No. 8 Tennessee looks to bounce back from their recent defeat as they prepare to take on Arkansas next.

Tennessee’s coach, Rick Barnes, remains unfazed by his team’s recent significant loss as they gear up to face SEC rival Arkansas on Wednesday. Despite the 85-69 defeat against Texas A&M, Barnes emphasizes that setbacks are part of college basketball, citing examples like the previous national champions, Connecticut, who faced a rough patch last year. He underscores the importance of learning from such losses and bouncing back stronger.

The loss against Texas A&M was Tennessee’s most significant defeat since their 107-79 loss to Kentucky over two years ago and their first double-digit loss since February 18, 2023. This defeat pushed them to fourth place in the SEC standings, trailing behind South Carolina, Alabama, and Auburn. The Volunteers struggled with their shooting, managing only 37.1 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from the three-point range.

Despite Tennessee’s recent setback, Arkansas seems to be gaining momentum with two wins in their last three games. Coach Eric Musselman has been experimenting with different lineups, employing a four-guard lineup against Georgia in their recent 78-75 victory. The inclusion of El Ellis, who scored 15 points in that game, underscores Musselman’s willingness to adapt and adjust his strategies as the season progresses.