Kentucky Wildcats vs Arkansas Razorbacks Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/04/2023

by Rod Pearson

Friday, Mar 03, 2023
Game Time: 2:00 pm ET, Saturday, March 4, 2023
Venue:  Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, AR
Where to Watch:  CBS


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Kentucky +4.5, Arkansas -4.5; Over/Under:  141.5 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  Kentucky +4.5, Arkansas -4.5; Over/Under:  141.5 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Kentucky +4.5, Arkansas -4.5; Over/Under:  141.5 points

Season Record

Kentucky Wildcats:  20-10 (11-6) (4th place, SEC)
Arkansas Razorbacks:  19-11 (8-9) (9th place, SEC)

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Recent Form
Kentucky Wildcats:  4-1  last 5
Arkansas Razorbacks:  2-3  last 5


Kentucky Wildcats vs Arkansas Razorbacks Preview and Analysis


Kentucky is coming into this game with a 20-10 record overall and they are 5-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 11-6 in their conference games this season as well. They are entering this game off of a loss against the Vanderbilt Commodores in their last game. Oscar Tshiebwe led the team in points in that game with 21 while Antonio Reeves was next on the team with 14 points. Oscar Tshiebwe and Jacob Toppin each led the team in assists in that game with 2 while Oscar Tshiebwe led the team in rebounds with 20. They were 32.2% from the field, 15.8% from 3-point range, and 71.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 74.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.3 PPG against them. Kentucky has an ATS record of 14-16 this season and their O/U record is 18-12.


Arkansas is coming into this game with a 19-11 record overall and they are 14-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 8-9 in their conference schedule this season as well. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers in their last game. Davonte Davis and Anthony Black each led the team in points in that game with 13 while Nick Smith Jr. was next on the team with 12 points. Davonte Davis and Nick Smith Jr. each led the team in assists in that game with 2 while Davonte Davis led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 36.7% from the field, 36.4% from 3-point range, and 59.1% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 74.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 66.5 PPG against them. Arkansas has an ATS record of 15-14-1 this season and their O/U record is 12-17-1.



Kentucky vs Arkansas Prediction

The current betting odds have Kentucky listed as a 4.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Kentucky did not have a great start to their season but they have come a long way with their 20-10 record overall now. They are only 5-4 in their road games this year but still have a winning record and they have been climbing up the SEC over the last few weeks with their 11-6 conference record. They just lost their last game to Vanderbilt which snapped a big win streak they were on but they have still been very hot over the last few weeks and will be looking to bounce back with a better performance here. Arkansas is 19-11 overall this season but they have struggled a lot in the SEC with a losing 8-9 conference record. They have been a really good home team with their 14-2 home record but they have also lost 2 games in a row now and haven't been playing well over the last few weeks. Arkansas has been sliding at the wrong time while Kentucky got hot at the right time causing these teams to head in opposite directions towards the end of the season. Kentucky lost their last game but they have still been really good lately and they have the potential to pull off an upset in this game. The best way to place a bet here is on Kentucky to cover the spread in this game. 

Kentucky Arkansas Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, March 4, 2023 (2:00 pm ET start time) is Kentucky 68 Arkansas 62.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Kentucky Wildcats Arkansas Razorbacks prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAB predictions and previews.

NCAAB Betting Trends


Kentucky Wildcats: 10-29 ATS after 1 or more consecutive unders. 9-17 ATS after playing 3 consecutive games as favorite. 29-13 UNDER after playing a game as a home favorite.
Arkansas Razorbacks: 28-18 ATS as a home favorite or pick. 28-17 ATS after 1 or more consecutive unders. 13-7 UNDER as a favorite.

Key Injuries


Kentucky Wildcats:  C. Wallace (G) Ques Sat - Leg. S. Wheeler (G) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. G. Darbyshire (G) Out indefinitely - Lower Body.
Arkansas Razorbacks:  T. Brazile (F) out for season - Knee.

Notable Quotes


“When you shoot the way we shot today, you’re going to lose a lot of games. We got open shots, a lot of misses. We missed some free throws down the stretch that could have done some things.” - John Calipari after his team’s loss against Vandy in their last game.


“We didn't finish at the rim. We didn't attack the rim.” - Eric Musselman after his team’s loss against Tennessee in their last game.


Starting Lineups


Kentucky Wildcats
C. Fredrick
C. Livingston
J. Toppin 
O. Tshiebwe 
C. Wallace 

Arkansas Razorbacks
A. Black 
R. Council 
D. Davis 
M. Mitchell 
J. Walsh

Statistical Leaders


Kentucky Wildcats
PPG: O. Tshiebwe (16.5)
APG: S. Wheeler (5.6)
Reb/G: O. Tshiebwe (13.1)

Arkansas Razorbacks
PPG: R. Council IV (16.6)
APG: A. Black (4.2)
Reb/G: T. Brazile (6)

Coaches:
Kentucky Wildcats: John Calipari (14th season)
Arkansas Razorbacks: Eric Musselman (4th season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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