No. 1 Tennessee matches the program’s finest start ever by defeating No. 23 Arkansas.
With 29 points from Chaz Lanier, No. 1 Tennessee defeated No. 23 Arkansas 76-52 on Saturday, tying for the best season start in team history.
According to the school, the Volunteers (14-0, 1-0 SEC) are tied for the best start with the 1922–23 squad.
Tennessee’s 3-point shooting percentage (38.5%, 10 of 26) was almost higher than their field goal percentage (39.1%, 27 of 69).
Boogie Fland scored 12 points and D.J. Wagner scored 17 for Arkansas (11-3, 0-1).
Key Takeaways
Arkansas: The Razorbacks’ “X” element thus far this season has been rookie guard Karter Knox. As he has been covering for Johnell Davis, who has been battling a wrist ailment, his role has grown recently. As a scorer, he is growing more at ease.
Tennessee: The issue for Vols coach Rick Barnes is to try to relieve the pressure of some heavy minutes for his eight-player rotation. Bishop Boswell, Tennessee’s ninth and last scholarship player, is a freshman guard who has been sidelined by a shoulder injury. He’s regaining his competitive edge.
Crucial moment
Midway through the first half, with the score knotted at 12, Lanier scored seven points in a row, giving the Vols a nine-point surge and breathing room they never lost.
Important statistic
Tennessee ended the game with a 51-29 lead after establishing a 27-12 rebounding advantage in the first half.
Next up, Tennessee will visit No. 6 Florida on Tuesday, while Arkansas will face No. 24 Ole Miss on Wednesday.
