Better now than later.
Arkansas’ five-game winning streak came to an end Saturday to finish off the regular season as the No. 14 Razorbacks fell to No. 13 Tennessee, 78-74.
The win was a measure of revenge for the Volunteers who lost the initial game on Feb. 19 at Bud Walton Arena. Both teams will learn their official seeds for next week’s SEC Tournament by the end of the day when teams have concluded play.
Tennessee led by as many as 24 points, but Arkansas pulled within three with 14 seconds left and the ball. JD Notae attempted a 3-pointer from the win with about nine seconds left that went off the side of the rim and the Volunteers finished the game off from the line.
Arkansas (24-7, 13-5) will finish in the top four, at least, providing a first-round bye. The Hogs’ regular season was likely enough to give them a top-five- or six-seed when the NCAA Tournament is announced in eight days, too.
Tennessee (23-7, 14-4) didn’t lose at home all year and was on Arkansas from jump, leading 21 points at halftime. The Vols used the 3-ball best, knocking down 12 against the Razorbacks to break open the game. Kennedy Chandler went 5 of 6 from deep and finished with 15 points.
Chris Lykes had his best game of SEC play, finishing with 15 points before fouling out with 1:43 left. Notae had 20 points, five rebounds and four assists.