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Tyler Smith expected to stay a Vol; will say today

By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 04:33 p.m., April 23, 2008
Updated 01:28 a.m., April 23, 2008

One Smith has moved on, one Smith is staying, and now comes the Ty-breaker among the Smiths who played on the record-setting Tennessee men's basketball team.

Tyler Smith, who along with departing senior JaJuan Smith and junior Ramar Smith made up the self-styled "Smith Boyz'' on the Vols' 31-win 2007-08 team, will announce his plans for the upcoming season at a 10 o'clock press conference this morning.

Tyler Smith is expected to announce he'll return for his junior season, but UT coach Bruce Pearl said Wednesday he wasn't aware any final decision had been made.

"I can tell you it's something he's given a great deal of thought to,'' Pearl said. "We've had a number of in-depth discussions. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration. This looks to be one of the strongest drafts in a long time; an unprecedented number of underclassmen have come out, and every day that changes the situations.''

The 6-foot-7 Smith averaged 13.6 points per game and led the Vols in rebounds and assists playing primarily at the power forward position last season.

Tyler Smith is projected to go 28th in the first round by insidehoops.com, but neither mynbadraft.com nor draftexpress.com have him projected as a first-round pick in the June draft.

"I know I'm going to be holding my breath hoping he comes back,'' UT associate head coach Tony Jones said. "Tyler means everything to next year's team. How many times did he make the big shot to win games during the SEC championship season?''

Enough to become an instant fan favorite in Knoxville.

Tyler Smith's warmth and personality was a paradox from his tough, tattooed and muscular appearance.

Former Vol Jordan Howell said Smith was just as popular with his teammates as the fans.

"Tyler will be a great pro whenever he decides to leave,'' Howell said. "If he decides to come back, he'll be the team leader, because has that type of personality.''

Howell said JaJuan Smith was the vocal leader on most occasions this season, and everyone respected Chris Lofton's work ethic and desire to win.

Tyler Smith was a combination of the two at different times.

"Tyler can be vocal when he needs to,'' Howell said. "When Tyler needed to step up in crunch time, he was in the huddles talking to everyone.

"I can't wait to tell my grandkids I played with him.''

UT fans are hoping the Vols' incoming four freshmen will be able to do the same.

Tyler Smith has said he will return if not projected to go in the top 15 picks of the first round of this year's draft.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       36 Comments

Posted by bigbluevol on April 23, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow...could be two straight days of great news for Tennessee basketball. Come back Tyler!

Posted by robvols on April 23, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And more for Memphis fan not to face reality and the truth.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 23, 2008 at 4:52 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by knoxnewsuser on April 23, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think he is coming back. This year's draft is getting a bit loaded with Augustin announcing he is gone, the entire UCLA team leaving, and many more.

Posted by bshell12 on April 23, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler your a great player, but your not ready for the NBA....come back work on your outside game and defense and make Tennessee a national championship favorite!!!!

Posted by volchamp on April 23, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

with the entire Memphis starting 5 entering in the draft, Kansas, UCLA, Texas, and other, this draft is loaded. I think he could go but it would be better to come back with the guys we have and the others we have coming in.

Posted by marc_ash on April 23, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No if's and's or but's about it...he will return.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 23, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where's DSaVol with the inside scoop when we need him?

Posted by Volunteerfan on April 23, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope all of you are right, but it will be hard for him to turn the green stuff down

Posted by smitbo7 on April 23, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He's not going anywhere. Tyler will announce tomorrow that he is All-Vol.

Posted by Volchaz on April 23, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He's going to come back, he realizes how much his stock will shoot up if we do something special next year.

Posted by marc_ash on April 23, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think he realizes how deep the draft is going to be this season. With some new names hitting the wire in the past week or 2, he probably has dropped a bit. Should be an exciting time to be a Vol fan this year.

Chaz, get back with me on football tickets...the deadline is the 30th.

Posted by kdt0725 on April 23, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Am dying for him to stay, but can't blame him if he goes. He's had a lot of things happen to him this year and if his family needs the money, you can't blame him at all.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 23, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IBleedOrange444 - good one! you been hanging around me and Kingsportvol too long. LOL.

