Overall record (SEC): 13-2 (1-0)
AP ranking: 16th
Record against Top 25: 1-2
Best win: Beating Oklahoma State 79-77 in Nashvilles Gaylord Entertainment Center on Dec. 18. It remains the Cowboys only loss of the season.
Worst loss: No bad losses. UTs only two defeats are to Preseason NIT champ Butler (14-1) and top-ranked North Carolina.
Point of attack: Freshman Ramar Smith gives Vols size (6-2, 185), scoring ability and top-notch athleticism. When he plays as he did in Sundays win over Mississippi State 13 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 turnover he can take UT far. But his 46 assists to 39 turnovers on the season suggest a rocky ride.
Reason to believe: Any team with Chris Lofton has a chance come March, since any 30-point night from the possible SEC player of the year (hes had five already this season) could easily advance the Vols in the NCAA tournament.
Reason to doubt: Assuming Pearl sticks with the gifted Smith at the point, Vols will remain vulnerable to inexperience at a position where inexperience can prove fatal.
Prediction: As long as the freshmen continue to mature, Vols should reach the Sweet 16 and possibly the Elite Eight. Anything past that would probably depend on them not facing a No. 1 or 2 seed in the regional final.
Quote: "Well go as far as our legs will carry us." (The Final Four?) "Like I said, well go as far as our legs will carry us."
UT freshman forward Duke Crews after the 92-84 win over Mississippi State.
