Overview
- Tipoff is 6 p.m. CT at Coleman Coliseum on ESPN, with Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes on the call.
- Arkansas enters 19-6 (9-3 SEC) in second place and on a three-game win streak, while Alabama is 18-7 (8-4) tied for third and riding four straight wins.
- Alabama plays at the nation’s fastest tempo with heavy 3-point volume and ranks third in KenPom offensive efficiency, while Arkansas pushes in transition and ranks fifth offensively; the teams average 91.8 and 88.8 points per game, respectively.
- The marquee matchup features Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr. (21.3 ppg) and Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. (21.2 ppg, 6.3 apg), both prominent SEC award contenders.
- Betting markets list Alabama -4.5 with a total around 182.5, ESPN’s BPI gives the Tide about a 66% win chance, and SportsLine simulations lean to the Under; Alabama remains without ineligible center Charles Bediako, who is practicing only.