- The #15 Missouri Tigers are 1.5-point road favorites over the Arkansas Razorbacks tonight
- Missouri has won three straight games, including an impressive 110-98 victory over #4 Alabama on Wednesday
- Check out the Missouri vs Arkansas prediction, odds, and picks below
A pivotal SEC battle is on tap tonight as the surging #15 Missouri Tigers (20-6, 9-4 SEC) travel to Fayetteville to face the Arkansas Razorbacks (15-11, 4-9 SEC).
The Tigers are vying to finish in the top four of the conference standings to secure a double-bye in the SEC tournament.
Oddsmakers like Mizzou’s chances, installing them as slim road favorites in the college basketball odds. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 pm ET from Bud Walton Arena, with ESPN providing the television coverage.
Missouri vs Arkansas Odds
Missouri is currently a 1.5-point favorite, in a contest with a total of 149.5. The Tigers are listed at -125 on the moneyline, with Arkansas coming back at +105.
Odds as of February 22 at ESPN Bet. Missouri Sports Betting is coming, and residents in the Show-Me State can visit Missouri sports betting apps.
Missouri vs Arkansas Prediction
- Missouri -1.5 (-110) at ESPN Bet
Missouri enters this matchup as one of the hottest teams in the country. Per Bart Torvik, the Tigers have been the fourth-best team in the nation since the start of January, with both the eye test and advanced metrics backing up their stellar play. Mizzou’s latest statement win came on Wednesday, a 110-98 home triumph over #4 Alabama.
The Tigers’ offensive attack is multi-pronged and features a unique footprint. They lead the SEC in both free throw attempt rate and three-point attempt rate, while ranking second in the conference in three-point percentage.
When a team can light it up from beyond the arc at a high volume and put constant pressure on the rim to get to the charity stripe, it becomes nearly unstoppable.
Missouri vs Arkansas Adjusted Efficiency Ratings
Arkansas’ strength lies on the defensive end, where it ranks 46th nationally in adjusted efficiency, per KenPom. The Razorbacks have been especially stout since SEC play began, allowing just 93.1 points per 100 possessions in league action. They’ll aim to slow the pace and turn this into a grind-it-out affair.
However, the Hogs will be overmatched by Mizzou’s explosive offense. In the first meeting between these teams on Jan. 18, the Tigers scored 1.19 points per possession in an 83-65 rout. They shut down Arkansas’ lethal transition attack and stifled the Razorbacks’ ball screen actions, rendering their half-court offense useless.
Missouri’s depth and balance will be difficult for Arkansas to contain. The Tigers routinely go 8-9 deep and have multiple guys who can lead the team in scoring on any given night. In the backcourt, Mark Mitchell, Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill form a dynamic trio that can fill it up from all three levels. Down low, forwards Trent Burns and Josh Gray provide strong interior play on both ends.
Missouri vs Arkansas Betting Trends
The betting trends also point towards backing the Tigers. Missouri has covered the spread in each of its last three games, all against NCAA Tournament-caliber opponents. The Tigers are 8-2 ATS over their last 10 contests.
Arkansas, meanwhile, is 5-1 ATS in its last five games. The Hogs are 15-11 versus the number for the season. While they are solid ATS when favored, the Hogs have covered just three times in eight opportunities as an underdog.
The Missouri Tigers will face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks in a highly anticipated college basketball game on Saturday, February 22nd. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their previous games and will be looking to continue their winning streaks.
The Tigers are currently 13-13 overall and 5-8 in conference play. They are led by senior guard Dru Smith, who is averaging 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Missouri is known for their strong defense, holding opponents to just 65.8 points per game on average. However, they have struggled offensively at times this season, shooting just 41.4% from the field.
On the other hand, the Razorbacks are 17-9 overall and 5-8 in conference play. They are led by sophomore guard Isaiah Joe, who is averaging 16.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Arkansas is a high-scoring team, averaging 74.9 points per game, but they have struggled on the defensive end, allowing opponents to score 68.5 points per game on average.
In terms of predictions, this game is expected to be a close matchup between two evenly matched teams. The odds are likely to be in favor of Arkansas due to their higher ranking and better offensive performance this season. However, Missouri’s strong defense could give them an edge in this game.
As for picks, it may be wise to bet on the Razorbacks to win this game, but it could also be a good idea to consider the under on the total points scored due to both teams’ strong defensive play. Ultimately, this game could go either way and will likely come down to which team can execute better on both ends of the court.
Overall, fans can expect an exciting and competitive game between Missouri and Arkansas on Saturday. Both teams will be looking to secure a crucial win as they continue their push towards the postseason. It will be interesting to see how this matchup unfolds and which team comes out on top in the end.