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Arkansas
HawgBeat – Arkansas at Mississippi State: TV details, key players, BetSaracen odds
Arkansas (12-12, 3-8 SEC) is limping to finish a historically bad season but the Hoop Hogs have a chance to earn some end-of-season momentum as they get ready to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs (16-8, 5-6 SEC) on Saturday inside Humphrey Coliseum.
The Razorbacks currently own a 35-33 all-time record advantage against the Bulldogs, but Arkansas is just 6-21 in Starkeville all-time. The Hogs have lost four straight at The Hump with their last win coming on Feb. 21, 2005.
Led by second-year head coach Chris Jans, the Bulldogs are coming off back-to-back wins over Georgia and Missouri. Mississippi State has already defeated programs like No. 5 Tennessee and No. 8 Auburn this season.
With Arkansas having a quick turnaround after a late game against Tennessee on Wednesday night and Mississippi State getting a week off since its last matchup, the Hogs will have to quickly prepare for the Bulldogs. Head coach Eric Musselman isn’t pleased about the situation.
“You get the schedule that people give you and itâs not an excuse,” Musselman said on Wednesday. “Weâve got to go play the game. But looking at the numbers on whatâs happened around the league. Itâs a hard game and weâve got to go get ready for the team thatâs been prepping for us for a week. So, it is what it is. We had it with Georgia and now this will be our second time doing it.”
Leading the Bulldogs is freshman guard Josh Hubbard. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Mississippi native is averaging 14.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 38.4% from the field and 35.5% from three.
KenPom ranks Mississippi State 31st overall nationally and the Bulldogs are also top 10 in defensive efficiency (94.0).
Here’s details on how to watch/listen, betting lines courtesy of BetSaracen and HawgBeat’s pick:
How to Watch/Listen
Who: Arkansas Razorbacks (12-12, 3-8 SEC) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (16-8, 5-6 SEC)
When: Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1:00 p.m. CT
Where: Starkville, Miss.. ⢠Humphrey Coliseum â Adkerson Court (9,100)
TV/Stream: ESPNU/Watch ESPN (Kevin Fitzgerald and Daymeon Fishback)
Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
Sirius/XM: 388 Sirius / 399 XM / 978 SXM App
SPREAD/TOTALS:
Moneyline:
Arkansas: +525
Mississippi State: -800
Spread:
Arkansas: +12.5 (-110)
Mississippi State: -12.5 (-110)
Totals:
Total Points:
OVER 146.5 (-105)
UNDER 146.5 (-115)
Team Totals:
Arkansas OVER 66.5 (–115)
Arkansas UNDER 66.5 (-115)
Mississippi State OVER 79.5 (-120)
Mississippi State UNDER 79.5 (-110)
(Alternate lines, spreads and team totals are available on the BetSaracen mobile app.)
Double R Props – Arkansas at Mississippi State
Chandler Lawson OVER 2.5 points and OVER 9.5 minutes played: -140
Jalen Graham OVER 7.5 points and OVER 0.5 FT’s made: -110
Tramon Mark and Jalen Graham OVER 7.5 rebounds combined and OVER 8.5 FT’s combined attempted: -115
Arkansas team OVER 14.5 3PT FG’s attempted and OVER 13.5 turnovers: +145
Arkansas team OVER 20.5 FT’s attempted and OVER 7.5 offensive rebounds: +150
Davonte Davis and El Ellis OVER 11.5 FG’s attempted and OVER 1.5 offensive rebounds combined: +125
Davonte Davis OVER 5.5 points and OVER 1.5 steals: +155
Joseph Pinion OVER 2.5 points and OVER 3.5 minutes played: +145
Keyon Menifield Jr. OVER 6.5 points and OVER 2.5 FT’s attempted: +165
Khalif Battle OVER 4.5 points and OVER 2.5 3PT FG’s attempted: +160
Layden Blocker OVER 2.5 points and OVER 2.5 FG’s attempted: +115
Makhi Mitchell OVER 3.5 points and OVER 4.5 rebounds: +135
Tramon Mark OVER 14.5 points and OVER 4.5 total rebounds: +185
(Lines and odds are subject to change at any point after the publishing of this story. HawgBeat does not guarantee any bet as a winner or loser. You must be at least 21 years of age to use BetSaracen. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net)
HAWGBEAT’S PICK: UNDER 145.5 (-110)
It’s no secret that Arkansas’ biggest struggle comes on the offensive side of the ball. Pair that against a Mississippi State defense that ranks seventh in the country in defensive efficiency according to KenPom, and it won’t be a fun night for the Hoop Hogs on the road.
