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College Basketball

Vermont Catamounts vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Picks, Predictions, Odds

Joe Hedrick Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read

The Vermont Catamounts (28-5) will take on the Arkansas Razorbacks (25-8) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Thursday’s tipoff is scheduled for 9:20 PM ET at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York and can be viewed on TNT.  

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Score Prediction

Arkansas 73, Vermont 70

Best Bet

Vermont +5 (-110)

NCAA Tournament Expert Picks | NIT Tournament Picks

MARCH MADNESS BETTING RESOURCES

VERMONT CATAMOUNTS vs. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS PREDICTIONS

Vermont dominated the American East Tournament, winning by an average of 36 PPG throughout the tournament. In those three conference tournament matchups, Vermont allowed opponents an average of 48 PPG. The Catamounts have won nine of their last 10 games and have gone 7-3 ATS. The Catamounts do not lack experience as they have five seniors in the starting lineup, all of whom have experience in the Big Dance.   

Arkansas lost to Texas A&M 82-64 in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. In their last 10 games the Razorbacks have gone 7-3 SU and 7-2-1 ATS. Three of their last five games have been decided by five points or less. Throughout the season the Razorbacks have had quality wins against LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, and Kentucky.  

This should be a great first round matchup that could turn into a classic 13 over 4 seed. Vermont will need to hang around in the first half as they do not want to dig themselves into too deep of a hole too early on. Vermont’s experience will be a huge factor in this game as I do not think they will be rattled by the pressure the NCAA Tournament brings. There is a chance Vermont wins this game outright, but I will be sticking with the points as I think Arkansas wins in the final possessions.  

VERMONT CATAMOUNTS vs. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

VERMONT CATAMOUNTS vs. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
  • Matchup: No. 13 vs. No. 4
  • Region: West
  • Venue: KeyBank Center
  • Location: Buffalo, New York
  • TV-Time: TNT - 9:20 p.m. ET

VERMONT CATAMOUNTS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 28-5
  • ATS: 19-12-1
  • O/U: 18-14

Vermont was profitable on the season with an ATS record of 19-12-1. They covered in all three of their conference tournaments games and seven of their last 10. Vermont has played as the underdog in just three games this season and went 1-2 ATS in those games. The total has gone over in 18 of Vermont’s 32 games played. Going against this trend, the total has gone under in five of their last six games as well as four of their last five when playing as an underdog.  

The Catamounts offense was great during their conference tournament, averaging 84.6 PPG. On the season, Vermont averaged 74.9 PPG, 49.3 FG%, 36.4 3PT%, 15.2 APG, and 35.1 RPG. Leading the way for the Catamounts is senior forward Ryan Davis who averages 17.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, and 59.0 FG%. Vermont also does a nice job protecting the ball with just 9.7 turnovers per game.  

Vermont’s defense has given opponents trouble all season. The Catamounts allow opponents 60.3 PPG, 41.0 FG%, 34.4 3PT%, while averaging 5.2 SPG, and 2.5 BPG. Sure, the American East does not have as much competition as the SEC, but this Vermont team is not just winning games, they are absolutely destroying teams night in and night out and this defense is a huge reason why.  

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 25-8
  • ATS: 20-12-1
  • O/U: 20-13

Arkansas has rewarded bettors with an ATS record of 20-12-1 this season. They have been great as of late too, going 11-2-1 ATS in their last 14 games. The total has gone over in 20 of Arkansas’s 33 games played, including six games straight. The Razorbacks were 5-2-1 ATS when laying five points or less as the favorite.  

The Razorbacks offense is led by JD Notae who averages 18.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 40.8 FG%. As a team, Arkansas has averaged 76.9 PPG, 44.0 FG%, 30.7 3PT%, 14.1 APG, and 38.2 RPG. Also keep an eye out for sophomore forward Jaylin Williams who has posted 12 double-doubles for the Razorbacks this season. This is without a doubt a defensive minded team, but don’t' get it twisted this team can score points when they need to.  

Arkansas’s defense has been great and is one of the best in the SEC. On the season, the Razorbacks have allowed opponents 68.5 PPG, 41.1 FG%, 32.8 3PT%, while averaging 7.7 SPG, and 4.2 BPG. Throughout the season Arkansas held seven SEC opponents to under 60 points. To go along with this trend, the Razorbacks gave up 80 or more points just one time in the second half of the season, that being in their most recent game to Texas A&M.  

Arkansas has seen 146 or more total points scored in six straight games. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - VERMONT CATAMOUNTS

  • Record: 28-5
  • PS/G: 74.9 (73rd)
  • PA/G: 60.3 (10th)

INSIDE THE STATS - ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

  • Record: 25-8
  • PS/G: 76.9 (42nd)
  • PA/G: 68.5 (166th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • VER: Ben Shungu - G (16.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
  • VER: Ryan Davis - F (17.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
  • ARK: JD Notae - G (18.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
  • ARK: Stanley Umude - G (11.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

VERMONT CATAMOUNTS vs. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS BETTING CONCLUSION

With a combined 39-24-2 ATS record these teams have both been covering throughout the season. Vermont comes into this matchup having won 22 of their last 23 while Arkansas has won 15 of their last 18. Both teams thrive on their defense but can also score the ball if it comes down to a shootout, which it very well could in this matchup. I’ll take the points and Vermont here as I think the starting seniors will get this team off to a quick start and keep it close throughout.  

MARCH MADNESS PICK RESOURCES

VERMONT CATAMOUNTS vs. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS BETTING TRENDS

  • Arkansas has won four of its last five NCAA Tournament opening round games. 
  • Arkansas has gone OVER the point total in six straight games. 
  • Arkansas has covered the spread in 11 of its last 14 games.
  • Vermont has gone UNDER the point total in five of its last six games.
  • Vermont has covered the spread in three straight games.

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