Preview and Gamethread: Arkansas vs. UTSA

Time: 7 p.m. CT

TV: :(

KenPom Prediction: Arkansas 85-72

Location: Alltel Verizon Arena

Arkansas is in Little Rock for their annual holiday break game there. They’re looking to rebound after an ugly second half that led to a loss to a decent but beatable Western Kentucky team. Expect the Hogs to come out of the gates quickly in this one.

The Roadrunners don’t have much in terms of forwards (as evidenced by their horrible block rate) and most of the scoring comes from the guards. Keaton Wallace and Jhivvan Jackson, who has come off the bench nearly every game this year, are not shy about firing it up from three and are the two main scoring options.

The block rate and their effective FG% are both among the bottom of D1, which should be a big plus for the Hogs looking for a run away. There should be plenty of opportunities to score inside on offense, and on defense they should be able to force a ton of low percentage shots. It’s already a game the Hogs should win handily, but the matchup favors them even more.