With visions of trifectas and mint juleps dancing in my head, here are the basketball topics holding my interest this week.

It was announced yesterday the the basketball Vols will play in the 2008 Old Spice Classic on Thanksgiving weekend. Teams participating include Georgetown, Gonzaga, Maryland, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Siena, Tennessee and Wichita State.

Two more former Vols were selected on the second day of the 2008 NFL Draft on Sunday raising the final tally to three. Tight end Brad Cottam was taken by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round with the 76th overall selection and quarterback Erik Ainge was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round with the 162nd overall pick.

Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo, who decided to forego his senior season at Tennessee, was selected with the tenth overall pick in Saturday’s NFL draft by the New England Patriots. The position was a bit surprising since he had initially been given a second or third round grade by the NFL draft’s advisory committee.

As I am busy cleansing my system ahead of next weekend’s celebration of debauchery, otherwise known as the Kentucky Derby, here are the hoop happenings that have my attention.

Last week, as you could probably tell, I was a little perturbed at the prospect of having to go thru another off season wondering what will come of our beloved football team this upcoming season. That didn’t get any better when I listened to resident experts Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstriet call us a “non factor” for the 2008 SEC East race.

I don’t believe it comes as a huge surprise to anyone but the VolNation can breathe a bit easier as Tyler Smith has officially announced that he will return to Tennessee for his junior season.

Another round of spring ball has sprung and arduous wait for the fall has begun. Now Vol fans across the country are forced to brace themselves for high temperatures, summer gas prices, and the anticipation of what might be once the ball is kicked off in September. While there are a myriad of questions that will remain unanswered until then, the Volnation has one thing to look forward to. For the first time in two years there are some legitimate playmakers on both sides of the ball.

On Wednesday Daniel West signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Tennessee next season. West, a point guard from Saginaw, MI, will join early signees Philip Jurick and Renaldo Woolridge in the Vols 2009 class. Scotty Hopson is expected to complete the class when he signs next week.

With a huge celebratory weekend in Knoxville on the horizon, here are the topics that intrigue the Trap this week: