Arkansas vs. Kentucky Prediction, Odds & Preview Today: Best Picks for Feb. 1

Shane Jackson

Last Updated: February 1, 2025 1:25 PM EST • 2 min 45 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

We're offering our best Arkansas vs. Kentucky prediction for their game Saturday night. — Pictured: Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari looks on as guard D.J. Wagner drives against Oklahoma Sooners guard Jeremiah Fears. Photo by Nelson Chenault via Imagn Images.

John Calipari will return to Rupp Arena on Saturday when his Arkansas Razorbacks face the No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Calipari, who coached Kentucky from 2010-24, has gotten off to a rocky start in his first season at Arkansas. The Razorbacks are 12-8, including 1-6 against SEC foes.

The Wildcats, now coached by Mark Pope, are 15-5 (4-3 in SEC play) following their 78-73 road win over Tennessee. They are double-digit favorites against Arkansas on Saturday.

Our Arkansas vs. Kentucky prediction and odds expect a competitive matchup in a game that means a lot to both sides.

Arkansas vs. Kentucky predictions today

College basketball picks based on the odds from our best March Madness betting sites.

Against the spread pick: Arkansas +10.5 (-115 via BetMGM) vs. Kentucky ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My best pick: Arkansas +6.5 first-half spread (-115 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Arkansas vs. Kentucky ATS prediction

Arkansas to cover the spread: +10.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I expect an inspired effort from Calipari’s Razorbacks. This game means too much to their head coach, and they are desperate for some positive momentum after going 1-6 in January.

Most of all, the college basketball models have bumped Kentucky up a touch too much following its win over Tennessee. The Wildcats lost to Vanderbilt (No. 44 on KenPom) and Georgia (No. 37) earlier this year.

Arkansas is worse than those teams, ranked No. 61 overall. But the double-digit spread at our best March Madness betting sites gives too much credit to a Kentucky team with only one win greater than two possessions since league play began.

Best odds: -115 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 53.49%

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Best Arkansas vs. Kentucky pick

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Arkansas +6.5 first-half spread ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s clear that I like the full-game line at +10 or better, but the first-half spread is my preferred angle at +6 or better. This line is as low as 5.5 as some of our best sports betting sites, so don’t wait to grab this discount at Caesars.

Kentucky ranks 72nd in the nation in first-half margins, with an average of +3.6. The Wildcats have trailed at halftime in each of their past three games.

Arkansas quietly has a positive margin (plus-1.7) in the first half of games this year. While I’d be surprised if the Razorbacks lead at the break (+278 moneyline at Caesars), this spread is too enticing to pass up.

Best odds: -115 via Caesars | Implied probability: 53.49%

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Live Arkansas vs. Kentucky odds

See all of this week's college basketball odds and NCAAB scores.

Arkansas vs. Kentucky opening odds

Spread: Arkansas +11.5 (-110) | Kentucky -11.5 (-110)
Over/Under: Over 156.5 (-115) | Under 156.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Arkansas +450 | Kentucky -625

Arkansas vs. Kentucky game info

When: Saturday, Feb. 1
Tipoff: 9 p.m. ET
Where: Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
How to watch: ESPN
Favorite: Kentucky -10.5 (-105 via BetMGM)

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Written By:
Shane Jackson

Shane Jackson has been writing for Sportsbook Review since 2022, though his passion for sports, writing, and betting runs much longer than that. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a journalism degree in 2017 and has been covering sports ever since, working for MLB.com, Manhattan Mercury, Lawrence Journal-World, WynnBET, Bet Chicago Sports, BetNOLA, and BetMGM. Jackson cares about creating quality sports betting content above all else. He uses a mixture of models, information, film, analysis, and a top-down approach to locate every best bet shared for SBR. He never gives out a pick that he wouldn’t be willing to spend his own money on. Jackson is focused on finding +EV bets on a daily basis for a variety of sports such as NCAAF, NCAAB, NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLB. He usually bets on props but is willing to wager on a spread or total when there is an edge. Don’t ask him how many bets he has placed on a typical college football Saturday. Jackson doesn’t care if you follow him on social media, but his Twitter account has info on how you can follow his bets through multiple third-party platforms. He just wants you to read all the great work from the SBR team.