Jordan Howell's first career start won't be his last.

Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl doesn't carve his starting lineups in granite, but he doesn't use a pencil with an eraser either.

So moving Howell into the starting lineup ahead of Ramar Smith at point guard Monday night at Louisiana-Lafayette wasn't a move Pearl made lightly.

The results - a 77-67 UT victory - warrant sticking with Howell when Murray State visits the Vols on Friday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.

"I think it worked out real well,'' Pearl said Tuesday. "I don't like to flip-flop guys but I thought we needed to accomplish two things.

"One, we needed to take care of the basketball better. The other we just needed better point-guard play, period.''

Howell, a junior, played 30 minutes at ULL in the first start of his career. He had played 20 minutes off the bench in both of UT's losses in the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament last week in New York.

His previous career-high was 14 minutes, two times last season in relief of starter C.J. Watson.

Smith, a freshman, opened the season starting. However, he has struggled to adapt to running the team. Smith played 10 minutes at ULL.

"Ramar has to improve his handle,'' Pearl said. "It's almost unfair to him. Usually he's been on the receiving end of fast breaks and now he's being asked to initiate it, which is different.''

Smith has 20 turnovers and 17 assists as UT is off to a 5-2 start. Howell has 13 assists and five turnovers.

"Jordan did an excellent job picking up the tempo and we advanced the ball down the floor better,'' Pearl said. "We execute better because of his experience and understanding.''

Pearl credited Howell with getting stronger in the offseason and improving himself as a defender.

Howell is a better outside shooter than Smith, though both are struggling early this season. Smith's offensive strength is breaking down defenders and driving to the basket.

Smith is averaging 3.7 points a game, Howell 2.7.

Pearl said Smith handled his demotion well.

"He really tried to step up his defense,'' Pearl said. "He only got scored on one time. I think he's trying. It's not lack of focus.

"I don't say this as a complaint, but as a fact: In the framework of all our players, Ramar is capable of playing much better than he is and I know that's got to be frustrating for him.''

Racers Next: Murray State was 2-4 going into Tuesday night's game at Illinois-Chicago.

The Vols will play six of their next seven games in Thompson-Boling Arena. The only exception is the Dec. 18 game in Nashville against Oklahoma State.