Healthier Arkansas Team Poses As Dangerous Threat To Tennessee

With Arkansas getting a key player back in Nick Smith, the Hogs have become a different team

Arkansas and Tennessee are in very different but very similar positions. Both are in very different spots in the SEC Tournament and seeding-wise for the NCAA Tournament. At the same time, both teams have been decimated by injuries to some important players this season. As the season comes down the stretch, both teams are getting healthier and looking to pick up some big wins. There's no need to question the motivation for this one.

Tennessee found their footing on Saturday against South Carolina with Josiah-Jordan James back in the lineup. James is vital to Tennessee's half-court offense, which was apparent in his absence. With him on the floor, it's much easier for Tennessee to run what they want instead of relying only on Zakai Zeigler to get in the lane and make a play.

Arkansas plays a very similar style to last season. They have some guys who are extremely good at creating their shots. They are a really good two-point team and defend the rim extremely well. They also rely on getting to the line, but not nearly as much as they did last year. Now that the Hogs have Nick Smith back, they are a tough team to guard when he and Ricky Council lV are on the floor together.

Last year, Arkansas relied on J.D. Notae and his ability to create offense. Smith and Council together most certainly fill that void and then some. If Trevon Brazille doesn't go down, who knows what the ceiling could've been for this team.

Elsewhere for the Hogs, Anthony Black has had a very solid season for the Hogs in maybe a bigger role than most anticipated. Black's two-way ability has allowed him to enter the top 10 in the SEC in BPR. Devo Davis has also gotten much better this season on the offensive end, as Davis and Arkansas' deep frontcourt has played well within their roles.

For Tennessee, we'll see if Julian Phillips is back, but if he is, the best defender in college basketball would be so important in defending Council and Smith. Expect a low-scoring rock fight at Thompson-Boling. It might not be the most fun watch, but it will certainly be interesting.

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