March Madness: Arkansas vs. Kansas odds, picks and predictions
The Razorbacks lost in the second round of the SEC Tournament 83-80 to the Ole Miss Rebels March 13 in Nashville, though they covered as 4.5-point underdogs with the Over (147) cashing. They beat the South Carolina Gamecocks 72-68 in the first round, pushing as 4 point favorites — the Over (139.5) hit in this one, too. Arkansas has won 5 of its last 7 games, going 4-2-1 against the spread (ATS) with the Over cashing 6 times. The Razorbacks are 14-17-2 ATS on the season.
The Jayhawks lost in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals to the Arizona Wildcats 88-77 March 13 in Kansas City as 3-point underdogs with the Over (153) coming through. Kansas needed OT in its first-round game to beat UCF 99-94, failing to cover as a 10.5-point favorite as the Over (155.5) hit here, too. Kansas won just 3 of its last 7 games to close out the regular season but squeaked by with a 4-3 ATS mark in those. It is 15-18 ATS on the season.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
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Arkansas vs. Kansas odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 6:44 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML) : Arkansas +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Kansas -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
: Arkansas +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Kansas -220 (bet $220 to win $100) Against the spread : Arkansas +5.5 (-115) | Kansas -5.5 (-105)
: Arkansas +5.5 (-115) | Kansas -5.5 (-105) Over/Under (O/U): 146.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Arkansas vs. Kansas picks and predictions
Prediction
Kansas 81, Arkansas 72
PASS.
The only real way to look at the moneyline is in Arkansas' favor — since it's plus-money (+180) — but that's not how I see this playing out. Meanwhile, Kansas (-220) is too expensive to play to win outright.
BET KANSAS -5.5 (-105).
The Jayhawks have size in C Hunter Dickinson (17.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG), athleticism in F KJ Adams (9.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG) and experience in G Dajuan Harris (9.2 PPG, 5.7 APG). With legendary coach Bill Self at the helm, they should come out aggressive and be able to win and cover. Kansas covered in 4 of its last 5 regular-season games and are 2-1 ATS in its last 3 as a single-digit favorite.
The Razorbacks have had an up-and-down season and have a few awful losses, most notably a 19-point defeat at South Carolina (72-53) March 1 and a 78-74 setback at LSU Jan. 14. The Gamecocks finished last and the Tigers 15th in the 16-team SEC, respectively. Excluding the conference tournament in Nashville, Arkansas was 1-3 ATS in a neutral-court setting this season.
BACK KANSAS -5.5 (-105).
BET OVER 146.5 (-105).
Offensively, both teams are hot, and they should stay that way Thursday in Providence.
The Razorbacks have scored at least 72 in 4 consecutive games and at least 80 points in 5 of their last 7 games. The Over cashed in their last 4 outings as well — all 4 above this 146.5 total.
The Jayhawks have gone Over in 3 straight, scoring at least 77 points in each. The Over is 6-2 in their last 8.
Considering these trends, TAKE OVER 146.5 (-105).
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