After a three-day break, college basketball is back with Sweet 16 action in the NCAA tournament. And it’s back with a bang, too, as the rivalry between the No. 4 seed Arkansas Razorbacks and the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats must-see television (9:45 pm ET on CBS). The winner of this Western Conference battle at the SAP Center in San Jose, California will face either Purdue or Texas in the Elite Eight.
Here are my predictions for Arkansas vs. Arizona.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Arizona Wildcats odds
Money line: Arkansas +285 / Arizona -370
Spread: Arkansas +8 (-112) / Arizona -8 (-112)
Total: Over 164.5 (-115) / Under 164.5 (-105)
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Arizona Wildcats best bet #1: Arkansas +8 (-112)
As good as Arizona is, eight points might be too many. The Wildcats are in great shape, but lost to Iowa State by just two points in the Big 12 Tournament semis and Houston by five in the finals. Now they are running on a hot Arkansas team. The Razorbacks won the SEC Championship and since the end of January have only lost to 2025 National Champion Florida and fellow Sweet 16 entrant Alabama in overtime. Arkansas freshman star Darius Acuff Jr. he’ll be the best player on the floor in this matchup – and that’s saying a lot. Acuff is averaging 23.3 points and 6.5 assists per game this season. The point guard has been on fire of late, currently riding a six-game hitting streak of 24 or more points – including 37 in the SEC quarterfinals, 30 in the conference finals, and 36 against High Point in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Arizona Wildcats best bet #2: Koa Peat Over 14.5 points (-112)
This should be a good match for Peat. Arkansas is respectable in defense on the perimeter, but for the most part it’s a unit that can’t be separated – especially in the paint. The Hogs find themselves in only the 15th percentile in rim protection; and they are 275th nationally in defense by two percent. Peat’s game is predicated on getting to the basket. The 6’8″ forward has gone five straight games without a three-point attempt and hasn’t made one since Jan. 31. Despite that, Peat has scored at least 14 points in three straight outings — including 21 in the Big 12 final against Houston and 25 in the regular-season finale against Colorado. The freshman should have a field day in the paint Thursday.
