Kentucky at Arkansas College Basketball Picks & Predictions 2/20/2018

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Bud Walton Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Kentucky Wildcats head to Bud Walton Arena to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks on Tuesday, February 20, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Arkansas as 5 point favorites.

Kentucky heads into this matchup with a mark of 18-9. They currently have a point differential of 5.1 as they are averaging 75.8 points per contest while giving up 70.7 per game. Arkansas has an overall mark of 19-8. They are averaging 82.8 points per contest and giving up 75.1, which is a point differential of 7.7.

Valuable Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends

The Kentucky Wildcats are 10-16 against the spread this season

The Kentucky Wildcats are 14-13 against the over/under this year

Important Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Trends

The Arkansas Razorbacks are 14-13 against the spread this season

The Arkansas Razorbacks are 14-13 against the over/under this year

Key Kentucky Wildcats Injuries

11/06/17 G Jemarl Baker Knee is out for season
02/05/18 F Tai Wynyard Suspension is out for season

Key Arkansas Razorbacks Injuries

11/05/17 G Khalil Garland Medical is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kevin Knox averages 15.1 points per contest while playing 32.6 minutes per night this year. He grabs 5.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 76%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 12.7 points per contest in 32.3 minutes per game this year. He averages 4.5 assists per game and 3.7 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 47% for the season while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Barford scores 18.6 points per contest while playing 31.3 minutes per game this season. He hauls in 3.9 rebounds per contest and has 2.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 68%. Daryl Macon averages 17 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per game. He also brings in 2.8 rebounds per game and has 4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

Kentucky averages 75.8 points per contest this year, which is 124th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 5.1 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 88th. From 3-point territory they shoot 33%, which is good for 278th in Division 1. They average 39.1 boards per contest and 13.1 assists per game, which ranks them 28th and 215th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 109th with 13.8 per game. The Wildcats allow 70.7 points per contest, which is 135th in the country. They also surrender a 41% shooting percentage and a 29% average from 3-point range, ranking them 38th and 3rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 33.9 rebounds a game which ranks 129th, and they allow 13.3 assists per game which puts them in 168th place in college basketball. They force 12.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 96th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Arkansas is 26th in the country with 82.8 points per contest this season. They are 28th in the nation in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 7.7. They shoot 40% from beyond the arc, which is good for 22nd in Division 1. They are 183rd in the country in rebounding with 35.4 boards per contest and 99th in assists per game with 14.9. The Razorbacks are 325th in turnovers per contest with 11.1. The Razorbacks give up 75.1 points per game, which ranks them 252nd in the nation. Their defense surrenders a 43% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 107th and 172nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 194th with 13.6 dimes allowed per game and 242nd with 36.0 boards surrendered per contest. The Razorbacks are 260th in college basketball in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Wildcats are 127th in the nation in offensive rating with 106.8, and their defensive rating of 99.7 is ranked 99th. In terms of pace they are 127th in the country with 70.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 210th. As a team they are 186th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 25% of their shots, ranking 348th in Division 1. Kentucky is 148th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 47%, which is 37th in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Arkansas is 335th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 140th in Division 1. The Razorbacks are 196th in the nation in defensive rating with 102.8, and their offensive rating of 113.3 is ranked 28th. They are 65th in D-1 in pace with 72.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 45th. As a unit they are 68th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 289th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Kentucky/Arkansas college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Kentucky +5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald