Blog Analysis
From Giles County to a Virginia prep school, to Iowa, to Knoxville, Tyler Smith has been on the move for four years. He’s decided to stay put for a while.
Confirming Thursday that he will not pursue the NBA draft, Smith will return to the University of Tennessee basketball team for his junior year.
“It just came down to me being able to stay in a place longer than six or seven months,’’ Smith said. “I’m finally in a place where I enjoy my life.’’
Not that he wouldn’t have enjoyed being a lottery pick in the June 26 NBA draft.
Smith and UT coach Bruce Pearl said their best evaluation of Smith’s prospects left him in a questionable position as to whether he was assured of making a team.
“If you can be in the top two-thirds of the first round, anyplace in there would be a no-brainer,’’ said Pearl. “Anything less than that, you get gray.
“And as Jerry West says, it’s not getting in the league, it’s staying in the league.’’
Several mock drafts project Smith in the lower portion of the first round. By developing his game in another college season, he should enter the 2009 in a stronger position.
The 6-foot-7 Smith plans to improve his perimeter shooting and ball-handling and expects to play more away from the basket at UT in 2008-09.
“As far as the college level,’’ Pearl said, “Tyler is good enough to compete for the SEC player of the year and be a first-team All-American. These are goals he’s set forward.
“But to get drafted in a position where his success is assured, he’s got even more work to do.’’
Smith said he finalized his decision earlier this week.
At one point, he said he planned to declare himself available to be drafted but would not have forfeited his remaining college eligibility by hiring an agent.
But underclassmen continued to enter the draft — 38 so far — and Smith began to see the positives of staying at UT this summer and working on his skills.
“There’s a benefit to me just being able to work all summer on something I need to improve on and don’t have in my game yet,’’ he said.
Underclassmen have until June 16 to withdraw from the draft, as long as they haven’t signed with an agent. Until that deadline, they can work out for pro teams and attend pre-draft camps.
“Tyler would work out well,’’ Pearl said. “He would work his way up the draft. But how many spots would he need to climb to get himself in the first round where it made sense for him to come out?
“The past three years have been a whirlwind for Tyler. He’s just not been able to settle in anywhere and get in the weight room and get in the gym as he is going to now.’’
Smith’s return solidifies UT’s credentials to compete for the SEC title again, even without departed starting guards Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith.
“I told Tyler, ‘We’re going to be good without you, don’t do this for us,’ ’’ Pearl said.
“Now, can we be championship good without Tyler? It would be more difficult.’’
Smith relishes the opportunity to get minutes away from the basket at a wing, saying, “That’s what I’ll be in the NBA.’’
Pearl said the style of the 2008-09 team will be determined in summer and fall workouts, depending on how front-court and perimeter players develop.
But Smith’s presence will be a plus for everyone.
“Chris Lofton was inspirational to us the way he trained and led by example,’’ Pearl said. “Tyler Smith will be inspirational to us for the way he trains and the way he leads his life.
“Tyler will be our leader now. This is going to be his team.’’
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.
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Comments » 107
knoxtenor writes:
YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!
Lofton4Three writes:
Two great days of news on Rocky Top!
MOOREVOLS writes:
Top ten ranking and a good shot at the Final Four. Yes!!!
volguy40 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
amyslins writes:
moorevols....DO NOT jump to conclusions already. i remember last year how great we thought we were going to be. and, we did do good, but we couldn't make it past the sweet 16 still. and last year was based on reliable players who have already played at the college level. let's not jump to the final four yet. all i would say is let's work out butts off and prove that we belong this year!
MOOREVOLS writes:
amyslins -- I'm just saying we have a "good shot" at the Final Four. That's all. I know our guard play will have to be better for us to get get there. I think we will be ranked in the top 10 pre-season though. Maybe top 5. Maybe. I'm just glad we get to talk about this and actually have a good chance of it happening.
overatedvols writes:
So, NBA didn't want him.
londonvol writes:
Prudent business decision
bigbluevol writes:
Maybe oveRated, but they also might not want CDR (his stock is slipping) and I'm sure they won't want those clowns Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier and Dorsey (who's got no place left to go).
Maryvillemancan writes:
amyslins....."we did good"? a #1 ranking for the first time in school history, 31 wins, and making the sweet 16..unless you forget this is UT and that is an awesome year. You're right, we need to make some changes! Bruce cannot win the big games lets run him out of town and get someone who can help us have a "great season" instead of last years mediocre season. Terrible!
rockytop#413695 writes:
No overated, they want you..... to clean their toilets. You probably would go 2nd round in that draft. Your just pissed cause Tyler's going to help us beat your boys again this year.
hollywood44#231829 writes:
Now if we could only find a fifth year of eligibility for J Smith. (sigh)
tuckepk writes:
volguy40--just so you know, I suggested removal of your post because it is obscene. This is not the place to dump your garbage. As a UT grad and long-time Vols fan, I believe that Billy Donovan runs a clean program and that he and UF have been good for the SEC and UT. Yes, UF has some low class posters on this site (see overated, et al), but so does UT. Don't judge an organization by its low class hangers on. Glad Tyler is staying and hope it works out well for him and the Vols.
shocker0042#634184 writes:
Overated... how many times are you going to say your leaving before actually doing so. I think ive read 4 or 5 posts of yours saying you were leaving... Please dont let the door hit you in the a** on the way out.
shocker0042#634184 writes:
Overated... how many times are you going to say your leaving before actually doing so. I think ive read 4 or 5 posts of yours saying you were leaving... Please dont let the door hit you in the a** on the way out.
VolStuckInOrlando writes:
Awesome news...even if we dont make the Final Four, it will be an exciting and explosive team. I will enjoy watchin this tandem run roughshod over the SEC and Tiger High.
