Arkansas and Georgia will battle in Athens in what has suddenly become a very intriguing matchup.
Though they haven't beaten many opponents of consequence, the Bulldogs have impressed this season with a very high-octane offense and an 8-2 record over their last 10 games. Arkansas, on the other hand, had high expectations and has come fairly close to delivering on them, outside of a shocking double-digit defeat to Auburn seven days ago. With two strong teams that know how to score, we should be in store for an entertaining affair.
I break it all down in my Arkansas vs. Georgia predictions and free college basketball picks for Saturday, January 17.
Arkansas vs Georgia prediction
Arkansas vs Georgia best bet: Over 179.5 (-110)
I’ve been waiting for this one for a while. I didn’t think they could set this total high enough because the matchup screams high-efficiency scoring, not a reliance on jump shots. This is a big key for me when looking at a total this high. My projection of 185.5 was never going to be met by the pregame line, but there’s reason to think these teams can still get there.
Start with Arkansas’s offense: they’re elite. Arkansas is nuking in transition (1.37 points per possession on huge volume) and second-chance scoring (1.30 PPP), and they’re also strong in attack-and-kick (1.16 PPP). Those are the three most total-friendly profiles because they create quick shots, extra possessions, and rhythm threes. That’s exactly what you want when you’re playing a number this high. Even when shots don’t fall, the Hogs generate extra possessions with offensive rebounding, and having all-world isolation scoring like Darius Acuff is always a plus.
They should score with ease against Georgia. Georgia’s defensive breakdown shows vulnerability in the same areas, especially transition (1.11 PPP allowed). And the same is true on the other side. Arkansas has allowed more points per possession in transition than Georgia, which matters here because Georgia can really only play one pace: breakneck. That’s been a major driver of its early-season success. There’s one team in college basketball playing at a faster tempo on the season than Georgia, and if head coach Mike White has his way, there’ll be none by the end of the year.
If this stays true to the play-type script, 179.5 is more reachable than it looks.
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Arkansas vs Georgia same-game parlay
Over 179.5
Arkansas +2.5
Darius Acuff over 20.5 points
I started my same-game parlay with Arkansas to cover this number. I’ve been impressed by Georgia this season, but some of its success has been propped up by a soft schedule. I think the Razorbacks have a vast talent edge. While UGA will throw a few punches, Arkansas will execute more efficiently down the stretch.
I paired that with Acuff to exceed his points total. An ideal game for him to prosper is one where he has total freedom to run non-stop in the open court. It doesn’t need to get any more complicated than that.
Arkansas vs Georgia SGP
- Over 179.5
- Arkansas +2.5
- Darius Acuff Over 20.5 points
Our beyond the arc SGP: Darius delivers for Hogs
Over 179.5
Arkansas +2.5
Darius Acuff over 20.5 points
Somto Cyril Over 9.5 points
For my longshot parlay, I added the Georgia big man to exceed his points total. It aligns with some of the logic I talked about in my best bet.
One area where the Arkansas defense has been weak is defending bigs cutting to the basket, where they allow nearly a point per possession. This is an area that Cyril thrives in.
Arkansas vs Georgia SGP
- Over 179.5
- Arkansas +2.5
- Darius Acuff over 20.5 pts
- Somto Cyril over 9.5 pts
Arkansas vs Georgia odds
- Spread: Arkansas +2 | Georgia -2
- Moneyline: Arkansas +110 | Georgia -150
- Over/Under: Over 179.5| Under 179.5
Arkansas vs Georgia betting trend to know
Arkansas has hit the Moneyline in 24 of their last 36 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Arkansas vs. Georgia.
How to watch Arkansas vs Georgia
| Location | Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, GA |
| Date | Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN2 |
Arkansas vs Georgia key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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