Arkansas Razorbacks vs Tennesee Volunteers
Mar 10, 2011 at 7:30 PM EST
Opening Line: Tenn -5.5
Current Line: Tenn -6
Opening Total: 132.5
Current Total: 133
Opening Moneyline: Tenn -245 / Ark +205
Current Moneyline: Tenn -260 / Ark +220
This matchup of the SEC Round 1 promises to be a good one. Arkansas (18-12) is 7-9 in SEC play, good for 3rd in the SEC-West, while Tennessee (18-13) is 8-8 in the SEC-East.
Both teams have nearly identical records, and actually have nearly identical point differentials. Arkansas is at +4.3, scoring 70.8 a game and giving up only 66.5. Tennesee scores 70.4 a game and gives up 66.7. Given the teams’ strong defense, it’s easy to see why the total is set below the combinative total of their offensive outputs.
Arkansas has won 4 of their last 7 games, with victories coming against LSU, FAMU, #15 ranked Kentucky, and Auburn, and losses coming against Alabama, Mississippi State, and Mississippi. They have lost both of their last games (Mississippi State and Mississippi) by ten points, as their defense failed them, giving up in excess of 80 points in both games.
Tennessee has lost 6 of their past 9, but 3 of those 6 losses were against ranked teams and they did defeat then-ranked #18 Vanderbilt, showing the potential of the Volunteers. Scotty Hopson and Melvin Goins combined for 34 of Tennesse’s 60 points, and they surrendered only 51 points. Their success entirely hinges on their tough defense.
Some betting trends:
Tennessee is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games and they are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tennessee’s last 6 games and the total has gone UNDER in 11 of their last 15 games. Tennessee is 9-4 SU in their last 13 games against Arkansas.
Arkansas is led by 6’0″ junior guard Rotnei Clarke. Clarke scores 13.8 points per game while shooting a blistering 44% from distance (73 of 166). He’s hit 4 threes or more 10 times, and Arkansas is 8-2 in those 10 games. Over the last three games, Clarke is averaging 20 a game, and has done so without attempting a lot of field goals. He shot 11 free throws against Alabama, and if he plays his game he might be able to get Terrence Jones in foul trouble. 6’9″ senior big man Delvon Johnson makes a difference for Arkansas, as well. He averages 9.7 points per game and leads the team in rebounding with 7.4 boards per game. He’s had 4 double doubles and Arkansas is a perfect 4-0 in those four games. His best game came against Troy on December 4th, when he went for 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Tennessee is led by 6’7″ junior forward Scotty Hopson. Hopson averages a team leading 17.7 points per game and shoots 38.3% from three (51 of 133). He has scored in double figures in all but two Volunteer games, both of which Tennesee lost. Over his last 7 games he is averaging 19 points per game and recently had a 32 point game in a 69-63 loss to Georgia. 6’8″ freshman Tobias Harris also makes a big difference for Tennessee. His average of 14.7 points per is second highest on the Volunteers and he is tied for the best rebounding average (with Brian Williams). He has recorded 7 double doubles this year and is averaging 19.6 points per game over the last 3 games. If he and Hopson can both get going this one won’t be close.
