KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers opened their Southeastern Conference (SEC) schedule with style, defeating the No. 23 Arkansas Razorbacks 76-52 on Saturday. The victory not only marked Tennessee's 14th consecutive win but also tied for the best start to a season in the program's rich history, matching the 1922-23 team's record.
Chaz Lanier once again showcased his scoring prowess, netting 29 points and hitting five 3-pointers. His performance came after two prior games where he also scored over 20 points, solidifying his position as one of the most formidable players this season. Alongside Lanier, Igor Milicic Jr. delivered another consistent performance with 13 points and 18 rebounds, achieving his career best on the boards.
The Volunteers dominated the glass, out-rebounding Arkansas 51-29, including an impressive 24 offensive rebounds. Coach Rick Barnes expressed satisfaction with his team’s intensity and determination on the boards, which played a decisive role in the game.
The game started competitively, with Arkansas briefly holding the lead at 12-9. Tennessee quickly regained momentum following Lanier's seven consecutive points, propelling the Volunteers on a nine-point run. This stretch established the lead they maintained throughout the game.
Arkansas struggled to find their scoring rhythm, shooting just 37.7% from the field and 20.7% from 3-point range, hitting only six of their 29 attempts from beyond the arc. Tennessee's defense, ranked second nationally, forced Arkansas to endure long stretches without scoring, including a seven-minute drought in the first half where they managed only 27 points by halftime.
With the Volunteers leading 42-27 at the half, they continued to capitalize on their strength and depth as the game progressed. A significant factor contributing to Tennessee's repeat success was the team's strong passing, evident as they accumulated 17 assists, with Zakai Zeigler contributing seven assists alongside 12 points.
Despite the effort from Arkansas' D.J. Wagner, who led his team with 17 points, the Razorbacks could not recover from the mounting Tennessee leads. The Volunteers never allowed Arkansas closer than 13 points after the beginning of the second half.
Particularly noteworthy was the performance of Milicic, who consistently provided second-chance opportunities with his persistence on the boards, which rejuvenated the Volunteers' offensive chances. He emphasized his role as the anchor under the basket throughout the game, showcasing his skills both offensively and defensively.
Another highlight for Tennessee was their shooting performance. They barely shot higher from 3-point range (38.5%) than they did from the field (39.1%), which reflected their offensive efficiency. Lanier's back-to-back 3-pointers early in the second half not only extended the lead but also demoralized the Razorbacks as the game continued.
Arkansas has some soul-searching to do after this defeat, particularly concerning their rebounding strategy and offensive execution. Head Coach John Calipari noted the Razorbacks' struggles with free throws and long-distance shots, which severely hampered their scoring capabilities throughout the matchup.
The focus now shifts as the Volunteers prepare to challenge No. 6 Florida on Tuesday, providing them with another test as they look to extend their impeccable start to the season. Meanwhile, Arkansas will seek to rebound at home against No. 24 Ole Miss on the same day. With the competition heating up, both teams are aware of the stakes involved as SEC play progresses.
Overall, the Volunteers demonstrated why they sit atop the national rankings, and with key contributors like Lanier and Milicic, they appear poised to make noise not just within the SEC but across the entire NCAA basketball spectrum this season.