Preview and Gamethread: Arkansas vs. Tennessee

Time: 6:00 p.m. CT

TV: ESPN2

Line: Tennessee -14.5, O/U: 151

Location: Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, TN

Coming off two losses at home, Arkansas is facing their biggest challenge of the season, an outstanding Tennessee team on the road. The Vols are 14-1, their only loss in overtime against Kansas, and have looked the part of Final Four contenders all season. It’s going to take a lot for the Hogs to pull an upset in this one.

Grant Williams looks like he wants to repeat as SEC Player of the Year this season. He was the Coaches selection in 2017-18 and is well on his way to being the first player to repeat since Corliss Williamson in 1994 and 1995. In addition to that Arkansas will need to find ways to stop Jordan Bone and Admiral Schofield as well.

Two very good defensive teams will go at it in this one, as both are still in the top 50 in efficiency. The two also share the ball exceptionally well, as over 63% of both team’s made shots are assisted. The most clear difference is the offensive efficiency. Tennessee has some of the best shot makers in the country, and Arkansas has their biggest weapons in a slump. If Arkansas wants any chance of pulling an upset, Isaiah Joe needs to break out of his slump. So far in SEC play, he’s just 5/17 from three point range. They’ll need a much more efficient night from him, plus what they got from Daniel Gafford and Mason Jones in their last time out.