Since the Arkansas Razorbacks stormed into the SEC in 1992, their showdowns with Tennessee have delivered nothing short of legendary moments, regardless of the coaches, rankings, or expectations. As we gear up for another explosive chapter of this storied rivalry, let’s dive into the top 5 most electrifying games in this series that have kept fans on the edge of their seats!
HONORABLE MENTION: No. 13 Tennessee 78, No. 14 Arkansas 74 (2022)
In one of the wildest games of 2022, Arkansas came roaring back from a 21-point deficit in the first half to make it a nail-biter. The Hogs had a chance to force overtime with seconds left, but Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler sealed the win with clutch free throws, leaving fans in a frenzy!
#5: No. 5 Arkansas 65, Tennessee 64 (1994)
The Hogs were on the verge of a crushing loss until Scotty Thurman channeled his national championship magic and drained a game-winning three-pointer with 21 seconds left. This one will go down as a clutch moment for the ages!
#4: Arkansas 82, No. 10 Tennessee 77 [OT] (2001)
An unforgettable overtime battle saw Arkansas’ Joe Johnson, Janero Pargo, and Carl Baker put on a show, combining for 52 points to upset the Vols. With Tennessee’s Isaiah Victor doing his best to keep them in the game, Arkansas powered through in a dramatic extra period!
#3: Arkansas 70, Tennessee 68 (2005)
A gritty, hard-fought win by Arkansas, led by Ronnie Brewer and Olu Famutimi, held off a red-hot Chris Lofton and the Vols. The Razorbacks needed this victory badly, and they delivered with an epic crowd at Bud Walton rocking the house!
#2: Arkansas 92, No. 4 Tennessee 91 (2008)
Amidst chaos in the SEC Tournament, Arkansas pulled off one of the most unforgettable upsets of the year, edging out the powerhouse Vols in a game filled with buzzer-beaters and madness. Stephen Hill’s game-winning jumper secured Arkansas a thrilling victory!
#1: Arkansas 95, No. 19 Tennessee 93 [OT] (2017)
Mike Anderson’s squad delivered the ultimate overtime thriller, as Daniel Gafford, Jaylen Barford, and Daryl Macon delivered clutch play after clutch play, surviving a massive comeback by Tennessee to claim a legendary 95-93 win over the Vols!
These five explosive matchups showcase the unrelenting fire of this rivalry, and as Arkansas and Tennessee prepare to face off again, one thing’s for sure: we can expect nothing less than another heart-pounding classic!
