Arkansas vs UConn- Prediction & Game Preview (March 23, 2023) March Madness 2023

The Sweet 16 field is set, and the schedule kicks off on Thursday.

One of the first games is an exciting matchup in the West region. The No. 8 seed Arkansas (22-13) takes on No. 4 seed UConn (27-8) in what should be a tightly-contested matchup.

The game tips off at 7:15pm ET on CBS and streams on March Madness Live and Paramount+. The two teams will square off at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Let’s take a look at how these teams got here and how the game might play out.

Game preview

Led by coach Eric Musselman, the Arkansas Razorbacks came into the NCAA Tournament as losers in four of their last five games. But they have found their stride in the Big Dance.

Musselman has now advanced to the Sweet 16 in four of his six years as a coach in the tournament. It is the third straight year Arkansas has made the Sweet 16.

Arkansas pulled away from No. 9 seed Illinois 73-63 in the first round. They pulled off a stunner in the second round, sending No. 1 seed and reigning champion Kansas home. Arkansas only led for 1:43 of the game but used its stifling defense and clutch free-throw shooting to pull off the 72-71 win.

Junior guard Davonte Davis led the way for Arkansas with 25 points (including 21 in the second half). Ricky Council IV was the team's leading scorer this season, averaging 16.1 points in 35 games.

The squad ranks 15th in adjusted defense, according to KenPom. Meanwhile, UConn is fourth in adjusted offense.

UConn started the season as the best team in the nation before falling down to earth during Big East play.

The Huskies have been one of the most impressive teams so far in this tournament.

They used a huge second half to roll past No. 13 seed Iona 87-63 after trailing at the break on March 17. They then put on a shooting clinic to beat St. Mary’s 70-55 in the second round on Sunday.

KenPom has UConn ranked as the fourth best team in the country. They have lived up to the hype so far. They have outscored their opponents by 39 combined points in their first two games.

Big man Adama Sanogo has been a wrecking ball for UConn. He put up 28 points and 13 rebounds against Iona and 24 points and eight rebounds against St. Mary’s.

It will be an interesting clash of styles. UConn will need to continue its stellar shooting to get past the tenacious Arkansas defense.

Spread: UConn (-3.5)

Total (O/U): 139.5

Moneyline: Arkansas (+150) vs. UConn (-175)

Sanogo will be a problem for the Arkansas defense. If the Huskies maintain their hot shooting from 3-point range (22-for-47 in two games), they should have no problem advancing to the Elite Eight.

However, Arkansas has proven it can hang with the best teams in the nation, even when it does not play its best offensively. The Razorbacks have the system and guards to muck it up and disrupt the flow of UConn's offense.

Game prediction

Musselman outduels Dan Hurley in a clash of styles as Arkansas pulls off another close upset.

Arkansas 64, UConn 61