After the No. 23 Arkansas Razorbacks 11-3 (0-1 SEC) defeated the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 92-62 to end the non-conference portion of the season, the team had to face the arduous task of starting SEC play on the road against the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers 14-0 (1-0 SEC) in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In the game against Oakland, Arkansas did not perform well until the second half, which is not the type of play needed heading into the SEC gauntlet. The Razorbacks, far superior to the Golden Grizzlies, should have dominated them throughout the game. In the second half, the Hogs met expectations and dominated the Golden Grizzlies.
Although it has been an unfortunate throughline this season that Arkansas starts games slowly, the Razorbacks appeared poised to upset the Volunteers in the game's opening minutes, which was positive news for Razorback Nation. Unfortunately, for Razorback Nation, the positive news faded into undesirable news as Tennessee quickly took control of the game, largely because of Arkansas’s inability to shoot and rebound.
The Volunteers took a 15-point lead into halftime, 42-27. In the second half, Tennessee maintained its dominance, outscoring Arkansas 34-25, as ESPN disclosed. Ultimately, Tennessee crushed Arkansas 76-52. Fans and media used social media to express their displeasure with Arkansas’s horrible performance against Tennessee.
Social Media Reactions: Arkansas basketball vs Tennessee
Early in the first half, Dr. Antonio Daniels, a Razorbackers Contributor for FanSided, posited that Arkansas could not defeat Tennessee if the Hogs did not improve its shooting and rebounding.
To beat No. 1 Tennessee, Arkansas must shoot and rebound significantly better. #WPS #Arkansas #Razorbacks
— Dr. Antonio M. Daniels (@paideiarebel) January 4, 2025
Jackson Collier, an Arkansas basketball beat writer at Hawg Beat, noted how pitiful a performance the Razorbacks had against the Volunteers: “Everyone struggled.”
FINAL: Tennessee 76, Arkansas 52
— JC Hoops (@JacksonCollier) January 4, 2025
Volunteers nearly finished with more rebounds (51) than Arkansas had points.
Everyone struggled. Couldn’t close out possessions. Couldn’t hit shots. Just a rough, rough game. Hopefully an anomaly. Very uncharacteristic.
Jon Rothstein, a CBS sports reporter, characterized the game as a “massacre.”
A massacre at Rocky Top as Tennessee clobbers Arkansas by 24. Vols have blown out every opponent they've played except Illinois. 14-0. Will travel to Florida and Texas next week.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 4, 2025
Connor Goodson, an Arkansas football and basketball journalist at Hawg Beat, stated, “Hogs were punked on the glass all day.”
FINAL | Tennessee beats Arkansas 76-52
— Connor Goodson (@ConnorGoodson) January 4, 2025
Hogs were punked on the glass all day. Best players didn't show up offensively. Just an ugly, ugly performance to start SEC play. #WPS
Hoops Southbound was impressed with how “incredible” Tennessee performed.
Tennessee rocks Arkansas 76-52. Tennessee looks incredible and looked like a 1 seed. Cal’s got to flush that one and make sure Arkansas bounces back at home.
— Hoops Southbound (@HoopsSouthbound) January 4, 2025
Pinto, an Arkansas fan with a large social media following, was disappointed with how Johnell Davis performed today and throughout the season.
Nelly Davis is officially on “Tony Snell” watch… https://t.co/X0FcxjTNUM pic.twitter.com/SpWhaLZ0kI
— pinto (@pinto479) January 4, 2025
Hogtrough, an Arkansas fan never afraid to share his thoughts about the Hogs, contended that this team “must make some significant changes” to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
All of the concerns for this Hog team leading up to today were only further reinforced. Hogs really have to make some significant changes to be considered an NCAAT team.
— Hogtrough (@Hogtrough) January 4, 2025