NCAAM Preview: Arizona Vs. Tennessee
The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to break the Arizona Wildcats’ undefeated start to the season tonight in Knoxville. The Vols will host the Wildcats in a massive non-conference win as Tennessee turns its attention to SEC play against Alabama next week.
The Vols’ most recent scheduling against Memphis was canceled last Saturday after Memphis reported positive COVID tests, meaning that Tennessee has not played a game in over a week.
Earlier this week, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes met with the media to discuss several topics pertaining to the team, including the upcoming matchup against Arizona.
“One, I think Tommy (Lloyd) has done a really good job,” Barnes said to the media. “Certainly inherited some players and he’s added some to the mix himself. The way they’re playing, they’re playing really good basketball. Front line is terrific. The blocks they do around there. I’ve really enjoyed watching them. What I’ve watched of them, they play hard. They’re not going to beat themselves. They mix their defenses. They know what they’re looking for on the offensive end. They have about an eight-man rotation that they believe in. And those eight guys, the rotational players, have played well. The guys coming off the bench have played well the last couple games. So they’re at a team that are very confident, and they should be, because of what they’ve done up to this point, there’s no reason for them not to be.”
How to Watch – No. 6 Arizona (11-0, 2-0 Away) @ No. 19 Tennessee (8-2, 6-0 Home):
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
- Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT
- TV: ESPN 2
- Online Streaming: Watch ESPN/The ESPN App
- Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
Odds and Statistics
- Fanduel Sportsbook
- Spread: Tennessee -2 (-110)/Arizona +2 (-110)
- Moneyline: Tennessee -128/Arizona +106
- Total: Over/Under 153.5 (-110)
- DraftKings
- Spread: Tennessee -2 (-110)/Arizona +2 (-110)
- Moneyline: Tennessee -125/Arizona +105
- Total: Over/Under 154 (-110)
- ESPN’s Basketball Power Index currently gives Tennessee a 76.8 percent chance to win the game.
Additional Read from RTI: Tennessee Looking For Marquee Win Against Arizona Before Conference Play
Previous Matchups
- Tennessee and Arizona have faced off four times on the hardwood since 1956, with the Vols leading the series 3-1
- Rick Barnes has a career record of 1-8 against Arizona
- Tennessee is 2-0 against Arizona while at home
Probable Starters (via UT Sports)
Stat Leaders
Tennessee:
- Points: Kennedy Chandler – 14.6 PPG, 47.9 FG%, 77.8 FT%
- Rebounds: John Fulkerson – 6.2 RPG, 3.2 DRPG, 3.0 ORPG
- Assists: Kennedy Chandler – 5.4 APG, 2.2 TOPG, 29.4 MPG
Arizona:
- Points: Bennedict Mathurin – 17.4 PPG, 49.3 FG%, 78.9 FT%
- Rebounds: Christian Koloko – 7.3 RPG, 5.0 DRPG, 2.3 ORPG
- Assists: Kerr Kriisa – 5.4 APG, 1.7 TOPG, 27.7 MPG
Last Five Games
Tennessee
- 12/14/21 – W – USC Upstate 52 @ Tennessee 96
- 12/11/21 – W – UNC Greensboro 36 @ Tennessee 76
- 12/7/21 – L/OT * – Texas Tech 57 vs Tennessee 52
- 12/4/21 – W – Tennessee 69 @ Colorado 54
- 11/30/21 – W – Presbyterian 44 @ Tennessee 86
Arizona
- 12/18/21 – W – California Baptist 60 @ Arizona 84
- 12/15/21 – W – North Colorado 76 @ Arizona 101
- 12/11/21 – W – Arizona 83 @ Illinois 79
- 12/8/21 – W – Wyoming 65 @ Arizona 94
- 12/5/21 – W – Arizona 90 @ Oregon State 65
* Indicates game was played at a neutral location
Statement game tonight in Knoxville as No. 19 Tennessee is hosting No. 6 Arizona in a big time Top 20 matchup.
Who do you think will take home the victory?
Vote & share!
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) December 22, 2021
