Tennessee Volunteers vs Arkansas Razorbacks Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/03/2026

Game Time: 3:00 pm ET, Saturday, January 3, 2026

Venue:  Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, AR

Where to Watch:  ESPN2

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Tennessee +1.5, Arkansas -1.5; Over/Under:  153.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Tennessee +1.5, Arkansas -1.5; Over/Under:  153.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Tennessee +1.5, Arkansas -1.5; Over/Under:  153.5 points

Tennessee Volunteers:  10-3 (0-0) (8th place, SEC)

Arkansas Razorbacks:  10-3 (0-0) (5th place, SEC)

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Tennessee Volunteers:  3-2  last 5

Arkansas Razorbacks:  4-1  last 5

Tennessee is entering this game with a 10-3 record overall, a 0-0 record in conference games, and they are 0-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the South Carolina State Bulldogs in their last game. Ja'Kobi Gillespie led the team in points in that game with 21 while Nate Ament was next on the team with 16. Ja'Kobi Gillespie led the team in assists with 8 in that game while Jalen Carey and J.P. Estrella each led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 60.9% from the field, 34.8% from 3-point range, and 57.6% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 83.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 63.7 PPG against them. Tennessee has an ATS record of 5-8 this season and their O/U record is 7-6.

Arkansas is entering this game with a 10-3 record overall, a 0-0 conference record, and they are 8-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the James Madison Dukes in their last game. Meleek Thomas led the team in points in that game with 28 while Darius Acuff was next on the team with 17. Darius Acuff and Billy Richmond each led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Malique Ewin led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 54.8% from the field, 53.6% from 3-point range, and 64.5% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 90.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 74.8 PPG against them. Arkansas has an ATS record of 9-4 this season and their O/U record is 7-6.

The current betting odds have Arkansas listed as a 1.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Arkansas has looked really good in their games this season with their 10-3 record overall which has them right near the top of the SEC at the moment. They have looked great on their home court too with their 8-0 home record this year. Meanwhile, Tennessee has looked really good in their games this season with their 10-3 record overall which has them in the top half of the SEC at the moment. They haven't been a great road team so far though, going 0-1 in their road games this season. Tennessee is off a big win over South Carolina State and they have looked better lately against some bad opponents, but they definitely haven't been at their best. They are only 3-2 in their last 5 games as they did go through a rough patch, and this isn't going to be an easy game for them. This isn't the same Tennessee team that has dominated the SEC over the last few years, and that is going to be an issue for them as they play their first road game in the conference here. Arkansas has been rolling in their games lately, going 4-1 in their last 5 games and coming off a win over JMU in their last one. They have been rolling over teams at home all season too, and their 3 losses this year were not against bad opponents. Calipari has this program heading in the right direction and this is a great opportunity for them to pick up a statement win at home. The best way to place a bet here is on Arkansas to cover the spread in this game. 

Tennessee Arkansas Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, January 3, 2026 (3:00 pm ET start time) is Arkansas 74 Tennessee 67.

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Tennessee Volunteers: 5-2 ATS as a road underdog or pick. 6-2 ATS after a game where they made 55% of their shots or better. 7-4 ATS when the total is 150 to 159.5. 7-3 OVER on the road when the line is +3 to -3. 14-8 OVER off a home blowout win by 20 points or more.

Arkansas Razorbacks: 8-21 ATS when the total is 150 to 159.5. 4-13 ATS after a win by 15 points or more. 9-18 ATS after scoring 85 points or more. 21-10 OVER as a home favorite or pick. 12-4 OVER after 3 or more consecutive overs.

Tennessee Volunteers:  C. Phillips (F) Out - Shoulder.

Arkansas Razorbacks:  None.

"There's so much more left in his tank. We watch him every day and there's just so much more. He's made really good strides, but I just think Jaylen, there's so much more." - Rick Barnes on Jaylen Carey this season. 

“We don’t have any rules. If you put your name in the draft — I don’t care if you’re from Russia — and you stay in the draft, you can’t play college basketball.” - John Calipari on the state of college basketball.

N. Ament 

B. Boswell 

J. Gillespie 

F. Okpara 

C. Phillips

D. Acuff 

T. Brazile 

K. Knox 

N. Pringle 

D. Wagner

PPG: Ja'Kobi Gillespie (17.8)

APG: Ja'Kobi Gillespie (5.8)

Reb/G: Jaylen Carey (6.9)

PPG: Darius Acuff Jr. (18.8)

APG: Darius Acuff Jr. (6.2)

Reb/G: Trevon Brazile (7)

Coaches:

Tennessee Volunteers: Rick Barnes (11th season)

Arkansas Razorbacks: John Calipari (2nd season)