Arkansas Razorbacks vs. LSU Tigers Prediction & Game Preview - 1/15/2022

Time: 2 p.m. ET

Venue: Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, LA

Where to watch: ESPN2

DraftKings: LSU -7

BetMGM: LSU -6.5

Caesars: LSU -6.5

Arkansas: 11-5 (1-3 SEC)

No. 12 LSU: 15-1 (3-1 SEC)

We've learned over their last seven games that the Arkansas Razorbacks are nowhere near the team they should be.

Line them up against the LSU Tigers and things aren't going to get any better against one of the best teams in the SEC.

One thing I analyze more than I should when it comes to college basketball is how teams respond after very tough losses; especially after games where they were soundly defeated in said losses.

I look at LSU and how it's played since losing at No. 4 Auburn on Dec. 29 and can't help but be impressed with the response. It started with that 5-point win over Kentucky at home, and then an impressive 12-point victory at home against Tennessee.

Then you hit the road to Gainesville and knock off a Florida team that has already put together some impressive wins this season. Darius Days scored 20 points in his home state and Eric Gaines chipped in 15 to continue this terrific start for the Tigers.

"Give our guys credit, man," LSU coach Will Wade said. "We're a tough out. We've got guys that step up and come through for us. … We just dug it out there. We didn't have our normal lineups in there; we had lineups in there we've never practiced with. Our guys just found a way."

They are a tough out and might be the deepest team in the SEC outside of Auburn. Tari Eason is their leading scorer at 15.5 points per game in just 23 minutes a night. Days, who shoots 35.5 percent from 3-point range in just 29.6 minutes per night.

That's not even talking about the stellar play LSU has gotten from point guard Xavier Pinson, who leads LSU is assists (4.6) and steals (2.1). He'll likely be guarding JD Notae all game long, which means Arkansas needs someone else to carry the scoring while Notae, averaging 18.8 per game, works to create his own offense. It's going to be a grind for the Hogs.

LSU won't have any problems finding depth to get the ball in the hoop. The Tigers have six players that average at least 8 points per game. They'll be at home, they're laying a reasonable seven points against a program that has not lost a road game to this point, while LSU is 10-0 at home. Give me the Tigers. LSU by 14

Arkansas is 10-15 ATS on the road in the past three seasons.

Arkansas is 6-8 ATS as an underdog the past three seasons.

LSU is 10-0 ATS as a home favorite this season.

LSU is 14-0 straight up as a favorite this season.

PG: Chris Lykes

SG: J.D. Notae
SF: Jax Robinson
PF: Trey Wade
C: Jaylin Williams

PG: Xavier Pinson

SG: Brandon Murray
SF: Mwani Wilkinson
PF: Darius Days
C: Efton Reid