Tennessee basketball: Vols make it look too easy with win over Arkansas
Tennessee basketball increases their winning streak to 11 games with the 91-61 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Here are three takeaways from the game.
It didn’t take long to see where this game was headed. From the opening tip, the Vols had the game under control. Within eight minutes of game action, Tennessee was already up 23-6, and it never got close after that.
The win increases the winning streak moves to 11 games which becomes the longest streak since the 2007-08 season. The win also gives Tennessee basketball 18 straight wins at Thompson-Boling Arena, the longest of the Rick Barnes era.
The trend of straight domination continues as Arkansas was no match for the Vols. Here are a couple of takeaways from the 106-87.
1. Jordan Bowden is still on FIRE
Jordan Bowden had the best three-game span of his career scoring 20 against Georgia, 20 against Missouri, and 17 on Saturday against Florida. He continued he outstanding play scoring 19 points off the bench.
As we’ve noted, he hasn’t shot the three-point particularly well during that three-game span. However, he found his outside jumper against Arkansas. Bowden was a near perfect 5-of-6 from deep. It’s a scary thought for the SEC if the three-point shot starts falling with as well as he’s’ playing.
It’s phenomenal to think that in a span of a season Bowden could go from starter to the bench and become the SEC Sixth Man of the Year. However, the reigning award winner will have something to say about that now that he’s played his way back into shape.
2. Safe to say Lamonte Turner is back?
Along with Bowden, Lamonte Turner had an exceptional game off the bench. He led the Vols with a season-high 21 points.
Turner’s returned from his shoulder injury against Georgia where he scored just six points in only 15 minutes of action. After going 0-3 from the three-point line that game, he has made 8-of-14 and has only missed one free throw.
Tennessee is already hard enough to beat with arguably the best duo in the country in Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield. Adding Bowden and Turner playing at this level off the bench makes them almost impossible to beat.
3. Admiral Schofield called the second half
Speaking of Admiral Schofield, he called the second half. Tennessee led 55-34 at halftime with zero points out of the senior forward, That’s right ZERO points. But, how different the second half was.
Schofield came out of the gate and scored the first 14 points for the Vols. Here is the scoring breakdown.
3 – Three-point jumper
5 – Dunk
7 – Layup
9 – Jumper
12 – Three-point jumper
14 – Jumper
Just when you think you’ve played great defense and limited one of the best players in the conference to zero points in the first half, he goes off for 17 to finish the game. That’s how tough this Tennessee team is.
Week in review: Vols chomping through the SEC. dark. Next
The Vols are back in action on Saturday to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. All winning streaks come to an end, but Saturday will be about redemption. There is still a bad taste in the players’ mouth after the 78-50 loss last season.