The Alabama Crimson Tide is back on the road in Fayetteville to face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks in a prime-time matchup. Read more for a complete Alabama vs Arkansas prediction and preview.
Alabama basketball is coming off a big win after a strong second half at home against Georgia 90-69. It will now start the back-nine of SEC play and will need to start playing its best basketball with March a month away.
“Be where your feet are. I know it sounds cliché, but that’s what we gotta do. We can’t look at the next four weeks; we have to look at the next game and focus on that right now,” said head coach Nate Oats.
Game Information:
Teams: Alabama (19-3, 8-1) and Arkansas (14-8, 3-6)
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. CST ( 8:30 EST)
Where to Watch: ESPN
How to Listen: Tide 100.9
Latest on Arkansas basketball:
The Arkansas Razorbacks are entering year one under John Calipari, who was at Kentucky before arriving in Athens in 2024. The Bulldogs are off to a 14-8 start and have started to play its best ball this season as of late.
So far this season, the Razorbacks’ marquee non-conference victory came in a win over Michigan 89-87 on a neutral floor. So far in SEC play, it has been figuring things out in winning its past two games, most recently winning on the road against Texas in a 78-70 win. Florida Atlantic transfer Johnell Davis carried the Hogs offensively with 24 points on 7-15 shooting. Kentucky transfer Adou Thiero also added 14 points on 4-5 shooting.
The Razorbacks have three scorers who average double-figures: Thiero, D.J. Wagner, and Davis.
The Razorbacks are without star Freshman Boogie Fland, who suffered a season-ending injury in January.
Thiero is leading the team in scoring, averaging 16.2 PPG this season. He also leads the team on the glass, averaging 6.2 RPG. Wagner leads the team in assists, averaging 3.1 APG.
Per KenPom, the Razorbacks are ranked 81st in offensive efficiency numbers and just inside the top 30 at 29th in defensive efficiency. The team is the 13th-ranked team in its conference rankings by the numbers. The team averages around 76.8 PPG and shoots 33.8% from the three-point line.
Latest on Alabama basketball:
Alabama is entering the game riding a five-game winning streak. They hope to keep that going, especially with Mark Sears returning to his groove after scoring 20 points and having 6 assists in his last outing.
Derrion Reid felt discomfort following the Georgia game and will not play in the game and will be considered game-to-game.
“We didn’t want to jeopardize any of his long-term health. We don’t try to use anybody to just win games,” said Oats.
Labaron Philon should be getting healthy after a week off.
“I thought he looked great in practice,” said Oats on Philon.
Clifford Omoruyi was named a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award and is coming off a near double-double with six points and an 11-rebound game.
Alabama will need to use its depth to tire out the Hogs in a fast-paced game and continue its hot shooting from deep.
The Tide will have to continue to control the ball down the stretch and reduce turnovers to stay as efficient as possible.
Sears still leads the team, averaging 18.1 PPG on the season. Grant Nelson continues to be a force around the glass in the rebounding department, averaging 8.4 RPG. Sears leads the team in assists at 5.1 APG, whereas the team averages 17.0 APG.
Per KenPom, Alabama is back in the top three and third in offensive efficiency. On the defensive end, the team has an efficiency ranking of 40, up five spots from the last game. Alabama is averaging 90.2 PPG while shooting 33.6% from three.
Alabama vs Arkansas prediction: Crimson Tide by 4
Alabama will be in a hostile Bud Walton Arena, but I think its depth and key shot-making will help the Tide outlast the Hogs in a high-scoring game.