It is the Sweet 16 matchup in the NCAA tournament as the Cinderella Oral Roberts Golden Eagles take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. Get the latest odds and information for this contest at BetMGM Sportsbook.
Golden Eagles Shock Florida
The Golden Eagles (18-10) trailed the Gators by five entering the half, but went on a huge run, battling back to defeat heavily favored Florida, 81-78. Kevin Obanor scored 28 points and added 11 rebounds for the double-double. He was nine of 16 shooting and played all 40 minutes. Max Abmas added 26 points, hitting six of 14 shots but was a perfect 12-12 from the free-throw line. Oral Roberts became just the second No. 15 seed to make it to the Sweet 16.
Oral Roberts is 13th in the nation at 82.0 ppg while allowing 75.9 points per game, 44th from the bottom. They have been solid shooting, hitting 45.1% of their field-goal attempts, and are eighth in the nation in three-point percentage at 39.2%. The team has been great from the free-throw line, hitting 81.3% of their attempts.
The combination of Abmas and Obanor has been excellent during the conference tournament and first two games of the NCAA tournament. Abmaas is averaging 23.6 points and 6.0 assists per game. Obanor is averaging 20.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Both are shooting well over 80% from the free-throw line.
Razorbacks Edge Red Raiders
Arkansas (24-6) narrowly edged Texas Tech in the second round, 68-66. Arkansas took the lead into the half and hung on through an exciting second half. The Razorbacks shot only 23.5% from three-point range (4-17), but shot 41.9% from the field. Justin Smith led the way with 20 points and six rebounds. He was nine of 11 shooting from the field. Both Davonte Davis and Moses Moody added 15 points.
Arkansas is averaging 83.3 ppg, seventh overall while allowing 70.7 points per contest. Arkansas is a great shooting team, shooting 45.6% from the field, 89th, and 74.5% from the free-throw line, 58th overall. They have been outstanding on the glass, averaging 36.8 rebounds per game, 16th overall. They are 36th in offensive rebounds (10.5) and 38th in defensive rebounds (26.3).
Smith is having an outstanding postseason, averaging 21.5 points through the SEC and NCAA tournaments. He is shooting 64.2% from the field and is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game. Moody is averaging 15.0 points per game while adding 6.0 rebounds per contest.
Oral Roberts:
- 6-0 ATS in their last six games.
- 5-0 ATS in their last five neutral site games.
Arkansas:
- None
I expect the Cinderella story to end on Saturday. Oral Roberts has played very well, and they have been the surprise of the tournament, but that run is about to end. Arkansas is going to pull off the victory in this game, but they are not winning by 12 points. As well as the Razorbacks are shooting and playing on the glass, the Golden Eagles can shoot the ball as well. This is a very good team, and they will help to keep this a close game.
Pick: Take Oral Roberts +11.5 at -110.
The Total:
With a total of 159.0, I look for slightly under here. Oral Roberts hit at 159 in their victory over Florida but combined for 147 against Ohio State. The total between Arkansas and Colgate was 153, but the Razorbacks and Red Raiders combined for 134. I think what you will see here is that if the Razorbacks get a commanding lead, they will be comfortable just winning as they were against Colgate. That helps to keep the score lower.
Pick: Go under 159.0 at -110.