Arkansas vs Virginia Prediction 11/8/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Arkansas vs Virginia Prediction

In this Arkansas vs Virginia Prediction, Virginia is coming as -3.5 favorites. Both teams are coming off wins in their previous games and both have been undefeated this season. Virginia has won both games by 29 and 25 points while Arkansas is also coming off a blowout win. Both teams have been red-hot offensively, scoring 199 points per game combined with elite shooting percentages from the field, and while those numbers are not sustainable, I do not expect a tight defensive battle today. Arkansas was playing mostly high-scoring games last season, as it was 22-15 to the over and Virginia’s last eight games going back to last season have all gone over the total. Take the over 162.5 points in this one.

Virginia Cavaliers Preview

The Virginia Cavaliers have a 2-0 overall record and a 2-0 home record. They are coming off a 97-72 home win against Northeastern and will face Bucknell and Maryland next.

Offensively, they are averaging 93 points per game, while allowing 66 points per game defensively and have a 122.1 offensive rating and an 86.6 defensive rating. The Cavaliers are shooting 50.8% from the field and 36.7% from beyond the arc, while allowing their opponents to shoot with 42.7% from the field and 29.2% from the 3-point range. They are grabbing 39.5 rebounds per game and allow 30 rebounds per game off their opponents, while averaging 21.5 assists per game and allowing their opponents to dish 12 assists per game. They average 3.5 blocks per game and 15 steals per game, while committing 14 turnovers per game and forcing their opponents into 20 turnovers per game.

Thijs De Ridder and Sam Lewis lead Virginia in scoring, averaging 20 ppg each, with De Ridder shooting 66.7% from the field and Lewis shooting 47.8% from the field. Chance Mallory follows with 14 ppg on 47.4% shooting from the field, also adding a team-high 4 assists per game. Thijs De Ridder leads the team in rebounds with 7.5 per game.

Arkansas Razorbacks Preview

The Arkansas Razorbacks have a 1-0 overall record and are coming off a 106-61 home win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and will face Robert Morris and Central Arkansas next.

Offensively, they are averaging 106 points per game, while allowing 61 points per game defensively and have a 135.9 offensive rating and a 78.2 defensive rating. The Razorbacks are shooting 54.7% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, while allowing their opponents to shoot with 38.9% from the field and 28.6% from the 3-point range. They are grabbing 43 rebounds per game and allow 27 rebounds per game off their opponents, while averaging 19 assists per game and allowing their opponents to dish 10 assists per game. They average 7 blocks per game and 16 steals per game.

Jeremiah Wilkinson leads Arkansas in scoring, averaging 23 ppg on 63.6% shooting from the field. Jordan Smith Jr. and Abdou Toure follow with 20 ppg and 12 ppg respectively, with Smith Jr. shooting 63.6% from the field and Toure shooting 57.1% from the field. Maper Maker adds a team-high 8 rebounds per game, while Davion Thompson leads the team in assists with 4 per game.

Arkansas Razorbacks @ Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends: November 8, 2026

Why the Virginia Cavaliers will win

• Virginia has won 27 of its last 28 November games as a top-10 AP-ranked team.
• Arkansas has lost 13 of its last 15 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
• Arkansas has lost the first half in five of its last six games as an AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team at neutral venues.

Why the Arkansas Razorbacks will win

• Arkansas has won each of its last seven day games against non-Conference opponents.
• Virginia has lost each of its last five games as a top-15 AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.
• Arkansas has won the first half in seven of its last eight November games as an AP-ranked team.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Virginia’s last 15 games against non-Conference opponents at neutral venues have produced a total of 161 or fewer points.
• Each of Arkansas’ last seven games against the Atlantic Coast Conference at neutral venues have produced a total of 159 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Virginia ranks T31st among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (21.5).
• Virginia ranks T38th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (80.0%).
• Arkansas is one of only three teams to reach the Sweet 16 in each of its last five NCAA Tournament appearances.
• Arkansas ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (16.0).

Nick Lagouretos's Pick: Over 162.5