Catamounts vs Razorbacks Odds & Picks: Underdogs Rolling Into Big Dance

The fourth-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks (25-8 SU, 20-12-1 ATS) are looking to advance past the first round for the second consecutive year as they meet the 13th-seeded Vermont Catamounts (28-5, 19-12-1) on Thursday in the West Region. The Catamounts vs Razorbacks prediction is backing the lower-seeded underdogs, who have won their last eight games, going 6-2 ATS during that stretch.

Catamounts vs Razorbacks Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

Arkansas is coming off an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament a year ago, falling to the eventual national champion Baylor Bears 81-72 as 7.5-point underdogs. The third-seeded Razorbacks won two of their previous three games as favorites, with two of them also decided by exactly two points. Their first-round game was a blowout, though, as they crushed the 14th-seeded Colgate Raiders 85-68 as 8.5-point chalk. Fast-forward to this season, and Arkansas got a lower seed in a tougher region despite earning three more wins.

Vermont would seem to be a more difficult opponent too considering the school’s current eight-game winning streak and comparable spread record. In early betting, the point spread has dropped as low as -4.5 for Arkansas before rising up to -5.5. Meanwhile, the total fell one point down to 139.5 almost immediately and has not changed since then.

Get the best Catamounts vs Razorbacks odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Vermont Trying For First NCAA Tourney Upset In A Decade

The biggest upset the Catamounts pulled off in the NCAA Tournament came in 2005 when they beat the fourth-seeded Syracuse Orange 60-57 in a similar first-round game as a No. 13 seed and 9-point underdog. They lost to the fifth-seeded Michigan State Spartans 72-61 in their second-round game that year and failed to cover as 8.5-point dogs.

Vermont has made it to the Big Dance four other times between then and now with mixed results, going 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS, with a small upset taking place when the team topped the Lamar Cardinals 71-59 as a 1.5-point dog in a First Four matchup between No. 16 seeds 10 years ago. The Catamounts seem to be getting decent respect this time.   

Arkansas Has Unfinished Business Following Last Year’s Run

The Razorbacks enjoyed their best NCAA Tournament run last year since finishing as runners-up in 1995, and they would love to finally get back to the Final Four this season.

They have lost two of their last three games since putting together an impressive five-game winning streak that saw them favored against the LSU Tigers, Kentucky Wildcats and Tennessee Volunteers – all teams that made it to the Big Dance this year – at home. Now comes the challenging part, finding a way to win meaningful games away from home like they did a year ago.

Arkansas was upset by the Texas A&M Aggies 82-64 as a 6-point favorite in the SEC Tournament and the players need to put that loss out of their minds. If this team can do that, the Catamounts vs Razorbacks prediction could end up being way off.

Catamounts vs Razorbacks Pick & Insights

Catamounts: Keys To Cover

Vermont has barely been tested during its winning streak, with only one victory over that stretch decided by less than 17 points. This recent run has been pure dominance, and one reason why it is very appealing to make your Catamounts vs Razorbacks pick on the underdogs. In fact, they have closed as dogs just three times this season, so the key to covering this one is maintaining that favorite mentality and playing like it on the big stage.

Razorbacks: Keys To Cover

Arkansas has performed extremely well as a favorite recently, going 13-1 SU and 10-3-1 ATS in its last 14 games in that role. While Vermont has played in that role a lot more this year, that speaks to the level of competition between the America East and SEC. The Razorbacks are the real deal from a major conference and have the invaluable experience of last year to build on. Plus, head coach Eric Musselman knows a few things about small-school upsets and will guard against that happening to him this time.

Odds Shark’s Computer Catamounts vs Razorbacks Prediction: Catamounts +5

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