Arkansas vs. Kansas Expert Pick & Analysis

Arkansas (20-13 SU 17-16 ATS) vs. Kansas (27-7 SU 16-18 ATS)
When: Saturday, March 18th: 5:15 ET
Where: Wells Fargo Arena (IA) Des Moines, IA
TV: CBS
Point Spread: U OF A +3.5/KU -3.5 (Deposit $100 get $100 free with bonus code PREDICT100 at MyBookie Sportsbook!)
Total: 142.5.
Money Line: Ark +154/Kan -189

Arkansas will take on Kansas on Saturday, March 18th at 5:15 ET at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA. The game will be broadcast on CBS. The point spread for this matchup is set at U of A +3.5/KU -3.5, with the total line at 142.5.

Line Movement

This match hit the Oddsboard with the Jayhawks as a -3.5 favorite, and while there has been some movement since the opener, it is back at Kansas -3.5. The total opened at 144.5 points and has been bet down a full two points to 142.5.

Last Game Info

Arkansas will be looking for another win, as they most recently defeated Illinois by a score of 67-61. The Razorbacks also picked up an ATS victory as they were -1 point underdogs. The combined 128 points did not surpass the 138 total line.

Kansas is coming off a 56-76 win over Howard. However, they did not cover the spread in the game as -2 point favorites. The combined 132 points did not surpass the 143 total line.

Current Form

Arkansas
Over their last five games, Arkansas has a straight-up record of 2-3 while going 2-3 vs. the spread. Over this stretch, the Razorbacks’ offense averages 71.2 points per game while hitting 42.1% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed opponents to shoot 48.0% from the field while allowing 77.8 points per contest.

Kansas
In their previous five contests, Kansas is 3-2 straight-up and 3-2 vs. the spread. In these five games, they have a scoring average of 66.2 points per game on a shooting percentage of 44.3%. Defensively, they allow teams to hit 44.2% of their shots while giving up 66.6 points per game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Arkansas’ opponents comes in at xxx. On the other side, Kansas’ combined opponent power rating sits at xxx.

How Does Arkansas Fare On Neutral Courts?

On neutral courts, the Razorbacks put together a mark of 4-2 this season.

How Does Kansas Fare On Neutral Courts?

On neutral courts, the Jayhawks put together a mark of 5-2 this season.

Offense vs. Defense

For the season, Arkansas is averaging 76.9 points per game (53rd) while posting an overall field goal percentage of 44.0%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against a Kansas defense that has allowed an average of 67.9 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 41.7% of their shots vs. Kansas. On the other side, the Kansas Jayhawks are coming into the game averaging 78.6 points per game on a shooting percentage of 48.1%. The Jayhawks will be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 67.4 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 41.9% of their shots vs. the Razorbacks.

Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Arkansas has a shooting percentage of 30.7% while ranking 450th in attempts per game. The Razorbacks will be facing a Kansas defense that has a 3-point field goal shooting percentage allowed of 30.8%. Kansas enters the game having hit 35.5% of their looks from deep while averaging 7.15 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Arkansas has allowed opponents to hit 30.7% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Arkansas

• Trevon Brazile (Out) Knee

Kansas

• Cam Martin (Out) Shoulder
• Kyle Cuffe Jr. (Out) Redshirt
• Charlie McCarthy (Out) Knee
• Wilder Evers (Out) Foot

Pick Against The Total Line

I’m going with the total again. Both teams can play defense, with the Razorbacks averaging 67.2 points per game allowed and the Jayhawks 68.2. They’re both decent on the boards defensively, which should limit the second-chance points, and neither team (especially Arkansas) is likely to light it up from three-point land. Take the Under 142.5.