The No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks host the South Carolina Gamecocks on Wednesday night in an SEC college basketball matchup. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The Razorbacks are listed as 7.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at O/U 164.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and pick for this SEC college basketball matchup.
Arkansas vs. Texas prediction, preview
The Arkansas Razorbacks are both the 20th-ranked team in the AP Poll and rank 20th in the country in net rating. They are a really solid team and will likely be a top-five seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Razorbacks will be favored in their final two games, ending the regular season with Missouri after this game. With two wins and a good performance in the SEC Tournament, this team could bump to a 4-seed or even a 3-seed. Arkansas plays an exciting brand of basketball, ranking sixth in the nation in offensive rating and 24th in adjusted tempo. Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. is one of the best scorers in the nation, ranking ninth in points per game. However, sophomore guard Billy Richmond III has been coming on strong as of late, leading Arkansas in scoring in each of its past three games.
Texas is currently slated to be a 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament. It seems as if they’re firmly in the March Madness field. However, one more big win would certainly cement their spot in the field and would even improve their seeding. Texas has this chance at an upset over Arkansas, then ends the regular season with what should be an easy home game against Oklahoma. Just like Arkansas, Texas excels on the offensive end of the floor. Arkansas ranks sixth in the nation in offensive rating, and Texas ranks seventh. The Longhorns have four players averaging over 13 points per game this season. Junior guard Dailyn Swain is the clear standout player, leading the team in points, assists, rebounds and steals per game.
Arkansas vs. Texas pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is on the over 164.5 total points. Arkansas plays at a blistering pace. The Longhorns have plenty of offensive firepower. While they are typically more methodical than Arkansas, the Longhorns have the capability to get into a high-scoring game. Each of Arkansas’ last four games has gone over this number. While Arkansas can score in bunches, it has also given up over 110 points in two of its past four games. Texas should be able to put up a big number in this game. However, Darius Acuff Jr. and the Razorbacks should also put up a big number of their own against a Texas team that ranks 109th in the nation in defensive rating. These two teams should look to close out the regular season strong and put up big numbers in this game.