Hey overated, maybe you could get drafted to be the dolt who runs grease through Caliparis hair. You and your team make me giggle...cant wait to blow the kittens doors off at TBA this season.
TooLegit2Quit writes:
Yes, next year is just looking better and better!!
2000man writes:
This team can go back-to-back SEC Champs if it can find someone to knock down outside shots.
McMinnVol writes:
Two day of great news. For the first time in my 30 years of being a Vol fan, I am more excited and optimistic about the future of the basketball team than the football team. Go Vols!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Oh, happy day! With many of the other national powers being depleted by graduations and early departures, we should be at least a pre-season Top-10. If the influx of new talent, especially Hopson and West, and the return of our single greatest star doesn't get everybody working out with a will this off-season, I don't know what will. If Ramar develops a shot, Chism develops another low-post move or two, Crews develops ANY consistent way to score, and JP makes a full recovery--and none of these requires any giant leap of faith--we will be LOADED next year. I can hardly wait!
TK writes:
Welcome back Tyler! With the number of returning post players. I hope UT uses Tyler more on the outside to showcase his skills.
volguy40 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Mr_Bandman writes:
Can someone get Bruce to sit down with Eric Berry....
amyslins writes:
maryvillemancan....yes we did good. i do not consider being number one for three days great. and then we go into the sec tournament and lose and take a close game against butler. do not forget not showing up for louisville in the sweet 16. i am a die-hard fan like the rest on this. but, now that we are a good team, i want to see greatness. we have had our taste of good, i want to taste great and want to go to the final four. but, like last year, we are already jumping to conclusions on here. there are too many questions going into this year that we need to establish first before we crown the vols sec champs and as well going to the final four
tuckepk writes:
volguy40--try to find your post from 10:25 AM. Looks like somebody else agreed--
From govolsextra:
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volboy81#211803 writes:
things look good in Big Orange Country!
volguy40 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
volguy40 writes:
TUCK...and me being a lifelong...diehard VOLS fan....to strip my post cuz i said something derogatory bout FLORIDA????/ Is that not part of the Tennessee message board?..the right of passage?..to hate and despise Fla...Memphis...Bama..and who else we want...you are a lil holier than thou arent ya...?anyway..sorry if I offended any Vol fans for saying I didnt care for Fla....lmao...wowwwwwwww
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
making giles co. proud .
auttat writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
jamescc76#207782 writes:
You're my boy, Blue!
volguy40 writes:
auttat....I hear ya ......guess i got some peoples mangina panties in a wad....im sure you will have that post deleted as well....just thought it was a known fact to hate the gators and tide.....
utvolz#637682 writes:
Smart decision Tyler. It's great to have you back for another great year of UT Basketball!
Frank in Memphis
overatedvols writes:
You offended me also Volguy40. I like Florida. Please stop with the derogatory comments. If you can't somehthing nice then......
volguy40 writes:
overated.....then go to the gator boards...lol.....
VolStuckInOrlando writes:
Volguy, Im with you.
Who cares about respect and dignity when it comes to our rivals? Ask them and they will tell you how much respect they have for us. Zero. So save the podium thumping and preaching for your kids. I reserve the right to be a hater, especially when Im surrounded by a sea of blue and orange in Otown.
Volguy, I can feel your hatred. And I love it.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Poor little auttat is getting his posts removed! LOL!!!!!
volguy40 writes:
Thanks Orlando...I just find it funny that on my Tennessee Vols site...I get thumped for hating Florida....just amazing to me....Go Vols.....PERIOD...and if the non vol fans dont like it....just toggle on outta here....thanks for stopping by...but ya gotta go
Smokey91 writes:
Great news knowing Tyler is coming back. I predict at least 25 wins and at list another trip to the Sweet 16. For those of us who have suffered through the many years of disappointing basketball seasons, three Sweet 16 in a row will be huge. Anything beyond that will be a wonderful surprize. GO VOLS!!!
rockytopron writes:
Great news to hear. I'm looking forward to tip off yet again!
MrBamSeydu writes:
overatedvols: Didn't we beat Memphis State on your home court? I also thought I saw you guys lose to Kansas in the championship game, right? Sooo where do you have bragging rights?? That you guys finished second and we finished in the top 10? Who really cares, 2nd is just the 1st loser!!
I can't wait to see you be non-existent on these message boards the day after we play you guys in Knoxville next season. You do realize you're going to get drilled right????
MrBamSeydu writes:
PS - I'm really looking forward to football season too, how about you?? Ooooh that's right, you only have one sport at Memphis and THAT team just gets beat by a football school in Knoxville.
Yeah, way to go buddy!
overatedvols writes:
yemmustdarb, Who is Memphis State? I'm not familiar. I thought you finished tied for 16th place
dirtdobber1 writes:
BINGO!
auttat writes:
I wonder who has the distinction of removing posts from this site? Is it a full-time gig?
Workin, when you get banned, who notifies you?
Tenn_Dawg writes:
The UT BB team is going to be scary good next year.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
I don't get banned. LOL!!!!!
indianacurly writes:
overated -
here's a mild critique of your most recent post, you da half-wit. strictly according to the tourney results, 1 team finished 65th, 32 finished tied for 33rd place, 16 tied for 17th, 8 for 9th, 4 that tied for 5th, 2 for 3rd, etc. we would be among the 8. i know it may be a tall order for you, but try to form an intelligent, coherent thought before posting ... would you prefer tiger high?
FishTacos writes:
Vols will be Ballin' outa' control!
VOLS85 writes:
Hahahaha, Memphis State only lost their starting five, but good luck next year...
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