Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas Prediction, Picks & Odds: College Basketball Picks Today (Jan. 20)
Two SEC rivals coming off losses over the weekend look to right the ship, and I break down the matchup with my Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas prediction. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET from Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. (ESPN).
No. 20 Arkansas is a 1.5-point betting favorite over No. 15 Vanderbilt in this matchup of teams that are 3-2 in SEC play. If you like guard play and up-tempo offenses, this is a matchup to watch, and also why I am backing the Over with my best bet.
🏀 Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas predictions
See our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds.
| Prediction | Best odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas -1.5 | -102 via FanDuel | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Over 174.5 | -110 via FanDuel | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Meleek Thomas Over 14.5 points | +100 via bet365 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
💰 Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas best bet: Over 174.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Check out all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.
Vanderbilt’s last two losses have come against teams that deploy drop coverage at a high rate (Florida and Texas). While the Commodores’ offense was not the issue in scoring 94 points against the Gators, they should have more freedom to operate against a Razorbacks defense that doesn't use drop coverage well.
Vanderbilt also turns the ball over at the lowest rate in SEC play, while Arkansas’ defense ranks 15th in the conference in effective field-goal percentage. With each team ranking in the top 37 in adjusted tempo and built through strong guard play, expect a shootout in Fayetteville.
Score prediction: Arkansas 90, Vanderbilt 87
🔥 Best Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas player prop: Meleek Thomas, Arkansas, Over 14.5 points (+100) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Meleek Thomas has scored 15 or more points in four of the last six games. He gets shots up in heavy volume, ranking 14th in league play with 28.8% of his team’s shot attempts. Thomas also ranks in the top 20 in effective field-goal percentage.
Head coach John Calipari is likely to hunt mismatches for Thomas and take advantage of a Vanderbilt defense that struggles to keep teams off the free-throw line (325th in free-throw attempts per field-goal attempt).
📊 Live Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas odds
📈 Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas betting trends
| Vanderbilt | Statistic | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| 16-2 | W-L record | 13-5 |
| 10-8 | ATS record | 12-6 |
| 10-8 | O/U record | 10-8 |
| 3-2 | Last 5 games | 3-2 |
📺 How to watch Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 20
- Tipoff: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.)
- TV: ESPN
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