Arkansas vs Kentucky Basketball Prediction & Picks: Will the Wildcats make it seven straight wins?

Tonight’s Arkansas vs Kentucky matchup is not what many would have expected it would be when the season started, but both teams head into their showdown at Rupp Arena (9:00 pm ET, ESPN) riding win streaks in conference play.

The Razorbacks (16-7, 5-5 SEC) and Wildcats (16-7, 7-3 SEC) were both highly ranked at the start of the season, but neither is ranked in either of the major polls at the moment.

However, since a 1-5 start in SEC play, the Hogs have won four straight conference games and enter tonight’s game with a chance to move over .500.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, have won six straight in the SEC since a 1-3 start and are now tied with Auburn for fourth in the conference standings, just a game out of second.

It may not have the expected luster, but we should still be in for another entertaining matchup between the Razorbacks and Wildcats. Who will get the win in Lexington? Read on for our Arkansas vs Kentucky prediction and picks.

Arkansas vs Kentucky Odds

Odds are via BetOnline as of Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 1:15 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Arkansas +5.5 (-110)
• Kentucky -5.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 138.5 (-106)
• Under 138.5 (-114)

Moneyline

• Arkansas +180
• Kentucky -220

Will Arkansas Revert Back to Form After Picking Up First Road Win?

On Saturday, the Razorbacks picked up their first true road win of the season as they edged out South Carolina 65-63 in Columbia.

It’s certainly about time, but it doesn’t generate a lot of warmth and fuzziness about their prospects in Lexington. Winning on the road anywhere is never easy, but it was not a pretty win at all over the SEC’s worst team.

Arkansas led by nine at halftime and expanded that lead to 13, but the Gamecocks scratched and clawed their way back into the game and even took a one-point lead three times inside the final four-plus minutes.

But Anthony Black put the Razorbacks back ahead for good with 1:21 left, and despite a couple of misses at the foul line, the Hogs closed out their fourth straight conference win.

That effort won’t get it done tonight in Lexington, however. Kentucky may be doing some ugly winning themselves, but they are managing to score some points at home, and Arkansas is likely going to have to find more offense than they needed to beat South Carolina.

Speaking of those Gamecocks, they are the only team to hold Kentucky under 70 points at home in conference play, which they managed to do in a stunning 71-68 upset on January 10.

That loss dropped UK to 10-6 overall and 1-3 in SEC play, but since then, the only blemish on the Wildcats’ record is a home loss to Kansas in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

In their six-game conference win streak, all six wins have come by at least five points, and they are averaging 75.4 PPG in their last five conference games since going three straight games without hitting the 70-point mark.

Arkansas vs Kentucky Prediction and Picks

Razorbacks vs Wildcats Prediction: Kentucky to win

Razorbacks vs Wildcats Picks: Kentucky -5.5 (Best Value: BetOnline & Bovada Sportsbook) & Kentucky team total over (Best Value: over 71.5 @ BetUS)

In the 42 meetings between the Razorbacks and Wildcats since Arkansas joined the SEC in 1991, the winning team has scored at least 72 points 35 times, or 83.3% of the time.

Also, while there have been a number of thrillers between the two teams, 22 of Kentucky’s 29 wins since Arkansas joined the SEC have come by at least six points, including 10 of their last 11 wins in the series.

So, I like my chances for those trends to continue playing out favorably, especially when weighing what each team has done recently.

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