The No. 4 seed Arkansas Razorbacks face the No. 1 seed Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 today.
Razorbacks guard Meleek Thomas has been filling up the hoop in the NCAA Tournament, and my Arkansas vs Arizona predictions expect that to continue.
Here are my best free March Madness picks for this West Region clash on March 25.
Arkansas vs Arizona prediction
Arkansas vs Arizona best bet: Meleek Thomas Over 14.5 (+105)
With both teams boasting highly efficient, up-tempo offenses, we'll see plenty of points tonight.
That said, the Arizona Wildcats' elite interior defense will prevent the Arkansas Razorbacks from attacking the rim at their usual frequency. Meanwhile, leading scorer Darius Acuff Jr. will be matched up against lockdown defender Jaden Bradley
That should mean more shots for Meleek Thomas, who thrives at midrange and knocks down 2.3 threes per game at a 42% clip.
The five-star freshman averages 15.6 points per game and has scored at least 19 in back-to-back contests. He also erupted for 29+ points in two SEC games earlier this month.
COVERS INTEL: Based on shot location and distance from defender, Thomas was projected to score at least 15 points in seven of his last nine games per ShotQualityBets.
Arkansas vs Arizona same-game parlay
Arizona will try to smother Acuff when he has the ball, but the star guard will find open teammates. He has dropped 7+ dimes in four of his last six contests, averaging 8.2 apg over that span.
If Thomas and Acuff have big games, the Razorbacks will likely hit the 80-point plateau. After all, they are second in the country with 90.3 PPG and have gone Over their team total in 18 of their last 25 contests.
Arkansas vs Arizona SGP
- Meleek Thomas Over 14.5 points
- Darius Acuff Jr. Over 6.5 assists
- Arkansas Team Total Over 79.5
Our Big Dance SGP: Fired-up Freshmen
Arizona also has a pair of five-star freshmen in its starting lineup in Brayden Burries and Koa Peat.
Peat has grabbed 17 boards over the last two rounds, and Arkansas has been pushed around on the glass by athletic and physical forwards. Meanwhile, Burries is a three-level scorer who has scored 18+ points in six of his last nine games.
Arkansas vs Arizona SGP
- Meleek Thomas Over 14.5 points
- Darius Acuff Jr. Over 6.5 assists
- Koa Peat Over 6.5 rebounds
- Brayden Burries Over 17.5 points
Arkansas vs Arizona odds
- Spread: Arkansas +8 (-110) | Arizona -8 (-110)
- Moneyline: Arkansas +3000 | Arizona -380
- Over/Under: Over 166 (-110) | Under 166 (-110)
Arkansas vs Arizona betting trend to know
Razorbacks coach John Calipari is 7-4 SU and 8-2-1 ATS as an underdog in the NCAA Tournament. Find more college basketball betting trends for Arkansas vs. Arizona.
How to watch Arkansas vs Arizona
| Location | SAP Center, San Jose, CA |
| Date | Thursday, March 26, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 9:45 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS |
Arkansas vs Arizona 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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