LSU Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks odds and best bet

Hot take time. Arkansas will go further than any other SEC team in the NCAA Tournament!

Maybe that is not such a hot take given their success last season and the fact that they are the hottest team in the league right now. They just dumped Kentucky, and even though the Wildcats might not have been at full strength, they showed this team has everything you need for a long run. I am especially enjoying watching Jaylin Williams emerge as one of the best big men in the country. That, and a hot streak of 13 wins in 14 games is hard to ignore. (the loss was by one point on the road)

At the same time that Arkansas has been surging, LSU has been going in the opposite direction. They have the look of a team that is going to make an early exit, especially because they struggle so much away from home. Their best road win in the SEC is Florida, a team that still has work to do to make the NCAA Tournament. LSU and Arkansas are very close in terms of metrics, but in a way that makes you wonder about those sort of things. Forward Tari Eason is a beast, though. He has been getting better all season long too.

Game Info:

LSU Tigers (20-9) vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (23-6)
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
9:00 p.m. ET
Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, Ark.
ESPN

Betting Odds

Spread: Tigers +5.5 (-110), Razorbacks -5.5 (-110)
Total: 141.5
Moneyline: Tigers +185, Razorbacks -245

Best Bet

Arkansas -5.5

These teams met in January, with Arkansas winning by seven points on the road. The Razorbacks were underdogs in that game but are favorites at home Wednesday night.

As a home favorite, they are 15-1 SU and 9-6-1 ATS. Most of those games have not been close, either, with an average margin of more than 15 PPG.

When they met previously, the Arkansas defense was the best unit on the floor and Williams was a monster with 13 rebounds and thre steals. I am expecting more of the same, just with better shooting from the Hogs at home. As a result, they should win a little easier. 

Guard JD Notae is second in the SEC in scoring but not getting the attention he deserves. He has had as much impact as any transfer in the country and was solid in the first win, too.

Arkansas is not going to win by 20 Wednesday, but a comfortable win that adds to their hot streak is expected. 

The Razorbacks had no ATS losses in February, 7-0-1.  Ride the hot hand Wednesday night.