#15 Vanderbilt vs. #20 Arkansas Picks and Predictions: Back the Hogs at Home
Written by: Nate Hornung
Last Update: Tue Jan 20, 2026, 2:05 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Two ranked teams in the SEC battle it out on Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena as the No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks host the No. 15 Vanderbilt Commodores. Both have had phenomenal seasons so far, but are coming off a weekend loss, looking to bounce back in this game. Vandy actually suffered their first two losses of the season this past week, on the road in Austin and against the Florida Gators at home, and things don't get easier playing in the SEC. Can they respond and end this losing streak? Or do the Hogs use this home court advantage to get a win? Let's break down our favorite picks and discuss.
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Best Bet: Arkansas ML (-114) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
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#15 Vanderbilt Commodoresvs. #20 Arkansas Razorbacks NCAA Basketball Insights
Duke Miles puts up over 17 points per game for the Commodores, adding 5.2 assists and 2.7 steals
Vanderbilt started off the season winning 16 straight games. Now they certainly played a "weaker" schedule but proved they were legit by beating the No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide in their conference home opener. But now they find themselves on a two game losing streak and headed into a very hostile environment.
The Hogs played much tougher competition and have lost five games so far this year but all are fairly forgivable. Losing to No. 22 Michigan State and No. 21 Georgia on the road is expected, and dropping games to No. 4 Duke and No. 8 Houston on neutral sites does not give me any less faith in this team. Even an embarrassing loss to Auburn on the road is alright in my eyes, as long as they turn things around, which they are more than capable of.
Matchup Information – Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas – January 20
- Venue & Location: Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, AR)
- Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2025
- Kick Off: 9:00 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: ESPN
Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of January 19, 2025 at 6:53 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.
Spread
- Vanderbilt +1.5 (-118)
- Arkansas -1.5 (-102)
Moneyline
- Vanderbilt -105
- Arkansas -114
Total
- Over 174.5 (-110)
- Under 174.5 (-110)
In terms of strength of schedule, Vanderbilt still breaks the top 40, but Arkansas is No. 18 in the nation. They have certainly been tested throughout the year, and although they have had their close calls at home, they have yet to lose at Bud Walton Arena. And I don't see it starting in this matchup.
#15 Vanderbilt vs. #20 Arkansas NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions
Coach Cal and Arkansas are in a perfect bounce back spot at home against the slipping Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas Prediction: Arkansas Wins and Covers, Over 174.5
Best Bet: Arkansas ML (-114) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
The Commodores have been the CBB Darlings early on this season, but now I see them coming down to Earth. They remind me of the Indianapolis Colts. They started the year 8-2 before losing seven straight to end the season. Much like the Colts, Vanderbilt had us in the first half of the season, but now I will be waiting for their downfall which feels inevitable.
Both teams love to run, so we should see plenty of points. Arkansas is a top 15 offense at home, ranking top 50 in eFG% and seventh in the country at taking care of the basketball. Defensively, they improve tremendously at home, jumping from No. 75 to No. 42 in adjusted defensive efficiency and ranking top 30 in free throw rate defense. Despite not shooting too many threes, they shoot over 40% from downtown in their own gym.
Sure, Vandy's defense is a bit better overall, but I see their offense being tested. The Commodores rely heavily on the three ball, ranking top 90 in 3P Rate while shooting over 36% from deep. But Arkansas holds their visitors to less than 29% from downtown, putting them in the top 50 in opponent 3P%. If those shots aren't falling, this one could get ugly. On the defensive side of things, Vanderbilt is bottom 40 in FT Rate defense, so the Hogs could spend plenty of time at the charity stripe.
Ultimately, I think coaching experience comes into play in this game, where I am more than willing to back John Calipari at home.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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