NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/17)
Alex Christenson
The college basketball season is less than three weeks away, and here at FTN Bets we have you covered for what promises to be another thrilling year of upsets and incredible finishes. I will be taking you around the country with a betting preview of the major conferences. I recap the betting trends from last season, list projected starters, preview the season, identify a key player, and reveal how I’m backing or fading each team.
Let’s continue our preview with the SEC. Always one of my favorite conferences, the SEC has grown to be one of the most competitive conferences from top to bottom. While Kentucky has the national name-brand recognition, teams such as Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and Florida also combine massive fan bases and sustained success. There are 14 teams in the SEC, and all teams are competitive on a nightly basis. The SEC is currently ranked as the second-best overall conference in preseason ranking by KenPom. It is an exciting conference, with elite players and fantastic coaches.
Let’s continue with our betting preview for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
2023-2024 Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Preview
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Eric Musselman (5th season)
2022-2023 Record: 22-14 (8-10)
ATS: 18-17-1
O/U: 15-20-1
Projected Starters: G Khalif Battle; G Devo Davis; G Tramon Mark; F Trevon Brazile; C Makhi Mitchell (7.0 PPG)
In the three prior seasons in Fayetteville, Musselman had guided the Razorbacks to 20, 25 and 28 wins. I truly believe this past season was his best coaching performance with Arkansas yet. Musselman overcame the permanent loss of forward Trevon Brazile to a Dec. 6 torn ACL and the sporadic absence of star freshman Nick Smith to knee issues. Musselman fought his way to a Sweet 16 appearance despite needing to replace over 83% of his minutes and his top four scorers. This year, Arkansas only brings in two freshmen, but both are excellent prospects. Baye Fall is 6-foot-10 and was the No. 1 prospect in Colorado, while point guard Layden Blocker was the No. 3 prospect in Kansas. Musselman brings in yet another incredible transfer class, ranked No. 6 in the country. Battle and Mark are both projected starters, with El Ellis (Louisville), Jeremiah Davenport (Cincinnati) and Chandler Lawson (Memphis) all projecting for a big impact.
Key Player: Tramon Mark
Not many (if any) programs could lose three wings to the NBA draft and feel good about the roster the following season. Arkansas is on that exclusive list of programs that can rebound from such a talent exodus. Houston transfer Tramon Mark is a trademark Musselman player: long, versatile, takes care of the ball, makes free throws and can defend at the highest level. The improvements from beyond the arc make Mark a possible breakout player in the SEC this season.
Projection: That was a brilliant coaching performance by Musselman last year, as he fought the toughest opponents in the SEC for most of the season with just six players. He is a magician with getting players to buy into a lesser role for the betterment of the team, even better now than John Calipari. The Razorbacks will be at the top of the SEC yet again, battling Kentucky and Tennessee for the regular-season title.
How I’m Betting Arkansas: Throw last year’s ATS and Over/Under records out the window. When Arkansas is at their best (and healthy), they cover and hit the over. I’ll be investing in both during the nonconference, and likely continuing during the SEC season. Arkansas is one of my favorite teams entering 2022-2023.
