ARKANSAS’ MOODY in line to hit the lottery.

Moses Moody is projected to be the first University of Arkansas basketball player picked in the NBA Draft after his freshman season with the Razorbacks.

Moody’s bio page in Arkansas’ notes includes 15 different projections that all have him going in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft, with a high spot of seven and low of 14.

Previously the earliest the Razorbacks have had players drafted are five after their sophomore seasons — Joe Johnson (10th overall to Boston in 2001), Patrick Beverley (42nd to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009), Bobby Portis (22nd to Chicago in 2015), Daniel Gafford (38th to Chicago in 2019) and Isaiah Joe (49th to Philadelphia in 2020).

Moody, a 6-6 guard from Little Rock, has more than lived up to expectations as he’s averaging 17.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists while starting all 26 games this season.

Coaches and media voted Moody an All-SEC first-team player and the top newcomer and freshman in the conference.

Despite the high projections, Moody said he’s focused on trying to help Arkansas win the SEC Tournament, not on where he’ll go in the NBA Draft.

“Right now, given the tournament’s coming up, we’ve just got to lock in and focus on bringing home the goal [of a championship], you could say,” Moody said. “I’ve just got the tunnel vision focused on that.”

Moody has played especially well over the past four games, averaging 24.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He’s had just two turnovers in 145 minutes over that span.

“Coach [Eric Musselman] has been preaching that all year, so that’s something I’ve specifically been focused on,” Moody said of taking care of the ball. “Just trying to get a shot on goal every possession, that’s what Coach always says.

“So just really buying into his coaching philosophy.”