SportsLine's model revealed its college basketball picks for Arkansas vs. LSU in the SEC Tournament 2022 quarterfinals
The 2022 SEC tournament resumes on Friday in Tampa with four delicious matchups. A quarterfinal clash pits the Arkansas Razorbacks against the LSU Tigers, teams that are virtually locked to make the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas earned a quarterfinal bye as a top-four seed, and the Razorbacks are 14-2 in the last 16 games on their way to a 24-7 record. LSU is 22-10 on aggregate and 10-9 in conference play.
Tipoff is at 2 pm. ET in Tampa The Caesars Sportsbook lists the Razorbacks as a two-point favorite, while the number of over-unders, or total points Vegas thinks, is 139 in the latest LSU versus Arkansas odds. Before choosing any Arkansas vs LSU, be sure to check out college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine Projection Models.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, proprietary computer models have generated an impressive profit of nearly $1,600 for $100 players over their top-rated college basketball selections against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on LSU vs. Arkansas, and has just revealed its picks and CBB predictions. You can now head over to Sportsline to see the model picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Arkansas vs. LSU:
- LSU vs. Arkansas spread: Arkansas-2
- LSU vs. Arkansas over-under: 139 points
- LSU vs. Arkansas Money Line: Arkansas-135, LSU +115
- LSU: Tigers are 9-10 against the spread in SEC games
- ARK: Razorbacks are 12-6 against spread in SEC games
Why LSU can cover
LSU's defense is key. The Tigers rank in the top five of the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, indicating overall effectiveness. From there, LSU wreaked havoc, leading the country with a 15.6 percent theft rate. The Tigers trade on 25.5 percent of defensive assets, number 3 in the country, and LSU intercepts 14.9 percent of shot attempts, a top-10 national mark. Beyond causing havoc, LSU keeps opponents shooting just 28.0 percent from 3-point distances, No. 4 in the nation, and Arkansas is a poor perimeter shooting team.
Arkansas is out of the nation's top 275 in 3-point accuracy at 31.1 percent, and razorbacks are also shooting only 47.7 percent on 2-point attempts. On offense, LSU has a path of effectiveness on the offensive glass, with the Tigers grabbing 34.3 percent of their own missed shots this season. Arkansas is below average in free-throw prevention, and can generate increased efficiency in the LSU charity strip.
Why Arkansas Might Cover
Arkansas is keyed by a distinctive defense that leads the SEC in adjusted efficiency, but the Razorbacks are also very strong on the offensive end, led by veteran guard J.D. Notte. The 6-foot-2 senior finished No. 2 on the SEC in scoring this season, averaging 18.9 points per game, and Note also added 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.
Overall, Arkansas is ranked in the top 50 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, and the razorbacks are No. 2 in the SEC in both turnover rate (17.7 percent), and live-ball turnover rate (10.2 percent). Ball safety is important in preventing fast-break opportunities for opponents, and Arkansas also takes full advantage of free throws. The Razorback ranks in the top four of the SEC in free-throw accuracy at 75.1 percent, and Arkansas is also near the top of the conference in free-throw manufacturing rate.