The Arkansas Razorbacks (16-14) welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks (23-7), the Southeastern’s best team, to Bud Walton Arena. The game begins at 5:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5 and will air on SEC and ES3.
The Razorbacks enter this game hoping for similar success after just getting past Alabama 62-61 on Wednesday. Moses Kingsley led all scorers on the team with 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting. The Gamecocks are coming off a bitter 74-72 loss at the hands of Georgia on Thursday. Mindaugas Kacinas led the game in scoring with 21 points.
Based on each team’s statistical profile, ball protection could play an integral role in this matchup. Arkansas commits the 16th-fewest miscues in the nation (TO% of 15.4%), while the pesky defense of South Carolina forces the 25th-most (opponents’ TO% of 21.3%).
The Razorbacks have gone 16-14 Straight Up (SU) and 15-11 Against The Spread (ATS). Below-average play has been the norm lately for the Razorbacks. In the last 10 games, Arkansas has only averaged 72.5 points per game compared to the 79.3 they’ve averaged on the season. The Razorbacks are an incredibly accurate shooting team from three-point range with a .404 three-point field goal percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I. Arkansas has the 24th-most assists in Division I, averaging 16.6 per game. Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, the Razorbacks are the 23rd-best team in the country at blocking shots, averaging 5.3 blocks per game.
On the other side, the Gamecocks head into the game with records of 18-9 ATS and 23-7 SU. The Gamecocks are getting to the foul line at a high rate. Their 563 free throws made ranks 13th in Division I. The Gamecocks are a force on the boards, grabbing an average of 41.1 rebounds per game. Shifting to the other side of the court, the Gamecocks have one of the best opponent field-goal percentages in the nation at .395.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time Arkansas and South Carolina played, Arkansas won, bringing the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over their most recent meetings. The teams also have an even 5-5 record ATS in the most recent meetings. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Arkansas and South Carolina each held the edge in all three of these categories once in the last five meetings.
Predictions: SU Winner – Ark, ATS Winner – Ark
Notes
The Arkansas Razorbacks average 79.3 points per game, ranking 37th in the nation. The South Carolina Gamecocks rank 100th in points allowed with 69.4.
South Carolina has allowed an average of 71.1 points per away game this season. Arkansas averages 84.6 points per home game, ranking 18th in scoring.
The Arkansas Razorbacks rank 90th for their offensive rating of 109.8. The South Carolina Gamecocks have a defensive rating of 96.8 (ranked 30th).
The Arkansas Razorbacks average a field goal percentage of 44.8% this season. The South Carolina Gamecocks have a solid 5-3 record in games where opponents have a FG% of 44.8% or greater.
The Arkansas Razorbacks and the South Carolina Gamecocks both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Arkansas is 174th and 143rd in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while South Carolina ranks 275th and 254th in these categories.
The Arkansas Razorbacks rank 24th in assists per game with an average of 16.6. The South Carolina Gamecocks are among the worst in the country with 13.4 assists per game (ranked 181st).
Arkansas, the 23rd-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 5.3 per game. South Carolina ranks 67th with 4.4.
Arkansas ranks 100th in offensive rebounding. When it comes to defensive rebounds, South Carolina ranks 79th.
The Arkansas Razorbacks make an average of 7.5 steals per game. When the South Carolina Gamecocks allow 7 or more steals, they are a winning 10-5.
