The Arkansas Razorbacks (14-13, 5-9 SEC) and the fourth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats (23-4, 12-2 SEC) square off at Rupp Arena. The Razorbacks are 18-point underdogs and will try to put an end to their five-game losing streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 143.5 points and it will air on SEC Network at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.
Arkansas Razorbacks at Kentucky Wildcats ATS Odds
The Wildcats hope to maintain momentum after comfortably covering the 8-point spread against the Auburn Tigers in their last matchup, 80-53. The Razorbacks, on the other hand, were beat by the Texas A&M Aggies, 87-80, and were not able to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. The Kentucky game went 11 points under the projected point total of 144, while the Arkansas game finished 20 points over the projected point total of 147.
Kentucky played a nearly perfect game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 36.0 (below their season average of 38.0) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.645 (above their season average of 0.531). For those same stats, Auburn had marks of 19.0 and 0.397, respectively. Arkansas, on the other hand, forced Texas A&M into a turnover percentage of 22.2 (above their season average of 17.4). Kentucky received a boost from PJ Washington, who put up 24 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Daniel Gafford fueled Arkansas with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
The Wildcats won the lone game between these two teams last season, 87-72. Kentucky won the rebounding battle. The Wildcats had 18 offensive rebounds and 46 total rebounds, while the Razorbacks had 11 and 29, respectively. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Of the Razorbacks’ 27 games, 18 have finished under the projected point total. Arkansas comes into the contest with records of 14-13 straight up (SU) and 11-16 against the spread (ATS).
Similarly to Arkansas, games featuring the Wildcats also have typically finished under the total (63.0 percent). Further, Kentucky owns records of 23-4 SU and 15-11-1 ATS.
The offensive glass could be a major advantage for Kentucky in this battle. The Wildcats rank sixth in offensive rebounding percentage (38.0 percent), while Arkansas ranks 342nd in defensive rebounding percentage (65.8 percent). It will also be a battle of conflicting paces as the up-tempo Razorbacks rank 35th in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Wildcats rank 260th.
Arkansas Razorbacks at Kentucky Wildcats Betting Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Kentucky, ATS Winner – Kentucky, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Kentucky ranks sixth in rebounds allowed per game (29.2) while Arkansas ranks 269th (38.5).
- The Razorbacks rank 22nd in steals per game (8.1) while the Wildcats rank 118th (6.4).
- Kentucky ranks 16th in blocks per game (4.9) while Arkansas ranks 90th in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
- The Razorbacks rank 144th in three pointers attempted per game (22.7) while the Wildcats rank 289th (17.5).
- Kentucky ranks 29th in assists allowed per game (10.9) while Arkansas ranks 139th (13.1).
- Kentucky is 10-7 ATS at home, while Arkansas is 5-6 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 11 of the Wildcats’ 17 home games, while 7 of the Razorbacks’ 11 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Wildcats are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Razorbacks are 0-5.
- In their last five games, Kentucky has 4 unders and 1 over, while Arkansas has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.8, down from 13.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Razorbacks have scored an average of 69.2 points per game (7.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 79.8 points per game (5.9 above their season average).
