Arkansas' five keys for survival at top-ranked Tennessee

John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks face monumental task of taking down top-ranked Tennessee in SEC basketball opener at Tompson Bolding Arena

Feb 28, 2023; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view during Tennessee Volunteers players introductions before the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Thompson-Boling Arena. The 2025 No. 23 ranked Razorbacks aim to come away with an upset win in their third-straight trip to unbeaten and top ranked Tennessee in Saturday's SEC tip off. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2023; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view during Tennessee Volunteers players introductions before the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Thompson-Boling Arena. The 2025 No. 23 ranked Razorbacks aim to come away with an upset win in their third-straight trip to unbeaten and top ranked Tennessee in Saturday's SEC tip off. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images | Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
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4. Gen Z

Similar to the backcourt, Arkansas' front court will also have to band together in order to pull off an upset. At 6-8, junior transfer Adou Thiero has emerged as Arkansas' most consistent player. Thiero leads the team in points (18), rebounds (5.8) and steals (2.0) He'll need to match up with Tennessee's leading scorer, 6-5 senior sharpshooter Chaz Lanier who is logging 19 points while shooting 45 percent from-three point range.

Arkansas also needs fellow big men Trevin Brazile and Zvonimir Ivisic to bring their big boy pants to Knoxville as well. "I think that Z is a unique situation," Payne said. "He's 7-foot-2. With the way he shoots the ball and his touch around the basket, we need him. We need his length. We need him to bring a toughness and physicality to the game. But also we need his offense...We need him to prepare to play great."

NEXT: Who moves the crowd?

Schedule

Schedule