Arkansas Razorbacks vs James Madison Dukes Picks and Predictions December 29th 2025

Arkansas Razorbacks vs James Madison Dukes Picks and Predictions – December 29, 2025

Arkansas wraps up non-conference play at Bud Walton Arena this Monday night as the Razorbacks host James Madison. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET. The Hogs enter at 10–2 and have won four straight, all by double digits. Meanwhile, the Dukes sit at 8–4 and are one of the better scoring mid-majors in the country — but they haven’t seen anything like this Arkansas team yet.

Oddsmakers opened Arkansas as heavy favorites near -18.5, with the total around 150.5. That reflects Arkansas’s elite scoring pace at home (nearly 90 PPG) and JMU’s ability to contribute offensively. The question isn’t who wins — it’s whether Arkansas covers and how fast this game plays out.

Arkansas Razorbacks vs James Madison Dukes Odds

Here are the current betting lines. For updates closer to tipoff, check the latest college basketball odds.

Team	Moneyline	Spread	Total
Arkansas Razorbacks	-3500	-18.5 (-110)	U 150.5 (-110)
James Madison Dukes	+1200	+18.5 (-110)	O 150.5 (-110)

Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Form

Arkansas has been unstoppable offensively at home. They’re averaging 89.5 PPG overall, and their tempo is relentless. El Ellis and Tramon Mark have formed a dynamic backcourt, and the team ranks top 10 in offensive efficiency and pace. They get to the rim at will and dominate the offensive glass, leading to a ton of high-percentage second chances.

Defensively, Arkansas isn’t elite, but their pressure and depth overwhelm most teams. They rotate 9–10 players regularly and have worn down even solid opponents. As big favorites, the only real concern is late-game backdoor risk — but when they’re locked in at home, they usually extend leads, not lose them.

To dig deeper into stats and tempo trends, check the Arkansas stats and results, and keep an eye on player availability via the Arkansas injury report.

James Madison Dukes Betting Form

JMU has been solid offensively all season, averaging 75.8 PPG and shooting well from the midrange. They don’t rely too much on threes, instead attacking through motion and mismatches. Guard Terrence Edwards leads a balanced offense, but size is a concern — especially against an Arkansas team that dominates the boards.

Defensively, James Madison has struggled against pace. They allowed 84+ points in all three losses to top-100 teams and tend to break down when forced into transition. If they can’t slow Arkansas’s first push, they’ll fall behind early. The only real path to a cover is slowing the game down and hitting over 50% from the floor — a tough ask on the road in Fayetteville.

Review the James Madison schedule and stats, and always confirm final player availability with the James Madison injury report before betting.

Arkansas Razorbacks vs James Madison Dukes Matchup Breakdown

Arkansas plays one way — fast, physical, and deep. That’s a problem for JMU, which lacks the size and athleticism to keep up in a track meet. If Arkansas gets out in transition and controls the glass, this could be a 20+ point blowout by the second half.

Key matchup angles:

• Arkansas ranks top 5 in bench scoring — depth is a huge edge here.
• JMU is just 1–3 ATS vs top-100 opponents this season.
• Arkansas averages 22 fast break points per game at home.
• JMU ranks bottom 100 in opponent offensive rebounding rate.

The only thing that could stop Arkansas from covering is themselves. If they rotate early or lose focus, JMU could sneak in a backdoor. But recent form suggests the Razorbacks are peaking — and this is one they’ll want to dominate.

Arkansas Razorbacks vs James Madison Dukes Predictions and Best Bets

Arkansas has every edge: depth, pace, athleticism, and home court. Their scoring balance and ability to crush teams in transition make them a tough fade in spots like this. JMU can shoot and might hang around early, but once Arkansas turns up the tempo, they usually break teams down fast.

The total is tricky — JMU can score, and Arkansas rarely takes the air out of the ball. Still, if the Hogs clamp down on defense, this could stall in the second half. That said, the better angle is the spread.

Best Bet: Arkansas -18.5 (-110).

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