Tennessee vs. Arkansas: SEC Opener Preview and Prediction
The #1 ranked Tennessee Basketball Volunteers closed out their non-conference schedule last night as they defeated Norfolk State 67-52. The Vols are one win away from matching the best start in program history, but getting that win won’t be easy as they will welcome John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks into TBA this Saturday. Cal’s first year in Fayetteville will be a storyline all season in the SEC. The longtime Kentucky head coach left Lexington after five down years in a row that landed him in hot water with Big Blue Nation. It’s no secret that Tennessee fans have little love for Coach Cal, but it’ll take more than ill will from Rick Barnes and company to start SEC play with a win.
The Razorback’s leading scorer is Adou Thiero who followed Cal to Fayetteville from Kentucky and is flourishing in the new role with 17.8 points per game. He’s not the only contributor from Kentucky though as Zvonimir Ivisic and D.J. Wagner also followed Cal. Arkansas is ranked 39th by KenPom while the Vols come in ranked 4th. Arkansas has lost two games so far on the year to Illinois and Baylor which bodes well for the Vols as they were able to beat both of those teams.
Tennessee has the benefit of being the home team in this matchup and I think it’ll be too much of a challenge for the Razorbacks to overcome. The Vols have not always looked like a top-ranked team should look in the 4 weeks since earning that ranking, but none of it even matters now. Everyone is starting with a clean slate in what will be a wild ride to the finish for the SEC regular season title, and the SEC tournament will be even crazier. It would not surprise me if the winner of the SEC finishes with an 11-7 conference record. No game will be an easy win and every win will be worth celebrating. For Tennessee to have a chance to repeat as SEC Champions they will have to win games like the one they have coming up on Saturday. Defend your home floor, win a few road games and you should be in a decent spot when all the cards are face up.
Tennessee will need to shoot better than they have been recently to win this game comfortably. I expect Tennessee to shoot as many 3’s as they normally do, but if they aren’t falling early the Vols need to work inside out in the half-court. When Zeigler has gotten to the paint this year good things have happened. Whether it be a kick out to Chaz or a Lob to Okpara it has normally led to points. Defensively I expect Mashack to give Thiero hell with his on-ball defense and I also expect Felix Okpara to give a little extra effort when he goes against former Vol Jonas Aidoo in the paint. At the end of the day, Tennessee should get the win through the strength of their elite defense and the strength of a rabid home-court advantage.
Prediction
Tennessee - 78
Arkansas - 69