Arkansas vs. Michigan State Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Betting Preview for Nov. 8

My Arkansas vs. Michigan State prediction breaks down one of two games between ranked opponents on today's slate. The No. 14 Razorbacks travel to the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich., to face the No. 22 Spartans in a nonconference tilt that tips at 7 p.m. ET (FOX).

Michigan State is a 1.5-point betting favorite in this matchup of Hall of Fame head coaches, but I am siding with the road underdogs given how much experience John Calipari has coming back.

✅ Arkansas vs. Michigan State prediction & expert picks

See all of our experts' college basketball picks this week.

📊 Arkansas vs. Michigan State odds

See live college basketball odds for every game.

🏀 Arkansas vs. Michigan State preview & score prediction

Arkansas will eventually stake claim to the most battle-tested team in the country, as it is the first team to ever have games against all eight teams that made the Elite Eight from the prior year on its regular season schedule. But before the schedule takes a toll on the Razorbacks, I am siding with them in a tough road environment.

Calipari’s squad is uniquely experienced

When one thinks of John Calipari-coached teams of late, they typically associate his teams loaded with talented freshmen or a hodgepodge of transfers that do not have experience playing with one another.

But this year’s Razorbacks squad has three starters returning, including D.J. Wagner and Karter Knox, who combined to average nearly 20 points per game a season ago. Knox sat out the season opener with an injury, but could be back tonight.

It would not be a true Calipari team without some impact freshmen presence. Darius Acuff Jr. is a preseason Third-Team All-SEC selection, and he and fellow freshman Meleek Thomas combined for 43 points in their collegiate debuts.

Michigan State returned four rotation players from a team that won 30 games and a regular-season conference title a year ago. But none of those players averaged more than 8.1 points per game, so I am giving the talent edge early on to Arkansas.

All of the best sports betting sites are in unison with the +1.5 point spread, but FanDuel is the only one charging less than the standard -110 juice to back the underdog. At -106, the 51.46% implied odds would net $9.43 in profits on a $10 wager if Arkansas covers.

If you're looking for some action on the other ranked-ranked game today, my college basketball best bets today will scratch that itch.

Score prediction: Arkansas 77, Michigan State 74

🆚 Arkansas vs. Michigan State matchup to watch

D.J. Wagner vs. Michigan State backcourt

There are few point guards I trust more in hostile road environments than Arkansas’ D.J. Wagner.

Playing in Rupp Arena against his former Wildcats teammates last year, Wagner scored 17 second-half points and dished out eight assists while shooting 7-of-13 from the field despite being booed every time he touched the ball.

Wagner did not contribute much scoring (eight points) in the season opener, but he had 13-plus points in two of the team’s three NCAA Tournament games last year, while averaging nearly five assists per game.  

Wagner’s Over of 3.5 assists is juiced to -140 at bet365, so I am opting for the better value with his point total.

Best prop bet: D.J. Wagner Over 9.5 points (-125 via bet365)

📺 How to watch Arkansas vs. Michigan State

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 8
• Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Breslin Center (East Lansing, Mich.)
• TV: FOX