Postgame Thoughts: Tennessee 84, Arkansas 66

Tennessee's Jordan Bone, center, heads to the basket as Arkansas' Jaylen Barford, left, and Daniel Gafford defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament Saturday, March 10, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vols offense rolls

You'd be hard pressed to find a team that can beat the Vols when they're as efficient as they were today. Coach Rick Barnes said postgame that his club's first half effort was its best basketball of the season.

Everything typically starts with Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield, one of the best 1-2 punches in the league. But when guys like Jordan Bone and James Daniel get going on top of that, it spells trouble for opponents.

You could also throw Kyle Alexander into that mix as well. He finished with 12 points and seven boards to go with a pair of blocks. He's a solid rim protector.

Tennessee had it all working today, and it began literally seconds after the ball was tossed up. Bone scored his first bucket of the night just six seconds in and the Vols were off and running. After a missed layup from Schofield, Tennessee reeled off nine straight makes and pushed its lead to nine.

Then came a 10-0 run after a Daniel Gafford bucket. Tennessee scored on 20 of its 30 first half possessions - 1.600 points per possession - and on 35 of 61 for the game. Rick Barnes' club really valued the basketball, turning it over just 10 times.

Tennessee's guards, combined, turned the ball over just two times, and it led to a lot of great, efficient looks.

Macon in better rhythm

Daryl Macon largely struggled with his shot in Arkansas' first two games in St. Louis, but Saturday he got back into more of the groove we've become accustomed to seeing.

He scored a team-high 19 points on 5 of 10 shooting and 2 of 3 from deep. He didn't make his first three of the week until the second half of the Florida game so, despite the loss, he has to be feeling better about his jumper heading into the tournament after having a bit of success.

Daryl badly wanted to beat Tennessee and get another crack at Kentucky on Sunday. So much so that he says he hasn't thought at all about where Arkansas will land in the NCAA Tournament.

"I wanted this tournament," he said. "Maybe when I see our name called tomorrow I might be a little excited. It's not hitting me yet."

As I wrote last week, Daryl playing for his college career should frighten opposing coaches and players. I have no doubt he's going to bring his A-game next week wherever the Hogs end up.

Hogs run out of gas

Daniel Gafford leaving four consecutive free throws short in the final four minutes of the game kind of summed up Arkansas' day against Tennessee.

The Hogs' legs were tired. And aside from a small burst of energy when they pulled within 11 on Anton Beard's acrobatic layup off a Vol turnover, the Razorbacks were a bit sluggish. And it's understandable given it was their third game in as many days.

The energy level just wasn't there and it was evident guys were dragging. Tournament play can be draining trying to remain alert and focused all the while making sure you're fed and rested.

Even Daryl Macon, toward the end, was doubled over prior to and between free throws.

"We didn't have any energy today," Macon said. "I think that's what cost us today. We usually play with a lot of energy out there. Like (Mike Anderson) said, Tennessee just came with it on their mind that they just wanted it more."

Anderson said he thought the energy level was much better after halftime, but Tennessee continued to find ways to extend its lead and fend off the few threats Arkansas made.

"You could see in the second half it was totally different," Anderson added. "But when you get a deficit that big, it's hard to kind of overcome that, but it wasn't because of lack of effort."

Dangerous Vols

Tennessee players told the ESPN TV talent that the loss at Arkansas to kick off conference play served as a turning point of sorts. Players adapted to their roles and the result was a co-conference title.

This Tennessee team is going to be a very, very difficult out in the coming weeks.

Admiral Schofield said the Vols being picked to finish so low in the conference this season played a role in the team's motivation and they are playing their best ball right now.

It's not just Grant Williams and Schofield. The guard play is strong with Bone, Bowden - who had an off game today - and James Daniel. He added another dimension to their offense against Arkansas. Then there's Alexander quietly finishing with 10+ points to complement the stars.

They're very well-rounded and will probably be a trendy pick to make a deep run when the brackets are released tomorrow afternoon.