High Point vs. Arkansas prediction: March Madness 2026 Round of 32 pick, odds, best bet Saturday
Who can stop the Panthers?Entering Saturday’s Round of 32 matchup against No.4 Arkansas, No.
12 High Point is grooving to a 15-game win streak.In fact, it has won 23 of its last 24 games. The Panthers edged out Wisconsin, 83-82, as a 10.5-point underdog in true March Madness fashion via Chase Johnston’s game-winning layup. Arkansas drowned Hawaii, 97-78, by showcasing depth, transition speed and post presence with Malique Ewin recording a double-double in just 31 minutes. The Razorbacks demonstrated why they are one of the tournament’s most balanced groups in that effort, converting 26 assists on 32 made baskets and controlling tempo to create open shots in transition.Darius Acuff Jr., the SEC Player of the Year, added 24 points and seven assists while five total players recorded a double-figure point output. That’s why they are favored over the Cinderella Panthers by 11.5 points on Saturday.For what it’s worth, the Panthers do thrive in high-paced, perimeter-oriented contests.High Point ranked third nationally in fast-break points and drained 15-of-40 3s against Wisconsin, and Johnston’s near-50 percent 3-point shooting makes him a constant X-factor whom Arkansas must respect.The Razorbacks match that speed as the nation’s No.
2 overall team in fast-break points, so that helps explain why this game sports the highest point total on Saturday’s card at 169.5.Arkansas wields clear advantages inside, though.High Point struggled against Wisconsin’s size in the frontcourt, and Ewin and Trevon Brazile can exploit those gaps, particularly in transition and off long rebounds.I never like to hang my hat on trends, but no team has won back-to-back games as a double-digit underdog since the tournament expanded in 1985, per Action Network.Arkansas faced one of the toughest schedules in the country, including all eight teams from last year’s Elite Eight.That experience in high-pressure games counts for something here.High Point, despite its 31-4 record...