Chuck Benson, known as a tireless recruiter, is taking the same approach with his job description.

At least for the next few weeks, he's the man in charge of the Tennessee men's basketball program.

"I'm doing exactly what (UT athletic director) Mike Hamilton wanted me to do, and that's manage all aspects of the program," Benson said Thursday. "Our major focus right now is the guys who are here and taking care of them.

"We're supporting the players, giving them direction and making sure they're taking care of their day-to-day responsibilities."

A wait-and-see approach is the only option available at UT as its search firm - Champ Search of Los Angeles - and Hamilton have narrowed a list of candidates to a top 10.

Word continues to spread that Jeff Lebo of Auburn is one of the primary targets. Lebo has been quiet on the subject.

The former Tennessee Tech and Chattanooga coach was one of the finalists for UT's opening four years ago. Buzz Peterson got the job, but was fired last Sunday.

Lebo still hasn't signed a contract after one season at Auburn and could be interested in exploring the Vols again.

Attempts to reach Lebo have been unsuccessful.

Bruce Pearl of Milwaukee-Wisconsin may have moved his name up on UT's list with Thursday's first-round NCAA tournament victory against Alabama.

Another coach who could receive a look is Mark Turgeon of Wichita State, who once was an assistant under former UT coach Jerry Green at Oregon.

Mike Anderson of Alabama-Birmingham will likely be more appealing after beating LSU in the NCAA tournament on Thursday.

Bobby Knight of Texas Tech, Frank Haith of Miami and Bobby Lutz of Charlotte have already been contacted by Champ Search, sources have told the News Sentinel.

Hamilton and associate athletic director John Currie returned from Dallas on Wednesday after meeting for two days with Champ Search boss Cedric Dempsey, a former NCAA president.

As for Benson, he is just going about his hectic schedule awaiting news on his new boss.

He's the only survivor of UT's assistant coaches after Hamilton chose to take the program in a new direction with the Peterson's dismissal.

Since then, Benson admits he has been too busy to even concern himself with Tennessee's search for its next coach.

Tennessee players, recruits and Benson are as eager as everyone else to find out in what direction Vols' basketball is heading.

"Our players have been very conscientious through all of this," he said. "Our office staff has been very helpful throughout this time.

"We're just trying to create as stable an environment as possible."

And Benson definitely isn't forgetting about his forte - recruiting.

"I've basically been staying in contact with our players, talking to them two or three times a day, and then I get out and do some recruiting," he said.

Benson was on his way to Murfreesboro to watch some of the state's best high school players on Thursday.

Willie Kemp, point guard at Bolivar, is one of the state's premier junior recruits and scored 14 points with seven assists and two steals in an 81-46 victory against Sullivan Central.

A lot of people think Kemp would be the natural heir apparent to UT's point guard spot when C.J. Watson graduates.

The Class AA Mr. Basketball finalist said Peterson's departure from UT hasn't soured him on the Vols.

"That doesn't really make anything different," Kemp said Thursday. "I just like Tennessee. I like the program."

He lists UT, Kentucky, Arkansas and Georgia Tech as his top four options.

Benson also stays in contact with the Vols' signees - Tyler Smith of Giles County, Matthew Dotson of Hickman County and Damion Harris of Prince Avenue Prep (S.C.).

"For all those guys, it's a tough time for me as well," Benson said. "But they're just waiting to see how this plays out and they'll make decisions then."