The Arkansas Razorbacks (19-9, 8-7 SEC) battle the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (24-4, 14-1) Saturday. Tip from Coleman Coliseum is set for 2 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Arkansas vs. Alabama odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Alabama beat Arkansas 84-69 on the road Jan. 11, covering as a 1.5-point road underdog as the total (153) pushed.
The Crimson Tide come into this game off a 78-76 takedown of South Carolina Wednesday, failing to cover as 17-point favorites. They are 3-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last 5 games and 16-11-1 ATS on the season.
The Razorbacks beat Georgia 97-65 Tuesday, covering as 13.5-point home favorites. They are 7-3 ATS over their last 10 outings to improve to 14-13-1 ATS on the season.
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Arkansas at Alabama odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:26 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Arkansas +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Alabama -360 (bet $360 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Arkansas +7.5 (-105) | Alabama -7.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 151.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Arkansas at Alabama picks and predictions
Prediction
Alabama 78, Arkansas 68
Moneyline
AVOID.
Do not put Alabama (-360) in your moneyline parlays. Arkansas is a respectable side, and although it is unplayable on the moneyline Saturday, it should still put up a strong fight.
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Against the spread
BET ALABAMA -7.5 (-115).
The Crimson Tide might be 4-5 ATS over their last 9 games, but they are 3-1 ATS at home in that span. They have won their last 3 home games by at least 28 points.
Alabama is 9-4 ATS at home this season while Arkansas is an SEC-worst 2-6 ATS on the road. In conference play, Alabama is also 11-4 ATS while Arkansas is just 6-9 ATS.
The Razorbacks rank 308th in 3-point field goal percentage (31.5%), so keeping pace with a dynamic Crimson Tide attack could be difficult. Couple it all, and back ALABAMA -7.5 (-115).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 151.5 (-110).
Arkansas is 1-3-1 O/U with lines above 145. Its offense is not one that pushes the pace and shoots a ton of 3s. The Razorbacks are the 15th-most efficient shooting team (48.6%), but the Crimson Tide defense ranks 3rd in opponents’ field goal percentage (37.4%).
Alabama is also 2-3 O/U with a total of 150 or higher in its last 10 games. Back the UNDER 151.5 (-105).
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