No. 23 Arkansas doesn't grow up quickly enough in loss to No. 1 Tennessee

If Arkansas wanted to down No. 1 Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, it would have to be perfect. 

That was far from the case in the Razorbacks' SEC opener, as the No. 1 Volunteers took down No. 23 Arkansas by a final score of 76-52. 

Arkansas' freshman standouts in Boogie Fland and Karter Knox were largely silent in the loss, scoring just 12 and six points, respectively. In his return to Knoxville, former Tennessee forward Jonas Aidoo only scored four points. Florida Atlantic transfer Johnell Davis was held scoreless on the afternoon, going 0-of-4 from the field. 

D.J. Wagner led Arkansas in scoring with 17 points and was one of only two Razorbacks to reach double figures. Arkansas' most consistent player in Adou Thiero was also held to single digits, scoring just six points. 

Chaz Lanier led all scorers with 29 points for Tennessee. Igor Milicic Jr. (13 points, 18 rebounds) Zakai Zeigler (12 points) and Felix Okpara (10 points) also reached double figures in the win. 

Arkansas and head coach John Calipari must regroup ahead of their home conference opener against No. 24 Ole Miss on Jan. 8. That rivalry matchup will be as close to a must-win game for Arkansas as you can get in your second conference game of the season with the gauntlet of SEC play looming. 

There's no reason for Arkansas to hit the panic button yet, but the Razorbacks will have to grow up quickly in order to become a contender in a stacked Southeastern Conference.