Wesley Hitt/Getty Images. Pictured: Kole Ramage.
NC State vs. Arkansas Odds & Schedule
Fayetteville Regional: June 11-13*
| Odds | Game 1 | Series | Futures |
| NC State | +135 | +500 | +5000 |
| Arkansas | -165 | -900 | +200 |
| Odds as of Thursday afternoon and via BetMGM. | |||
- Game 1: Friday, 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU
- Game 2: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2
- Game 3*: Sunday, 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPNU
Series schedule and programming are subject to change due to flex scheduling and inclement weather.
NC State (33-17) vs. No. 1 Arkansas (49-11)
Series Betting Analysis
Arkansas entered the Fayetteville regional not just as the SEC champions, but as a club that has not lost a weekend series the entire season.
Big Ten champ Nebraska pushed the Razorbacks to the brink, almost defeating the No. 1 overall seed in Baum-Walker Stadium. The Razorbacks’ season may have been over by now if not for the heroics of National Player of the Year Kevin Kopps.
The Arkansas closer boasts some unbelievable statistics, posting 120 strikeouts against 15 walks and six earned runs in 79.2 innings of work, per NCAA Stats.
Head coach Dave Van Horn has completely modeled the pitching staff after the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing starters to go just a few innings. When the starting staff gets in trouble, Van Horn is quick to “call the Kopps.” NC State’s ability to get a lead and keep Kopps out of the game is crucial.
The Wolfpack are known for their offense, owning a top-10 rank in home runs per game and slugging. NC State has now won 21-of-25 after sweeping the Ruston region with a combined score of 30-11 in three games. The Wolfpack are the hottest hitting team heading into the super regionals.
The handicap in Fayetteville depends on whether or not the NC State pitching staff can shut down the Razorback bats.
Starter Reid Johnston has pitched into the seventh inning for the Wolfpack in each of his last 10 outings. Southpaw closer Evan Justice has earned 10 saves but has allowed 25 earned runs through 50 innings pitched.
When it comes to defensive efficiency, these are two of the best teams in the nation with NC State ranking fifth in Division I.
Probable Starting Pitchers & Projected Odds
| Game | NC State | Arkansas | Proj. |
| 1 | Reid Johnston | Caleb Bolden | ARK -180 |
| 2 | Sam Highfill | Patrick Wicklander | ARK -220 |
| 3* | Matt Willadsen | Lael Lockhart | ARK -210 |
This is the first matchup between Elliott Avent and Van Horn, who rank sixth and seventh, respectively, in wins for active head coaches.
The Fayetteville region will be the hottest site for home runs and brilliant flashes of leather. These two teams are identical in rankings when it comes to home runs per game, slugging and fielding percentage.
The handicap comes down to the best player at the collegiate level in Kopps.
Because of the anchor in the Razorbacks’ bullpen, the buy point for Arkansas is -300 for the series. There is, however, inflation in the market, as has been the case with Arkansas prices all season.
These teams are truly a coin flip from an offensive and starting staff perspective. Kopps is not worth the -900 on the market as of this writing, making NC State a buy down to +280.
Pick: NC State +500 (down to +280)
