LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Danny Ainge has kept an eye on the Tennessee Vols the past two years.

But that was because of the football team, on which his nephew, Erik, has been an off-and-on again starter at quarterback.

Tuesday night, however, Danny Ainge was at Rupp Arena watching the Vols' basketball team in an official capacity.

Ainge, who played 14 years in the NBA and now serves as the executive director of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, scouted the UT-Kentucky game.

"I've been impressed with Coach (Bruce) Pearl,'' said Ainge, who in 1981 was recognized as the nation's top collegiate basketball player by winning the John Wooden Award while at BYU. "This (Tennessee) team has a chance to be a Final Four contender.''

Ainge, who also coached in the NBA, said the Vols have "two fantastic guards (Chris Lofton and C.J. Watson),'' and he "loves Dane Bradshaw, because he's the heart and soul of the team.''

Pearl chatted with Ainge prior to tip off, breaking down Watson's strengths and weaknesses.

Ainge said he didn't know if Tennessee had any potential NBA players on its roster, but he believes the Vols' system is conducive to producing professional players.

"You can see what players are capable of doing in Coach Pearl's system,'' Ainge said. "It's a good stepping stone to the NBA.''

Ainge watched every UT football game on TV or TiVo over the past two years, and he remains confident his nephew made the right decision in choosing the Vols.

"Erik's sub-par performance last year will only drive him to work harder for more success,'' said Danny Ainge. "To succeed in any sport, it takes confidence and rhythm. No quarterback can be successful without confidence and rhythm, and that's why there was inconsistency with both (UT) quarterbacks last season.''