The No. 15 Missouri Tigers (20-6, 9-4 SEC) are set to face the Arkansas Razorbacks (15-11, 4-9) for the second time this season at Bud Walton Arena. The game will tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 22, and carries significant weight for both teams as they head toward the final stretch of the SEC basketball season.
Missouri is coming off an impressive victory, where they scored 110 points against the No. 4 Alabama, marking their third consecutive win. The performance showcased the offensive power of the Tigers, especially contributions from forward Mark Mitchell and guard Caleb Grill, who combined to score 56 points against Alabama. Mitchell tallied 31 points, and Grill added 25, along with three three-pointers. With this win, Mizzou has now climbed to fourth place in the SEC standings, making them one game shy of second place.
On the other side of the court, the Arkansas Razorbacks find themselves struggling lately, having lost two straight games and three of their last four. They dropped to 12th place in the SEC standings following their 67-60 loss to Auburn. The Razorbacks' season has been particularly challenging since losing key guard Boogie Fland to injury. Previously averaging 14.9 points per game, Fland's absence has significantly impacted Arkansas's offensive production. Adou Thiero has stepped up, leading the Razorbacks with 16 points against Auburn, but the team has struggled overall.
The first matchup between these teams on January 18 ended with Missouri winning decisively, 83-65, which has psychological ramifications for Arkansas as they prepare for the rematch. This loss brought the Razorbacks' all-time series lead over Missouri down to 35-28. For the Tigers, this rematch presents both a challenge and an opportunity to solidify their momentum heading toward the SEC tournament.
Matchups will play a pivotal role as Missouri's high-scoring offense faces off against Arkansas's defensive adjustments. The Razorbacks had previously struggled to contain Missouri's dynamic offensive players, including Grill, who was instrumental during their last meeting, scoring 17 points and playing efficiently. A significant question arises as to whether Arkansas can effectively guard Grill or if they will shift their focus to other threats like Mark Mitchell who posted 17 points and five assists during their last clash.
Arkansas fans will be closely watching how their 7-foot-2 sophomore Zvonimir Ivisic, who had previously performed well against Missouri, can bounce back after his dismal outing against Auburn where he recorded zero points. Ivisic is seen as instrumental for Arkansas's inside presence, and how he performs could dictate the game's outcome.
Betting trends indicate Missouri as narrow 1.5-point favorites with strong support based on their recent performances. They also stand at 8-2 against the spread (ATS) over their last ten games, showcasing their ability to perform well against tough opponents. Arkansas has not been as reliable, with just three covers as underdogs this season. Throughout the season, Missouri has displayed efficiency on offense, ranking fourth nationally with 83.7 points per game, positioning them as one of the most dangerous threats on the court today.
Given these factors, predictions lean heavily toward Missouri securing another victory over Arkansas, with experts anticipating the Tigers to win 80-72. The combination of their quick pace and offensive firepower may overwhelm the Razorbacks, even on their home turf.
For Arkansas, there remains hope of turning around their fortunes, but it will require significant adjustments to their strategy and improved execution on both ends of the floor. All eyes will be on the court as these two divisional rivals battle it out, with NCAA Tournament aspirations driving both sides to deliver their best efforts.