The Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Missouri Tigers in Columbia, MO. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
Missouri is favored by 6 points on the spread with a moneyline of -258. The total is set at 149.5 points.
Here are my Arkansas vs. Missouri predictions and college basketball picks for January 18, 2025.
Arkansas vs Missouri Prediction
My Pick: Arkansas +6.5 (Play to +5.5)
My Arkansas vs Missouri best bet is on the Razorbacks spread, with the best odds currently available at FanDuel. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Arkansas vs Missouri Odds
| Arkansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -108 | 149.5 -110o / -110u | +210 |
| Missouri Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -112 | 149.5 -110o / -110u | -258 |
- Arkansas vs Missouri spread: Missouri -6
- Arkansas vs Missouri over/under: 149.5 points
- Arkansas vs Missouri moneyline: Missouri -258, Arkansas +210
- Arkansas vs Missouri best bet: Arkansas +6.5 (Play to +5.5)
Spread
I'm taking the Razorbacks on the spread on the road.
Moneyline
I'm avoiding the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no play on the total.
My Pick: Arkansas +6.5 (Play to +5.5)
Arkansas vs Missouri College Basketball Betting Preview
After four straight losses, Arkansas is entering must-win territory already. Is it time to catch the falling knife? This might be the spot against a Missouri team fresh off a monumental upset win at Florida, which will likely go down as one of the best resume wins for any team this season.
Arkansas certainly has its flaws, but it's also been bit by the 3-point variance monster on both ends of the floor in league play. The Razorbacks are only shooting 26.1% from deep against SEC competition, while allowing 35.4% of attempts from deep to go in.
That likely won’t persist when you consider they have the conference’s best 2-point defense to date (which is much better with Jonas Aidoo back in the lineup).
Additionally, Missouri has a number of players in its rotation who are currently shooting way over their heads from deep relative to their career averages, led by Caleb Grill (48.6% vs. 34% past five seasons) and Marques Warrick (46.2% vs. 34% past four seasons).
I doubt the Tigers will continue to shoot 39% from distance in league play.
The Missouri defense has issues when it’s not forcing turnovers, which might be tougher to do against an Arkansas squad that generally does an adequate job in that department.
This Arkansas team undoubtedly has more talent than Missouri, but John Calipari just hasn't figured out the right rotation. Historically, he usually does figure that out as he approaches February.
Plus, he hinted at using a higher frequency of the most ideal lineup in my eyes:
- Boogie Fland
- DJ Wagner
- Jonas Aidoo
- Adou Thiero
- Trevon Brazile
Per EvanMiya, this is the most efficient lineup Arkansas has used this season. From a defensive perspective, that's as good as it gets, and hopefully some shots start to fall on the other end against a Missouri team that will certainly give opponents open looks, which Arkansas has, at least, been generating.
