isiaih Mosley is questionable due to personal reasons. He is one of the star transfers who has played eight games this season.
The Tigers have four players in double figures, led by Brown at 15.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Odds Breakdown
Arkansas Razorbacks
Moneyline: +105 – not bad NCAAB odds for a ranked opponent.
Spread: +1.5 – it is the fourth time the Razorbacks have been underdogs this season.
Over/Under: 155.5 (-110) – this is Arkansas’s highest total this season.
Missouri Tigers
Moneyline: -125 – not bad if someone is bold enough to believe in the Tigers.
Spread: -1.5 – it is the seventh time the Tigers are favored and second by 2.5 points or less.
Over/Under: 155.5 (-110) – this is on par with Missouri’s point totals and the third highest.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Missouri Tigers Betting Pick and Prediction
Alas, it is time for our Arkansas vs. Missouri prediction. A horrible 3-point shooting team should help Missouri’s defense, and if Mosley can play, it adds to the Tigers’ talent. It will be an up-and-down game where the team with dead-ball turnovers over live-ball turnovers may come out as the winner. Both teams like to use turnovers to get out and score in transition as much as they can.
Arkansas is 7-9-1 against the spread and 5-11-1 on over/under, plus 0-3 straight up on the road.
Missouri is 9-8 against the spread and 10-7 on over/under, plus 10-1 straight up at home.
Pick 1: Arkansas +1.5
Pick 2: Under 155.5
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