Posted by Chainsaw on April 23, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stay stay stay!

Posted by overatedvols on April 23, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stop being so dramatic and just leave. The European teams are waiting.

Posted by budrhon on April 23, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Folks most of these kids such as Tyler and the two Memphis kids Dozier and Anderson are only entering to be evaluated to see what they need to work on next season to raise their Draft status. No different than when you interned at a major Corporation while still in school. As long as he doesn't sign with an agent chances are he'll return, but if there is a chance to make money and be picked in the late first round (which some sites have him) then it's see ya later VolNation, hello Association.

Posted by dcvolfan98 on April 23, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And here I thought this "overated" guy was claiming to be neutral... Go figure. I say sheep in wolf's clothing.

Posted by dcvolfan98 on April 23, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Aww rats... If I'm going to use an expression... I might as well get it right the first time: wolf in shee's clothing... Sheesh. It's been a long day.

Posted by pdhuff on April 23, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gen Fritter _ I always liked the "Thought I was dancin' till someone stepped on my hand". LOL

Posted by dvols on April 23, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i'm holding a press conference also.

Tommorrow I will go to work!

Thanks.

Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 23, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! Everyone is very positive. Do you really think he will schedule a conference to say he is staying though? I know Peyton did it, but his was a bigger deal because he was legit ready to go number 1 after his junior year.

I hate to be the sand in the Vaseline, but I think this doesn't sound good. Hope he stays.

Posted by robvolnc on April 23, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CBS sports reports that he will NOT go pro and that he was projected to be picked in the 20's
YES!!!

Posted by cjraney on April 23, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nicksjuzunk-
At first glance I would agree with you regarding a press conf, but nowadays doesn't everybody like to hold a presser if they know somebody will show up?
I'll understand either way, but I think he's leaving a few mil on the table if he comes out.

Tyler, stay another year and win another SEC title.

Posted by UTfan4life on April 23, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler stay 1-2 more years be a top 15 pick and help the vols, make it past the sweet 16.. either choice you make UT always has your back...
GO VOLS!

Posted by cdldoc on April 23, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A press conference. I would more impressed if just "announced this thru the coach. So much self importance among athletes today. I want to hold a press conference to announce that I am not qualified yet to earn 10 million dollars next year. Or, maybe that's not necessary?

Posted by Colliervol on April 23, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope Tyler sticks around. By all accounts, next year's draft won't be near as deep as this one appears to be. Another year of work on his outside shooting and ball handling and he should be a much higher pick.

Posted by pmidude56 on April 23, 2008 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler's coming back...YES!! (I hope)

Posted by Bigger_Al on April 23, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

T-Bone - I'm with you either way. I'll either watch every move you make with the Vols next year, or I'll check the Sunday paper for an update on how you're doing in the NBA.

Posted by LazhilUT on April 23, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Overrated is a guy that wishes UT had accepted him, but had to settle for less.
He wishes Memphis was UT but had to settle with buildings smelling like piss in the summer because their own students pissed on the A/C filters and Memphis being so hot in the summer the couldn't turn it off until summer classes were over (classic!)...
Go watch your other athletics team win something...oh wait...the basketball team is the only one that wins, the CUSA, and then chokes when the can win for real...leave.

Posted by imwithphilly on April 24, 2008 at 5:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wanna win a national championship!!!

Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 24, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dear all,

Please come to my own press conference being held at my house in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at 2:00 pm. tomorrow.

I would like to announce that I will be forgoing my trip to the dentist on Thursday. That fella plopped on out all by itself!

Posted by Basketball_Jones on April 24, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anderson and Dozier can come back for Memphis, they had their shot this year and choked it away. Great job UM, you know who is kicking himself in the ass at Memphis....Willie Kemp. Ever since he went to Memphis high he has been a bust. He is 0-2 vs Tennessee, lost his starting job his sophmore year and will not start again this year....

Posted by tngeoff on April 24, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Very...very impressive young man. Glad to have him back!

Posted by rckydx on April 24, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

overrated, we're going to let Memphis into the SEC North.

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