Number 23 Arkansas heads to Knoxville to face #1 Tennessee on Saturday afternoon. The game is at 1:00 PM ET on ESPN. Can Tennessee cover the 12-point spread as home favorites? Keep reading for our Arkansas vs. Tennessee prediction.
The Arkansas Razorbacks are 11-2 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 4-9 ATS this season.
The Tennessee Volunteers are 13-0 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 9-4 ATS this season.
Arkansas vs. Tennessee Matchup & Betting Odds
635 Arkansas Razorbacks (+12) at 636 Tennessee Volunteers (-12); o/u 143.5
1:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, January 4, 2025
Food City Center, Knoxville, TN
TV: ESPN
Arkansas vs. Tennessee Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 70% of public bettors are currently backing Arkansas when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Arkansas Razorbacks Game Notes
Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland was exceptional in his team’s 92-62 blowout win over Oakland on Monday night. The freshman from the Bronx, NY put up 24 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists. Fland shot 9 of 16 from the floor and 5 of 8 from beyond the arc in the victory.
Arkansas forward Adou Thiero also played well in his team’s game on Monday. The Kentucky transfer logged 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in 30 minutes of playing time. Thiero is leading the team in scoring with 17.8 points per game on the campaign.
Tennessee Volunteers Game Notes
Volunteers guard Chaz Lanier was sensational in his team’s 67-52 win over Norfolk State on Tuesday night. The North Florida transfer recorded 24 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a blocked shot. Lanier shot 8 of 18 from the field and 6 of 16 from downtown in the win.
Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler also made an impact in his team’s game on New Year’s Eve. The senior from Long Island, NY registered 10 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 made three-pointers. Zeigler is third on the team in scoring with 11.7 points per game this season.
Arkansas vs. Tennessee CBB Betting Trends
Arkansas is 39-33 ATS as a road underdog since the start of the 2014 season.
The Razorbacks are 42-37 ATS in conference games since the start of the 2020 season.
The over is 30-15-1 in Arkansas’s games since the beginning of last season.
Tennessee is 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Arkansas vs. Tennessee CBB Prediction:
Tennessee’s lines now appear to be getting the “great team” bump. The Volunteers are ranked #1 in the nation this season. They are 13-0 straight up and 9-4 against the spread on the campaign. Their average scoring margin of +23.8 points per game ranks third in the country this year. That’s probably why this line is a dozen points instead of 8, 9, or 10.
This is a perfect spot for Arkansas and their head coach John Calipari. Calipari was essentially chased out of Kentucky for failing to meet the administration’s and the fan base’s lofty expectations. He has underwhelmed when his teams have been expected to win. Paradoxically, John Calipari’s teams seem to play better when they’re being counted out. Very few expect them to win this game on Saturday.
Arkansas’s roster talent is undeniable. They are likely on par with Tennessee simply when it comes to skill. They’ll have a chip on their shoulder heading into this contest as 12-point underdogs in a January conference game. I like the Razorbacks to cover the considerable spread on the road in Knoxville on Saturday afternoon.