JaJuan Smith isn't bitter. Just motivated.

East Tennessee State was late recruiting him out of McMinn County High School. Tennessee Tech didn't recruit him at all.

Smith, a junior guard at Tennessee, scored a career-high 23 points Thursday night in a victory over Tennessee Tech and matched it with 23 points in Saturday night's 93-88 win over East Tennessee State in Thompson-Boling Arena.

"I use it as motivation," Smith said, "because a lot of teams we play didn't recruit me. I just try to use it as motivation and come out and play hard and show them they could have had a hard-worker on their team."

Smith emerged as one of the SEC's top sixth men last season, averaging 9.5 points and 3.1 rebounds.

He has started all 13 games this season.

Against East Tennessee State, Smith scored the Vols' first 11 points.

He hit a 3-point shot from the left wing.

He hit a 3 from the left corner.

He hit two foul shots.

He hit a 3 from the top of the key. Bang. Tennessee led 11-2.

"My teammates were getting me open shots and I was feeling it," Smith said. "I've got to give them credit. When my team was driving and (the Bucs) were dropping down on them, they were just giving me the ball."

Smith spent much of the first half with two fouls and only played nine minutes.

With East Tennessee State thinking upset after halftime, Smith sparked a Vols' rally.

The Bucs led 58-52 with 15:20 to play.

Tennessee went on an 11-0 run with Smith scoring seven points. He scored on the break, hit a 3 from the left side, and made a tip-in.

"I was in the right spots at the right time for a few of them in the second half, on the tip and the (two foul shots)," Smith said. "It was just basketball."

Just the reason he came to Tennessee.

He spent his career at McMinn County largely under the recruiting radar. The Vols and former coach Buzz Peterson offered him late during his senior year at McMinn County.

Smith said East Tennessee State called shortly after he committed to UT.

"It was last minute," Smith said. "I'd say three weeks before graduation."

Smith can't explain why he went unnoticed at McMinn County. He laughs about it now.

"I really don't know," he said. "I wish you would find that out for me."