Chaz Lanier scored 29 points to lead No. 1 Tennessee to a 76-52 victory over No. 23 Arkansas on Saturday, tying for the best start to a season in the program’s history.
The Volunteers (14-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) now match the 1922-23 team for the best start, according to the school.
Igor Milicic Jr. added 13 points and 18 rebounds, while Zakai Zeigler contributed 12 points and 7 assists.
Tennessee nearly shot better from 3-point range (38.5%, 10 of 26) than from the field (39.1%, 27 of 69).
For Arkansas (11-3, 0-1), D.J. Wagner had 17 points, and Boogie Fland scored 12.
Arkansas: Freshman guard Karter Knox has been a key player for the Razorbacks this season. With Johnell Davis dealing with a wrist injury, Knox has stepped into a larger role and is becoming more comfortable as a scorer.
Tennessee: Coach Rick Barnes is working to manage heavy minutes for his eight-player rotation. Freshman guard Bishop Boswell, the only other scholarship player, has been limited by a shoulder injury but is working to get back into game shape.
The game was tied at 12 midway through the first half when Lanier scored seven consecutive points. The Vols went on a nine-point run and gained a lead they would hold onto for the rest of the game.
Tennessee dominated the rebounding battle with a 27-12 advantage in the first half and finished the game with a 51-29 edge.
Arkansas will host No. 24 Ole Miss on Wednesday, while Tennessee will travel to No. 6 Florida on Tuesday.
