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The No. 8 Baylor Bears (0-1) battle the No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0) in a neutral-court battle at American Airlines Center Saturday. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Baylor vs. Arkansas odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Baylor is No. 8, and Arkansas is No. 16, in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
The Bears faced the No. 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs in Spokane, Wash., Monday and lost 101-63, closing as a 6-point underdog. They were blitzed out of the gate, taking a 19-point deficit into the half. They ended the game shooting just 3-of-21 from deep, which should be improved upon Saturday. Baylor was led by F Norchad Omier, who tallied 15 points. Duke transfer G Jeremy Roach will be a player to keep an eye on as well. The Bears were just 4-5 on the road last season.
The Razorbacks got a makeover this offseason, adding Kentucky long-time head coach John Calipari and numerous of his players from Lexington. Arkansas is starting 3 players that were at Kentucky last season. It throttled Lipscomb 76-60 Wednesday, closing as a 16-point home favorite. The Razorbacks also struggled heavily from keep, shooting just 21% from downtown. They were led by G Boogie Fland, who notched a team-high 17 points.
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Baylor vs. Arkansas odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds Lines last updated at 1:05 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Baylor -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Arkansas +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Against the spread (ATS): Baylor -3.5 (-115) | Arkansas +3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 155.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Baylor vs. Arkansas picks and predictions
Prediction
Baylor 78, Arkansas 72
Moneyline
PASS.
The only playable option on the moneyline is Arkansas, but considering it hasn’t proven itself and has a roster that hasn’t competed at a high level yet this season and has many new pieces, avoid that option.
Against the spread
BET BAYLOR -3.5 (-115).
The Bears have a transfer star in Roach, the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2024 recruiting class and numerous returning players that they can lean on. They disappointed in a road opener against one of the best teams in the country, but the talent is still there, many of which have played with each other before. Baylor shot 14% from deep, and that should improve as four players shot multiple triples and didn’t see one go through.
The Razorbacks struggled from deep against a weaker opponent and had 12 turnovers and just six offensive rebounds. While they won by 16, it wasn’t an overly impressive performance from Calipari’s new roster. The Cats underperformed when the lights were the brightest under Calipari last season.
Expect a bounce-back game from the Bears and take BAYLOR -3.5 (-115).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 155.5 (-110).
Neither team showed in their respective season-opening game that they can shoot efficiency from deep, and both teams had ample turnovers as well. The Razorbacks are 0-1 O/U, and the Bears are only 1-0 O/U because their defense gave up 101 points.
Gonzaga shot 57% from the field and 42% from deep, and the Razorbacks likely won’t be able to hit that numbers. Considering the inefficiency for both sides to open the season, expect a lower scoring game and back UNDER 155.5 (-110).
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