Arkansas vs Kentucky Prediction 2/1/25 College Basketball Picks

The Arkansas Razorbacks and the Kentucky Wildcats meet Saturday in college basketball action from Rupp Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Arkansas vs. Kentucky prediction.

Arkansas Recap

The Arkansas Razorbacks come into this game looking to bounce back from a 65-62 loss to Oklahoma last time out to fall to 12-8 on the year. After this game, Arkansas will head on the road again for a game against Texas.

Razorbacks Lose 6th In Last 7 Tries

Adou Thiero leads the Razorbacks in scoring and rebounding with 16.1 PPG and 6.2 RPG while Boogie Fland has 15.1 PPG with a team-high 5.7 APG to lead the Razorbacks in assists in addition to 3.4 RPG as well, but is expected to miss the remainder of the season because of injury. D.J. Wagner has 10.2 PPG with 3.2 RPG and 2.8 APG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Arkansas up to this point in the year. Johnell Davis has 8.9 PPG with 3.6 RPG and Zvonimir Ivisic has 7.4 PPG with 3.7 RPG as well. As a team, Arkansas is averaging 76.2 PPG on 46.4% shooting from the field, 32.5% from three, and 72.6% from the foul line this season.

Why the Arkansas Razorbacks will win

• Arkansas has won eight of its last nine games when playing with a rest advantage.
• Kentucky has lost three of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Kentucky Recap

The Kentucky Wildcats come into this game looking to build on a 78-73 win over Tennessee last time out to improve to 15-5 on the year. After this game, Kentucky will head on the road again to take on Ole Miss.

Wildcats Looking To Build Steam

Otega Oweh leads the Wildcats in scoring with 15.9 PPG along with 4.6 RPG while Koby Brea has 11.2 PPG with 3.1 RPG. Lamont Butler added 13.2 PPG with a team-high 4.8 APG to lead Kentucky in assists and Jaxson Robinson has added 13.1 PPG with 3.7 RPG as well this season. Andrew Carr has 10.4 PPG with 5.3 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Kentucky up to this point in the season, while Amari Williams has added 9.8 PPG with a team-leading 8.9 RPG to lead the Wildcats in rebounding so far this season. As a team, Kentucky is averaging 87.6 PPG on 48.5% shooting from the field, 37.4% from three, and 73.4% from the foul line this season.

Why the Kentucky Wildcats will win

• Kentucky has won each of its last 12 games at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Arkansas has lost each of its last eight Saturday road games against the Southeastern Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Seventeen of Arkansas’ last 18 night games against AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 156 or fewer points.
• Each of Kentucky’s last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 151 or fewer points.

Arkansas vs. Kentucky Prediction

I’m with Kentucky here. I know it’s Coach Cal’s return to Lexington, but sentiment aside, this Razorback team isn’t very good, and losing their top guy in Boogie Fland isn’t going to help matters and we’ve already seen the hindrance it’s caused the Hogs on this end of the floor. Kentucky can light it up when called upon, and I just don’t feel like stepping in front of Kentucky when Arkansas is the alternative. Give me Kentucky in this one laying the points.