Arkansas and Tennessee don't have a lot in common in terms of basketball heritage, but there is this:

The Razorbacks and the Vols share the SEC's longest absence from setting their sneakers on the court in an NCAA tournament game.

Starting in 1977, Arkansas played in 22 of the next 25 NCAA tourneys. But, as coach Stan Heath is probably reminded every day of his life in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks haven't been dancing since 2001, the same year the Vols turned in a one-and-done in Dayton.

The 2006 bracket will be revealed March 12 and Tennessee will be in it. This we know.

As for the Hogs? Maybe. Probably.

They're 18-8, 7-6 SEC, with an RPI in the low 50s. If they beat the Vols today at Thompson-Boling Arena, make it a nearly done deal.

"I think if we win a game like that, we should be in the NCAA tournament,'' said Heath, "regardless of what happens after that.''

What happens after today is home against Mississippi State and a winnable visit to Georgia.

The hitch is that while any visit anywhere has been winnable, the Razorbacks haven't been winning them.

They won at Auburn, but their other five SEC road trips are all in the "L" column -- by a combined total of 11 points.

So what the Vols have got on their hands today is a dangerous opponent with a ton of motivation.

And momentum.

Prior to home wins over Florida and Alabama in the past week, Arkansas was an NIT lock. Home game against, say, Bradley.

Now the Razorbacks are very much back in the NCAA picture. And a win over the Vols would bring that picture into focus.

Drive Chart: Give Heath credit for figuring out what the Razorbacks do best.

After getting hammered at the free-throw line in a loss at Alabama on Jan. 18, Heath issued a drive-or-bust edict.

In the nine games since, Arkansas has shot a combined 74 more free throws than its opponents.

They shot 42 free throws to Florida's 20, 40 to Ole Miss' 28.

Arkansas has shot 308 free throws in SEC play, most in the league. UT ranks third at 271.

Bottom line, the Vols can look for Ronnie Brewer and Jonathan Modica to take it to the hole and get to the line.

Rollin' With Nolan: UT's Bruce Pearl holds a soft spot for former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson.

When Pearl was small potatoes at Division II Southern Indiana, he still got an invite to Richardson's popular golf tournament and a chance to mingle with the game's big shots.

"I don't think Coach Richardson cared about your status, how many wins you had or the color your skin,'' said Pearl. "He was one of the first big-time coaches out there that showed me a little bit of love as a D2 head coach.''

Lofton and History: Chris Lofton's 3-point shooting begs some historical context.

If the sophomore's career ended before today's tip-off, he would go in the record book as the most accurate 3-point shooter in SEC history (minimum 300 attempts).

Lofton is 189-402 beyond the arc -- and he presumably is nearing the halfway point of his career. That computes to 47.0 percent. The SEC record (300 attempts) is 45.9 percent by none other than Jefferson Pilot broadcaster Barry Booker. The 3-point shot was instituted in 1986-87, following Booker's freshman year at Vanderbilt. He hit 246 of 535 attempts.

As for the season record, Lofton better heat up. He's at 47.5 percent; Travis Ford of Kentucky hit 52.9 percent in 1993. Jon Higgins' UT record is 48.6 percent (53-of-109) in 2000-01.

Lofton has 96 treys this year, with at least five games to play. Allan Houston holds the UT season mark with 99.

The SEC season record is 117 by South Carolina's Jamel Bradley in 2001-02. Bradley played in 37 games that year. If Lofton maintains his season average of 4.0 treys per game, he'll be at the threshold.

"That kid is special,'' said Arkansas' Heath. "He in a lot of ways is the MVP of the league.''

Noah Update: Florida's Joakim Noah is questionable for Alabama on Saturday after undergoing oral surgery early Thursday.

Noah lost a front tooth Wednesday night after being elbowed by C.J. Watson and missed the final 1:50 of UT's 76-72 win over the Gators.

"I love the passion and energy he plays with,'' said Pearl. "He's a one-man press.''

Noah had five steals against UT in addition to his 20 points, nine boards and five blocks.

All-District: Lofton made first-team All-District 7 on the National Association of Basketball Coaches honors list. Watson made second-team. The other first-teamers are Rodney Carney of Memphis, Taquan Dean of Louisville, Rajon Rondo of Kentucky and Anthony Winchester of Western Kentucky.