The Oakland Golden Grizzlies take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville, AR. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Arkansas is favored by 18.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -2400. The total is set at 143.5 points.
Here are my Oakland vs. Arkansas predictions and college basketball picks for December 30, 2024.
Oakland vs Arkansas Prediction
My Pick: Arkansas Team Total Over
My Oakland vs Arkansas best bet is on the Razorbacks team total over, 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.
Oakland vs Arkansas Odds
| Oakland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+18.5 -110 | 143.5 -110 / -110 | +1200 |
| Arkansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-18.5 -110 | 143.5 -110 / -110 | -2400 |
- Oakland vs Arkansas spread: Arkansas -18.5
- Oakland vs Arkansas over/under: 143.5 points
- Oakland vs Arkansas moneyline: Arkansas -2400, Oakland +1200
- Oakland vs Arkansas best bet: Arkansas Team Total Over 84 or Better
Spread
I'm avoiding the spread.
Moneyline
I have no play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I like the Arkansas team total over at 84 or better.
My Pick: Arkansas Team Total Over 84 or Better
Oakland vs Arkansas College Basketball Betting Preview
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are looking to build off of their miraculous NCAA Tournament win over John Calipari last March when they travel to Bud Walton Arena on Monday.
This time around, Cal will be on the sideline for his first season as the Arkansas Razorbacks' head coach.
But the change in scenery doesn't remove the motivation angle. I think the Razorbacks will be hungry to put a beatdown on Oakland on Monday.
It's a favorable matchup for Arkansas, as well, as the Oakland defense has numerous holes the Razorbacks could take advantage of.
For starters, the Oakland defense is 313th in turnovers forced, which is near the bottom of the country. The Golden Grizzlies are also 325th in defensive rebounding.
This tells me that the Arkansas offense will have many easy-basket opportunities, and it should have plenty of opportunities for easy 3-point shots.
Arkansas is also the lengthier team, and Oakland is not a good rebounding squad. The Razorbacks should get plenty of second-chance scoring opportunities, giving them bonus points they usually wouldn't be accustomed to earning.
Arkansas is 21st in effective field goal percentage and 18th in 2-point percentage. The Razorbacks are also 60th in adjusted offensive efficiency.
That's the reason why I'm taking the Arkansas team total over on Monday. I don't trust the Oakland defense to make many stops, and I think the added motivational angle is going to allow Arkansas to put a ton of points on the scoreboard.
Instead of targeting the total for the game, I think it's a much safer approach to focus solely on the Razorbacks' offense, which will take advantage of a pathetic Oakland defense.
I'm a bit concerned about Arkansas‘ rebounding ability. Still, because of such a soft matchup, I think it'll be able to take advantage of many opportunities that consist of second-scoring chances.
The Razorbacks should be able to make it rain from deep all night, and it'll be a long night for head coach Greg Kampe’s Grizzlies.
His team’s defensive concerns are enormous, and I don’t expect Cal to let his foot off the gas. KenPom projects Arkansas to put up 85 on Monday, and I think its fast tempo should allow it to clear that with ease.
