Tennessee Basketball’s upcoming SEC slate will kick off with a bang as the Vols host a pair of familiar faces in the Food City Center.
The Vols are set to host John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks on Jan. 4 to open the SEC season. Arkansas will also bring in former Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo as both men make their return to Knoxville to kick off the SEC schedule.
There’s no time announced for the game as of this publication.
Practice jersey says 10, but we promise that’s no. 9 @Jonasaidooo pic.twitter.com/EnpmeNaogv
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) August 9, 2024
Calipari had a 10-11 record against Rick Barnes’ Tennessee teams during his time as the head coach at Kentucky but will have the chance to write a new record in Fayetteville. Calipari took over the Arkansas program this offseason after former head coach Eric Musselman left for the Southern Cal job.
Kentucky turned around and hired BYU head coach Mark Pope as their next man in charge in the wake of Calipari’s departure.
More from RTI: Tennessee Basketball’s SEC Schedule Set For 2024-25 Season
With an empty slate to work with in building a roster, Calipari signed former Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo out of the transfer portal. Aidoo spent his first three seasons at Tennessee and earned Second Team All-SEC honors in his junior season but decided to hit the portal after the Vols’ Elite Eight exit. Aidoo signed with the Razorbacks’ program on April 29.
In 18 games at the Food City Center this past season, Aidoo averaged 12.4 points per game on 51.9 percent shooting from the floor to go along with 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Some of Aidoo’s statistics were better in 14 road games, though, averaging 11.3 points on 54.9 percent shooting with 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
The game will also serve as Tennessee’s first SEC home game since dropping the regular season finale to John Calipari’s Wildcats this past March. Aidoo recorded 11 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in the 85-81 losing effort.
Tennessee has won seven of their last nine contests against Arkansas including a current three-game win streak.
Tennessee’s full 2024-2025 SEC basketball schedule was announced on Tuesday afternoon, which you can find here.
