Tennessee basketball opened up SEC play with a commanding 76-52 victory over Arkansas on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville.
The Vols used a 10-0 run to take control of the game a quarter of the way through the first half and never looked back from there. Here’s three quick takeaways on the win.
Chaz Lanier and Igor Milicic Answer The Bell
Meeting with the media on Friday, Rick Barnes talked about the upcoming challenge of the first run through SEC play for the incoming transfers. That was particularly important for Chaz Lanier and Igor Milicic Jr. The duo each answered the ball against the Razorbacks.
Lanier was Lanier, hitting shots from all over the floor. He made his first four shots from the field during a stretch where Tennessee pushed its lead to double-digits midway through the first half. The North Florida transfer led the game in scoring with 29 points.
Lanier made 10-of-20 shots from the field and five-of-nine shot from three-point range. Of his four missed three-pointers, three of them went in-and-out. Lanier’s ability to get his shot off quick and hit at a high rate remains incredibly impressive.
Then there was Milicic who entered the game having missed all 13 three-point attempts in his last four games. He knocked down his first attempt in what had to be major weight lifted off his shoulders.
Milicic had a solid night offensively, scoring 13 points and making two-of-five triples. But it’s what he does on the glass that continues to be incredibly impressive. He grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds including six on the offensive end.
Tennessee needs that duo to be two of its best players in SEC play. They answered the bell in the opener.
Tennessee Dominates The Glass
Tennessee’s ability to rebound the basketball was one of the biggest reasons that they went unbeaten in non conference play. But with SEC play and superior athletes on the schedule, to what level the Vols could continue to rebound was a question.
They made a resounding statement on the glass against Arkansas, out rebounding the Razorbacks 51-29 in over the course of the game including a 24-9 advantage on the offensive end.
Tennessee’s ability to extend possessions was a big part of its ability to build a 15-point halftime lead. The Vols totaled earned a 27-12 advantage on the glass. Perhaps most remarkable is what Milicic did. Milicic grabbed nine of his game-high 18 rebounds in the first half.
Meaning Arkansas entire team totaled just three more rebounds than the 6-foot-10 forward through the first 20 minutes of action.
Tennessee is known for its physicality and it showed up on the glass as they out toughed the Razorbacks and coasted to the victory.
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A Forgettable Return To Knoxville For Jonas Aidoo
The most intriguing storyline entering the game was Jonas Aidoo’s return to Knoxville after spending three seasons with the Vols and earning First Team All-SEC honors a year ago.
Aidoo started the game well enough, blocking a shot in the game’s opening minutes, but from there things went poorly. It started moments later when Aidoo went zero-for-two in a trip to the foul line. From there he was largely a non factor.
He picked up two fouls in the first half but still played 11 minutes and made very little impact. He didn’t record a rebound or a point until the second half.
Aidoo did play better in the second half when Tennessee largely retained complete control and finished the game with four points, five rebounds and three blocks. Felix Okpara, who Tennessee added in the transfer portal to replace Aidoo, totaled 10 points and four rebounds.
Final Stats
Up Next
Tennessee returns to the court on Tuesday night when they face No. 6 Florida in Gainesville for a top 10 tilt. Tipoff between the Vols and Gators is at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
