Among the notable games on Tuesday’s slate of college basketball is this matchup between a pair of ranked SEC programs. Both Vanderbilt and Arkansas remain in those national rankings despite recent struggles and both teams are certainly looking for a bounce back performance after trouble this past weekend.
Before last week, Vanderbilt (16-2) had been sailing right along on an undefeated start. The Commodores dropped a pair of games last week, really struggling both at Texas and at home against Florida in what became a shootout. Vanderbilt isn’t just hoping to avoid a third-straight loss here but get back on track after showing major cracks on defense in that effort against the Gators.
It’s been an up and down affair for Arkansas (13-5) in recent weeks, though the Razorbacks are coming off a tough effort at Georgia. Each of the last two weekends has seen this team drop double-digit road losses, but John Calipari’s squad hasn’t lost at home this season. They boast a deep team with an electric offense when on their game and it’ll be intriguing to see if they can become more consistent as the year progresses.
Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas: When and Where
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 9:00 pm ET
Location: Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: ESPN
Streaming: FuboTV
Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas: Betting Odds
Spread: Arkansas -1.5, Vanderbilt +1.5
Moneyline: Arkanas -110, Vanderbilt +102
Total: 173.5
Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas: Series History
All-time series: Arkansas leads 31-15
Last meeting: Arkansas 90, Vanderbilt 77 (March 4, 2025)
Projected Starting Lineups
Vanderbilt Commodores
Tyler Tanner (17.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.2 apg)
Duke Miles (17.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.4 apg)
Tyler Nickel (14.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
Devin McGlockton (10.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg)
AK Okereke (8.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
Arkansas Razorbacks
Darius Acuff Jr. (19.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.3 apg)
Trevon Brazile (13.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
Billy Richmond III (8.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
D. J. Wagner (7.8 ppg, 2.7 apg)
Nick Pringle (5.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
The freshman combo at Arkansas of Acuff and Meleek Thomas has been a major reason why the Razorbacks are even in this position. After the way Florida bullied Vanderbilt this past weekend, it reasons to wonder if the Commodores can slow down that combo. Neither team has exactly been shutting people down inside the arc in recent weeks and this might be an opportunity for someone like Brazile or McGlockton to really take charge. Both teams really need this victory and it’s truly anyone’s game in this ranked matchup.
Is a bounce back in order for a Vanderbilt team that looked like a national contender before enduring that awful week of games? Can the Razorbacks’ offense turn it on in their home court again and produce their own bounce back effort?