The High Point Panthers will take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This second-round game in the West Region will happen at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, AR. The game is set for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
The High Point Panthers come into this game with a strong regular season record of 30-4. In their conference, the Big South, they finished with an 18-1 record. Last year, they lost in the first round of the tournament to Purdue with a score of 75-63.
The Arkansas Razorbacks have an overall record of 26-8 for the regular season. In the Southeastern Conference, they went 16-5. Last postseason, they made it to the Sweet 16, where they lost to Texas Tech by a close score of 85-83.
Arkansas Preview
The Arkansas Razorbacks are ranked #14 in the AP poll. They play in the Southeastern Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they had a strong run. They won against Kansas and St. John’s before losing to Texas Tech in the Sweet 16.
During the 2026 regular season, the Razorbacks had a record of 26-8. In conference play, they went 16-5. Their offense was strong, scoring 89.9 points per game. This ranked them 6th in the nation for points per game.
The team had a field goal percentage of 50.0, placing them 13th nationally. They attempted 42.8 two-point shots per game, ranking 25th. Their three-point shooting was also effective, with a 38.9% success rate, ranking 26th.
Key players included Darius Acuff Jr., who averaged 22.9 points per game. Trevon Brazile contributed with 13.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Meleek Thomas added 15.4 points per game, showing depth in their lineup.
High Point Preview
The High Point Panthers had a strong 2026 regular season. They finished with an overall record of 30-4 and a conference record of 18-1 in the Big South. Their performance was impressive, showing their strength in the conference.
In the 2025 postseason, the Panthers played in the Midwest Region. They faced Purdue in the first round but lost 63-75. Despite the loss, their regular season record shows they are a competitive team.
Offensively, the Panthers scored an average of 90.0 points per game, ranking 5th. They had a field goal percentage of 49.1, which was 21st. Their free throw attempts per game were high at 26.8, ranking 8th.
Defensively, the Panthers averaged 10.9 steals per game. They also had 3.8 blocks per game. Their ability to force turnovers was evident with an average of 9.2 turnovers per game.
Statistical Breakdown for Arkansas vs High Point
This game will be shaped by both teams’ strong offenses. The Arkansas Razorbacks score 89.9 points per game, while the High Point Panthers score 90.0. Both teams have effective shooting, with Arkansas having a 50.0% field goal percentage and High Point at 49.1%. Key players like Darius Acuff Jr. for Arkansas and Rob Martin for High Point will be important. Defensive stats like steals and blocks will also play a role.
- Arkansas Razorbacks Points Per Game: 89.9 (6th)
- High Point Panthers Points Per Game: 90.0 (5th)
- Arkansas Field Goal Percentage: 50.0% (13th)
- High Point Field Goal Percentage: 49.1% (21st)
- Arkansas Key Player: Darius Acuff Jr. (22.9 PPG)
- High Point Key Player: Rob Martin (15.3 PPG)
- High Point Steals Per Game: 10.9
- Arkansas Blocks Per Game: 5.1
Betting Insights
The High Point Panthers and Arkansas Razorbacks have shown different betting trends from last season. High Point had a strong record straight up, while Arkansas performed better in totals. These insights can help bettors make informed decisions. Here are the top trends to consider:
- High Point is 10-0 straight up in their last 10 games.
- High Point is 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games.
- Arkansas is 3-0 on the over in their last 3 games.
- High Point is 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games.
- Arkansas is 4-1 on the over in their last 5 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Arkansas vs High Point
In this game, the Arkansas Razorbacks are the favorites. They have a strong offense, scoring 89.9 points per game. Their key player, Darius Acuff Jr., is a top scorer. Arkansas also has a solid defense with 5.1 blocks per game. Their home advantage and strong stats make them a tough team to beat.
The High Point Panthers, though underdogs, have a strong record. They score 90.0 points per game, slightly more than Arkansas. Rob Martin is a key player for them. Their defense is strong with 10.9 steals per game. High Point’s recent form against the spread is also notable.
Considering both teams’ strengths, this game might be high-scoring. Arkansas’s home advantage and strong offense could give them the edge. However, High Point’s ability to cover the spread makes them a good pick. The game could be closer than the odds suggest.
- Our Free Prediction: High Point +12.5
