Eric Musselman commented following Arkansas’ defeat against the eighth-ranked Tennessee team.
On Wednesday night, No. 8 Tennessee basketball secured a convincing 92-63 victory over Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena. They dominated the game, extending their lead to as much as 32 points during the second half.
This marked Tennessee’s first triumph over the Razorbacks in Fayetteville since 2009, and it stood as their second-largest road win against a Division 1 opponent in nearly five decades. Junior forward Jonas Aidoo led the charge with an impressive 23 points, shooting 11-of-14 from the field, and snagging 12 rebounds. Star guard Dalton Knecht contributed 22 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the field and hitting 7-of-10 free throws.
Aidoo and Knecht were among four Vols who achieved double-digit scoring. Jordan Gainey provided a significant boost off the bench with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while fifth-year guard Josiah-Jordan James added 12 points.
Following the game, Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman addressed the media, expressing his thoughts on the loss to Tennessee. He highlighted the disparity in the second half, where they were outscored 46-23, emphasizing defensive lapses and turnovers as major issues. Musselman also pointed out the challenge of their tight schedule, with a quick turnaround for their next game against Mississippi State. He emphasized the importance of drawing more free throw attempts, considering it a vital aspect of their game plan that they fell short on against Tennessee’s physical defense.
