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Arkansas vs Tennessee: 2021-22 SEC Basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Matt Melton

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 05: JD Notae #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks directs the offense during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena on February 05, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Bulldogs 63-55. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 05: JD Notae #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks directs the offense during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena on February 05, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Bulldogs 63-55. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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2021-22 SEC Basketball Game Preview: No. 23 Arkansas vs No. 16 Tennessee

When: Saturday, February 19 at 4:00 pm ET on ESPN

Location: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, AR

Two of the hottest teams in SEC Basketball meet for a Top 25 showdown on Saturday afternoon as Arkansas hosts Tennessee inside Bud Walton Arena.

Despite their nine-game winning streak being snapped last Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Arkansas got back on their winning ways with a dominant 76-57 mid-week road win at Missouri. Never trailing against the Tigers, Arkansas shot an impressive 49.1% from the field, as well as going 11-for-21 (52.4%) from three.

Having won 10 of their last 11 games, the Razorbacks are ranked as the No. 23 team in the country, and currently sit at 20-6 overall, and 9-4 in the SEC. Averaging an impressive 78.1 PPG, the Razorbacks are a solid team offensively, but also own the No. 18 team defensively in the country (KenPom) that allows 67.8 PPG.

Led by one of SEC Basketball’s top scorers in guard JD Notae (18.8 PPG), the Razorbacks have also gotten strong play in recent games from Jaylin Williams and Stanley Umude, both of which are averaging 10+ PPG this season. Guards Au’Diese Toney, Davonte Davis, and Chris Lykes also see significant minutes for the Razorbacks, while Trey Wade will also see time in the frontcourt.

Tennessee on the other hand comes to Fayetteville having won five straight, with none arguably more-impressive than the Volunteers 76-63 home win over Kentucky on Tuesday night. Building a lead mid-way through the first half, the Volunteers were out-rebounded by the Wildcats, but did shoot 47.1% from three (8-for-17), as well as 20-for-23 from the free throw line.

The Volunteers are ranked as the No. 16 team in the country at 19-6 (10-3 in SEC), and own the nation’s No. 4 team in defensive efficiency (KenPom), only allowing 63.1 PPG to opponents. Averaging 74.4 PPG offensively, the Volunteers are led by the backcourt duo of Santiago Vescovi and Kennedy Chandler, both of whom average 13 PPG.

In addition to those two, Tennessee has gotten strong play recently from freshman guard Zakai Zeigler, while Josiah-Jordan James, Justin Powell, and Victor Bailey Jr will all see time. Olivier Nkamhoua and John Fulkerson lead the frontcourt, while Uros Plavsic, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, and Jonas Aidoo will likely see time also.

When predicting this game, it is simply hard to bet against Arkansas inside Bud Walton Arena, even against a ranked opponent (Razorbacks defeated then No. 1 Auburn last Saturday).

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A matchup between two elite defensive teams, expect this game to be close throughout, as well as potentially low scoring. Arkansas should pick up yet another big win at home, but don’t be surprised if Tennessee comes to Fayetteville and leaves with a win either.

Prediction: Arkansas 75, Tennessee 72

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