KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — On Saturday, Chaz Lanier delivered an impressive performance, scoring 29 points as the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers triumphed over No. 23 Arkansas with a score of 76-52. This victory enabled Tennessee to match the program record for the best start to a season, now standing at 14-0 and 1-0 in the Southeastern Conference, a start previously set by the 1922-23 team.
In addition to Lanier’s standout performance, Igor Milicic Jr. contributed significantly with 13 points and an impressive 18 rebounds, while Zakai Zeigler added 12 points and provided 7 assists. Tennessee’s shooting was notably efficient from beyond the arc, hitting 38.5% on 3-pointers (10 out of 26), which was slightly better than their overall field goal shooting percentage of 39.1% (27 out of 69).
For Arkansas, D.J. Wagner led the scoring with 17 points, and Boogie Fland chipped in with 12 points as well. The Razorbacks faced a challenge, particularly with their rotation as they adjusted to injuries.
Takeaways from the game highlighted the role of freshman guard Karter Knox as an unexpected yet crucial contributor for Arkansas. Stepping up in lieu of injured Johnell Davis, Knox has increased his scoring presence and is becoming more confident on the court. Meanwhile, for Tennessee, coach Rick Barnes is working to balance the minutes among his eight-man rotation effectively, especially with freshman guard Bishop Boswell recovering from a shoulder injury. Boswell’s return to full form is anticipated as he increases his playing time.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when the score was tied at 12 midway through the first half. Lanier sparked a momentum shift by scoring seven consecutive points, leading the Vols on a nine-point run that gave them a cushion they maintained throughout the matchup.
The statistics reflected Tennessee’s dominance on the boards as they achieved a 27-12 rebounding advantage in the first half and concluded the game with a total of 51 rebounds to Arkansas’s 29.
Looking ahead, Arkansas is set to host No. 24 Ole Miss on Wednesday, while Tennessee will face a challenging road matchup against No. 6 Florida on Tuesday.
