Northern Iowa vs Arkansas Odds and Picks (Nov. 17)

• The Arkansas Razorbacks aim to remain undefeated as they take on the struggling Northern Iowa Panthers as home favorites
• The Razorbacks marched to SU wins in their first two outings, while NIU continues to search for their offensive touch after opening on a 1-2 SU run
• Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup at Bud Walton Arena

The Arkansas Razorbacks will be looking to extend their season-opening straight up win streak to three games on Wednesday, when they entertain the visiting Northern Iowa Panthers as 15.5-point home favorites.

Tip off is set for 8:30pm ET on Wednesday night on the Razorbacks’ home court at Bud Walton Arena.

Northern Iowa vs Arkansas Odds

Odds at FanDuel as of November 16, 2021.

Panthers vs Razorbacks Betting Trends

Wednesday night’s matchup marks the first ever meeting between these two programs. The Panthers face a huge challenge to overcome a dismal track record against nationally ranked opponents, losing SU in nine of their past 10, including four of their past five on the road. Northern Iowa also have a lengthy history of disappointment as a double-digit underdog on the road, losing outright in 13 of 14, and covering the spread on just three occasions during that stretch.

But while the Razorbacks enjoy an epic 24-game SU win streak while listed as double-digit chalk, they have been equally disappointing to sports bettors when favored by at least 10 points, going winless 6-10 ATS in their past 16, all on home hardwood.

Northern Iowa Panthers Outlook

The Panthers hit the road for the first time this season after picking up their first victory of the campaign, a 95-58 rout of Dubuque as lofty 28.5-point home chalk. That win comes on the heels of back-to-back outright losses to Nicholls State and Vermont as betting favorites, in which they averaged a mere 57.5 points per game. NIU’s early-season scoring woes are a source of concern after the squad averaged just 69.5 points per game while compiling a middling 10-15 SU record last season.

UNI defeats Dubuque 95-58. Panthers return to action Wednesday @ nationally-ranked Arkansas, a 7:00 Central tip that can be seen on SEC Network +. #EverLoyal #MVCHoops pic.twitter.com/AHlV0YM8rn

— Josh Betts (@BettsOnSports) November 15, 2021

While the team could point to the early loss of AJ Green to injury for last season’s woes, it has been the 2020 MVC Player of the Year’s shaky start that has raised eyebrows this time around. Green connected on just one of 14 field goal attempts in the Panthers’ season-opening loss to Nicholls State. And while the talented junior guard rebounded against the Catamounts, dropping 19 points and collecting five rebounds, he picked up just five points in limited action in Sunday’s win over Dubuque.

#CBB

1u Northern Iowa -6

AJ Green was 0-7 and 1-14 in their home opener he shoots a little better and gives this team a huge boost! #GamblingTwitter #CBBPicks pic.twitter.com/A5lrRk6Ynt

— Sports Predictor (@Sportspred1ctor) November 11, 2021

Currently listed at a distant No. 151 in adjusted offence at Kenpom, the Panthers received significant contributions from further down the lineup in their win over the Spartans, with 60 of their 95 points on the night coming off the bench. However, they will need more from the likes of Green, and senior guard Trae Berhow, if they are to keep things close against Arkansas.

Arkansas Razorbacks Outlook

After sleepwalking through the first 15 minutes of Saturday’s clash with Gardner-Webb, the Razorbacks finally found a high gear. Arkansas trailed by as many as six points before embarking on an impressive 27-5 run on the way to an 86-69 victory . While win improves the Razorbacks’ SU record to 2-0, they once again disappointed loyal sports bettors with a second straight ATS defeat. That extends the squad’s woes at the sportsbooks from late last season, and leaves them with a 3-6 ATS record in their past nine overall outings.

We hold at 16 in the AP Poll. pic.twitter.com/MC4NydQGo1

— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) November 15, 2021

Despite their tentative start, there are plenty of positives to point to in the wake of Saturday’s win. Junior big man Connor Vanover hinted that he may be poised for a major breakthrough while racking up a team-high 19 points, including eight points during the team’s 27-5 outburst. Vanover added seven rebounds for good measure, while senior guard JD Notae continued his fast start by draining 18 points in just 26 minutes of action.

🖐🏼🖐🏼🖐🏼
You would think they would learn, @Vanover_Connor.

The big man sent three shots packing on his way to 19 points and 7 rebounds in only 17 minutes.

Give us a follow for more Razorback content! 🐗🏀 #WPS #SlimReaper pic.twitter.com/lZwYN4WVK8

— The College Basketball Podcast (@TheCBBPod) November 14, 2021

While the Razorbacks have yet to pay out against the spread, they have held steady at No. 16 in the AP Top 25 following their 2-0 SU start. However, observers should not be surprised to see the team slip in the early-season SEC conference odds until they can show signs of dominating overmatched opponents like Northern Iowa.

The Pick: Panthers +15.5 (-110)