Top-ranked Tennessee dominated No. 23 Arkansas in a 76-52 victory on Saturday, led by Chaz Lanier’s 29-point performance. The win allowed the Volunteers to tie their best season start in program history at 14-0, matching the 1922-23 team. Tennessee opened its Southeastern Conference campaign with authority, setting a strong tone for the season. The game turned when Lanier sparked a nine-point run midway through the first half, breaking a 12-12 tie and giving the Vols a lead they never relinquished.
Tennessee’s Igor Milicic Jr. contributed a double-double with 13 points and 18 rebounds, while Zakai Zeigler added 12 points and seven assists. The team relied on strong rebounding and efficient long-range shooting, hitting 10 of 26 attempts from beyond the arc (38.5%). Notably, the Volunteers nearly matched their three-point shooting percentage with their overall field goal shooting at 39.1%. Tennessee dominated the boards, finishing with a 51-29 rebounding edge, including a decisive 27-12 advantage in the first half.
For Arkansas, D.J. Wagner scored 17 points, and Boogie Fland added 12 in the losing effort. The Razorbacks struggled to keep pace, despite contributions from freshman guard Karter Knox, who has been stepping up in place of the injured Johnell Davis. Knox is gaining confidence in his expanded role but faced a tough challenge against Tennessee’s relentless defense and rebounding.
Looking ahead, Arkansas will try to rebound when they host No. 24 Ole Miss on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tennessee faces another significant test as they travel to face No. 6 Florida on Tuesday. Both teams will look to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses as the SEC season progresses.
