March Madness: Arkansas vs St. John's Showdown Set

The NCAA Tournament second round is set to feature a thrilling matchup between No. 10 seed Arkansas and No. 2 seed St. John's. The game promises high stakes and potential for upset as March Madness continues.

Key Takeaways:

• St. John's enters as a 7.5-point favorite over Arkansas
• The game is scheduled for Saturday, March 22 at 11:40 a.m. MST
• Experts predict a close contest with St. John's emerging victorious

The West Region clash between Arkansas and St. John's is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the NCAA Tournament's second round. Set to tip off at 11:40 a.m. MST on Saturday, March 22, at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island, this matchup has caught the attention of basketball fans and bettors alike.

St. John's enters the game as the favorite, with oddsmakers setting the spread at 7.5 points. The Red Storm are priced at -300 on the moneyline, while Arkansas sits as the underdog at +240. For those eyeing the total, the over/under is set at 143.5 points, suggesting a potentially high-scoring affair.

Several expert predictions are leaning towards a St. John's victory, albeit in a closely contested battle. The Arizona Republic's Jeremy Cluff envisions an 81-77 win for St. John's, noting the impressive run of the Red Storm, who have won 10 straight games. Cluff highlights the intriguing coaching matchup between John Calipari and Rick Pitino as an additional layer of intrigue.

Simulation models are also favoring St. John's. Dimers' extensive simulations give the Red Storm a 75% win probability, compared to just 25% for Arkansas. ESPN's prediction model aligns with this sentiment, assigning St. John's a 71.3% chance of advancing to the Sweet 16.

However, Arkansas shouldn't be counted out. The Razorbacks demonstrated their mettle in their previous victory over Kansas, with their starters putting in strong performances. To pull off the upset, Arkansas will need to elevate their game even further against a formidable St. John's squad.

For those looking to catch the action, the game will be broadcast on CBS, with streaming options available for cord-cutters. As March Madness continues to unfold, this Arkansas vs St. John's matchup stands out as a potential classic in the making, offering both entertainment value for fans and intriguing opportunities for bettors.