The Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in Kansas City, MO. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET on CBS.
Illinois is favored by 3 points on the spread with a moneyline of -142. The total is set at 156 points.
Here’s my Arkansas vs. Illinois predictions and college basketball picks for November 28, 2024.
Arkansas vs Illinois Prediction
My Pick: Over 153.5
My Arkansas vs Illinois best bet is on the over, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Arkansas vs Illinois Odds
| Arkansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 156 -110 / -110 | +120 |
| Illinois Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 156 -110 / -110 | -140 |
- Arkansas vs Illinois spread: Illinois -3
- Arkansas vs Illinois over/under: 156 points
- Arkansas vs Illinois moneyline: Illinois -140, Arkansas +120
- Arkansas vs Illinois best bet: Over 153.5 (Play to 156)
My Arkansas vs Illinois NCAAB Betting Preview
Early in the college basketball season, teams with more returning production and chemistry succeed more so than squads littered with transfers and freshmen. However, in the new era of college basketball, players staying in the same program for multiple seasons is rare, and these two teams are a perfect example of that.
Arkansas hired John Calipari this offseason, and thus, received an overhaul besides returnee Trevon Brazile. Their top seven scorers are new to the program, led by the versatile Adou Thiero, freshman Boogie Fland and ex-Kentucky big Zvonimir Ivisic.
On the other end of the floor, the Illini have one holdover from last season, sophomore Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn. Brad Underwood's team is very talented, but also very young, as two of its top three scorers are freshmen, including Will Riley (17.2 PPG).
So, which team has the advantage? Well, I think Illinois does, but I'm going to take the over instead.
Both of these squads have athletes all over the floor who can score, and the numbers and advanced stats speak for themselves.
Illinois is 13th in the country in points per game (89), 32nd in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency and 30th in adjusted tempo.
It helps when you have the physicalness of Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell, the skill of Tomislav Ivisic, the explosiveness of Riley off the bench and the all-around versatility of Kasparas Jakucionis.
Meanwhile, Arkansas is a lower on the totem poll in all three of those statistically categories mentioned above, but it's actually shooting better as a team overall and from 3-point land — and that's despite D.J. Wagner's and Johnell Davis' inefficiencies.
The good news is the Razorbacks look like they have a special player in Fland, and Thiero is playing like one of the most improved players in the country.
Jonas Aidoo's injury bug also helps us in this spot, as Arkansas continues to miss who is essentially the anchor of its defense.
I expect a lot of points in this one.
Pick: Over 153.5