The total for Mississippi State’s last three home games have gone under the 145.5 point mark, including 123 against Vanderbilt, 122 against Auburn and 137 against Georgia. Unless Arkansas comes out firing on all cylinders, I don’t see why this trend will change.
Mississippi State has had an entire week to prepare for the Hogs since its last game and I expect the Bulldogs to take advantage with a dominant defensive performance to secure the under in Saturday’s SEC tilt.
Headlines
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NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Purple is the color of the month in Arkansas, and Lupus Awareness Month is bringing a busy stretch of events, including a mayoral proclamation and a smooth jazz concert featuring acclaimed saxophonist Merlon Devine.
A proclamation for Lupus Awareness Month is set for 6 p.m. in North Little Rock, with Mayor Hardwick expected to present it. Organizers encouraged lupus warriors and supporters to come out.
Anita Boone, President of the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas Inc. and a former lupus warrior, described the day-to-day reality of living with the disease: “One minute you’re feeling amazing, the next minute your body is saying we can’t do this.”
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, described during the interview as a condition where the immune system attacks the body “inside out.” It can affect organs throughout the body, including the brain, lungs, heart and kidneys. Boone also shared personal impacts, saying, “I am losing, actually, ear from hearing, just because of lupus.”
The Lupus Foundation of Arkansas is also inviting the community to a Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert this Sunday, May 17, at 3:30 at The Space with Grace event venue, 2005 Main St., North Little Rock.
Gale Davis, committee chair for the Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert shared details about the concert.
Davis said guests are encouraged to “dress to impress,” though formalwear isn’t required. The event will include a photo backdrop, light hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and sponsored tables aimed at networking. It’s also a chance for people to meet other lupus warriors, learn more about the foundation’s work, and watch a video presentation highlighting events from the past year.
The featured artist, Merlon Devine, was described as an acclaimed saxophonist known for a soulful, smooth jazz sound, with a career spanning more than two decades and performances across the country and around the world. He’s also an Arkansas native who attended Little Rock Central High School. He now lives in Southern Maryland, outside Washington, D.C.
Davis said Devine’s connection to lupus is personal. She said his father had lupus and has since died, though he didn’t die from lupus. They also said Divine had a sister who died from lupus in 1981 and that he currently has two sisters living with lupus.
She also shared that, according to his doctors, Devine was born with acute asthma and underdeveloped lungs. His latest single, released last year, is called “Mercy.”
Tickets must be purchased online and will not be sold at the door. They’re available online by clicking on the flyer. Prices are $40 for individual tickets, or $400 for a table of nine, with an option to sponsor a table.
Organizers also noted another proclamation is planned for the Little Rock side with Mayor Frank Scott tomorrow, and encouraged people to follow the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas on social media for updates.
The concert will take place this Sunday at the Space With Grace Venue in North Little Rock.
ASHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Arkansas man died after crashing a dirt bike on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Arkansas man, formerly from Newaygo, crashed into a tree while riding a dirt bike on private property in Ashland Township near Grant on Sunday before 2:30 p.m., according to Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers.
Emergency responders tried to save his life but he died at the scene.
Troopers are still investigating but do not suspect drugs or alcohol as factors in the crash.
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MSP did not initially release any additional information.
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas softball will once again host an NCAA Regional, this time as the No. 5 overall national seed.
The Razorbacks (42-11) will be the top seed in Fayetteville and open the tournament against fourth-seeded Fordham (27-26) at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
Washington (36-18) is the two-seed and will face three-seed South Florida (42-15) that same day inside Bogle Park.
Arkansas is paired with the Durham Regional hosted by Duke (39-14) for a potential super regional. Arizona (35-16), Marshall (37-17) and Howard (28-17) are joining the Blue Devils in the regional.
This is the sixth consecutive season the Razorbacks will host a regional. It is also the program’s eighth straight NCAA Tournament berth under coach Courtney Deifel. Arkansas has reached the NCAA tournament 14 times, and more than half of those appearances have come under Deifel.
Arkansas ended the season No. 1 in the RPI despite finishing seventh in the SEC standings. The Hogs were eliminated by Alabama in the conference tournament quarterfinals.
Last year, Arkansas lost to SEC rival Ole Miss in the Super Regionals. The Hogs fell one win shy of reaching the Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history. They are hoping to take that elusive next step this summer and book a trip to Oklahoma City in two weeks time.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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