On the surface, Lee Humphrey hasn't changed.

He's still the same humble, aw-shucks kid from Maryville.

He's still the flick-of-the-wrist, 3-point-shooting kid who rewrote the basketball record books at Maryville High School a few years back.

The 6-foot-2 shooting guard won't intimidate anybody with his Opie Taylor, baby-face looks or his laid-back demeanor.

Just put a basketball in his hands. That's where Humphrey earns his respect.

He hasn't changed.

It's his role with No. 2-ranked Florida (17-0, 3-0 SEC) that has intensified.

"He's as good a shooter as anyone I've coached since I've been here," Florida coach Billy Donovan said of Humphrey earlier this season. "He can line up and shoot with anybody in the United States of America."

How's that for praise? How's that for pressure?

Humphrey gets his third career "Welcome Home" tour as the Florida junior brings his unbeaten teammates to Thompson-Boling Arena at 7 tonight to face off with Tennessee (11-3, 2-1).

The Gators are off to their best start in school history and one of the reasons why is Humphrey.

He leads the SEC in 3-point accuracy, and it isn't even close. He's hitting 51.9 percent (56 of 108). That's good enough for second in the nation, behind only Indiana sophomore guard Robert Vaden.

For perspective, Tennessee sophomore guard Chris Lofton is No. 20 in the country (46 of 101 for 45.5 percent).

"The first two years (Lee) was more of a role player," Donovan said. "He played behind Matt Walsh and behind Anthony Roberson as kind of the third guard.

"The biggest thing I tried to do with Lee (this year) is give him confidence to be a lot more aggressive on the offensive end."

Shoot it was Donovan's advice.

"There was one time when Coach took us out to dinner (after SEC Media Days) and he told me he only used to shoot the ball when his hands touched leather," Humphrey said.

Donovan's message was pretty obvious -- Don't go crazy like me. Don't shoot every time you touch it, but turn up the aggressiveness a notch.

Message received.

Humphrey has started every game, playing about 30 minutes every time out, and he's averaging 11.5 points.

He has been in double figures 11 times and had a season high 18 points a couple of weeks ago against Georgia.

"I came into the year with the mindset of really looking for my shot," Humphrey said. "I'm looking for chances to penetrate and get other guys shots. I think for the most part this year I've done a good job of that."

Donovan would agree. He sees the improvement.

"One thing he has been able to do a little better job of is putting the ball on the floor to get to the rim or the pull-up jump shot, along with being able to shoot the ball," Donovan said. "One thing he doesn't get enough credit for is he is our most consistent and disciplined defender on the perimeter, with his focus and the way he moves his feet."

He'll need that focus tonight when he goes up against UT's guard tandem of Lofton and C.J. Watson.

Humphrey still follows the Vols.

It's no secret he wanted to come to UT, but when former coach Buzz Peterson went a different direction, Donovan wasted no time swooping in to make Humphrey an offer.

"I try to keep up with Tennessee, and with my dad being right there (Maryville Middle School basketball coach Tony Humphrey), it makes it pretty easy," Humphrey said.

"It seems like they really play hard, play the game the right way, they press a lot and they're having a great year. It's going to be a really tough game."

Humphrey made sure he was in front of the TV when the Vols upset Texas on the road earlier this season.

"They looked awesome in that game," he said. "They shot the three well, played defense, got a lot of steals, got up and down the floor.

"They're such a dangerous 3-point-shooting team that they can beat anybody in the country."

Humphrey knows that includes his Gators. He just can't wait to get home and show everyone he's the same silky smooth shooter they remember.

"It's probably one of the most-fun road trips of the year for me because I live 20 minutes away from Knoxville," he said. "I know a lot of the Maryville crowd will be there.

"I'm just going to try and put on a good show for the hometown crowd."