Kansas vs Arkansas prediction, picks for 2025 men's NCAA Tournament
Editor's note: Follow Men's March Madness live scores and updates for Thursday's first-round games.
The men's 2025 NCAA Tournament is here.
The first-round action Thursday features a West Region matchup between Kansas and Arkansas.
The Kansas Jayhawks finished the 2024-25 season with a 21-12 record, good for sixth in the Big 12. That earned them a 7-seed in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Their opponent, the Arkansas Razorbacks, finished ninth in the SEC with a 20-13 record. That earned them a 10-seed in the Big Dance as one of the conference's 14 teams.
Kansas ranks as the 21st-best team in the KenPom rankings, sporting the 47th-best offense and 11th-best defense. Meanwhile, Arkansas ranks 40th overall, possessing the 73rd-ranked offense and 20th-ranked defense.
Here's how our experts see Thursday's Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out Paste BN's complete March Madness bracket predictions to see our team's picks for every game. While you're at it, don't forget to read our tournament bold predictions and upset picks.
Without further ado, here's our Kansas vs. Arkansas picks and predictions.
Kansas vs Arkansas picks, prediction
- Jordan Mendoza: Arkansas
- Paul Myerberg: Kansas
- Erick Smith: Kansas
- Eddie Timanus: Kansas
- Dan Wolken: Arkansas
- Craig Meyer: Kansas 73, Arkansas 64
- Jackson Fuller: Arkansas 75, Kansas 70
- Jordan Guskey: Kansas 88, Arkansas 84
Our experts are fairly split on this contest, with four of seven siding with Kansas. Craig Meyer has the Jayhawks winning and covering the 4.5-point spread. The Fort Smith Southwest Times Record's Jackson Fuller has Arkansas pulling off the upset. Both of them have the game going under the 146.5-point total.
Kansas vs. Arkansas date, start time, how to watch
- Game Day: Thursday, March 20
- Game Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
- Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island
- TV Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Fubo - Watch Now!
Watch Kansas vs. Arkansas on Fubo (free trial)
Kansas vs. Arkansas odds
Odds as of Tuesday, March 18 via BetMGM.
- Spread: Kansas -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Favorite: Kansas -200
- Moneyline Underdog: Arkansas +165
- Total: 146.5
March Madness game-by-game predictions for Thursday
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