Ole Miss vs. Arkansas: How to watch, odds, picks, final score predictions from ESPN, KenPom

Arkansas is looking to put a stop to their losing skid, as they welcome the Ole Miss Rebels to Bud Walton Arena on Saturday. Ahead of the game, which will be broadcast live on ESPN2, predictions and betting odds – including KenPom analytics – are rolling in.

How to watch Ole Miss vs. Arkansas

Tip-off: 12 p.m. ET

Location: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Channel: ESPN2

Vegas odds

Arkansas is a 9.5-point favorite over Ole Miss on Saturday, according to VegasInsider. The over-under is set at 138.5 points.

ESPN BPI prediction

Predicted winner: Arkansas

Predicted point differential: 12.2

Win probability (for Arkansas): 86.4%

Matchup quality: 72.1

ESPN’s College Basketball Power Index (BPI) is a tool that measures team strength and uses that to predict outcomes of future performances. ESPN’s BPI has Ole Miss vs. Arkansas ranked as the 23rd highest-rated game on Saturday’s slate in terms of matchup quality.

KenPom prediction

Predicted final score: Arkansas 74, Ole Miss 64

Win probability (for Arkansas): 81%

KenPom is another tool that provides advanced analysis across college basketball. Like ESPN, KenPom projects that Arkansas comes away with a victory over Ole Miss.

Ole Miss point guard Daeshun Ruffin available to play vs. Arkansas

Poor Daeshun Ruffin just can’t stay healthy. The little Ole Miss point guard is a vital part of this Rebel team, yet hasn’t been able to be on the court as much as he’d hoped due to injuries. However, after missing the last game due to an illness, he’s back in the lineup today as Ole Miss faces Arkansas in Fayetteville — according to college hoops insider Jon Rothstein, who reported the news straight from head coach Kermit Davis. 

Here was Rothstein’s update, which he sent out in a tweet:

“Ole Miss’ Daeshun Ruffin (illness) will be available for today’s game against Arkansas, per Kermit Davis. Averages 8.6 PPG. DNP in last game.”

Ruffin hasn’t been able to pick up enough steam to return to his 2021-22 form, a year which was also cut short by injuries. And Ole Miss desperately needs him. The team already struggles in the front-court and really has no point guard presence aside from Ruffin. Any chance of turning their 1-5 conference record around starts with getting a consistent and healthy Daeshun Ruffin.

On3’s Alex Weber contributed to this article.