Tennessee senior Chris Lofton had the NCAA basketball world right where he wanted it.

That is to say, writing him off, no longer referring to him as an All-American and finding clips of other standouts for the highlight shows.

But the past four games - beginning at Kentucky's Rupp Arena - the Vols' reluctant superstar has averaged 23 points on .536 shooting and hit 21 of 41 (.512) of his 3-point attempts.

Florida coach Billy Donovan has noticed. It's a safe bet the Gators will know where Lofton is at all times when the teams meet in the ESPN-televised event at 9 tonight in sold-out Thompson-Boling Arena.

"When you got a guy like that, it's an incredible gift and talent you admire and watch," said Donovan, who is 0-3 against the No. 7 Vols over the past two seasons when Lofton plays. "When you see a guy make shots like that, it's like you want to leave him open because there's a better chance of him missing when he's open.

"He's as good as anybody I've seen at being able to go up, rock back and create space … that's why I've always felt he can play at the next level."

UT's objectives haven't changed. The Vols want to remain balanced, distribute the ball to the open man and avoid taking low-percentage shots.

Many times, that has led to sophomore Tyler Smith emerging as UT's "go-to'' guy in the clutch.

Coach Bruce Pearl slipped twice and referred to Tyler Smith as the team's "best player" while discussing the team's foul troubles in a 76-71 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday night.

Pearl later qualified his remark, explaining the 6-foot-7 Smith's versatility as a scorer, rebounder and passer.

The 6-1 Lofton, an afterthought in the recruiting world coming out of Mason County (Ky.) High School, has worked throughout his career to improve in all of those areas.

But the 2004 Mr. Kentucky Basketball is what he is: a dead-eye, stone-cold shooter.

And still a humble one, at that.

"I haven't played good yet," said Lofton when asked about what appears to be an offensive turnaround. "Seriously, I am not playing that good. I'm making an open shot every now and then. That's it."

Pearl smiled when asked about the re-emergence of the most prolific 3-point shooter in SEC history.

"I think it has to do with that Kentucky game," Pearl said, referring to the Vols' 72-66 loss. "Chris is all about winning and losing, and that night he realized we could get beat without him.

"We're not as good without Chris Lofton scoring, so he started focusing and realized he had to do it or we'd get beat," Pearl said. "That gave him the courage to start hunting his shot again and working harder to get open to get good looks."

Lofton was sidelined with an ankle injury when the Gators beat the Vols 94-78 in Gainesville last season, but he returned in time for the meeting in Knoxville, scoring a game-high 21 points in UT's 86-76 win.

Back then, there was no Tyler Smith to go to in the lane nor J.P. Prince to drive the lane. Jordan Howell had yet to emerge as a legitimate 3-point threat.

Lofton had to score for the Vols to win, and so he did, a league-best 20.8 points per game en route to SEC player of the year honors.

Lofton's current average is up to 15.2 per game, but he's aware it could take more for UT to top Florida in tonight's game.

"Everyone knows how dangerous they are," Lofton said. "Any team with Billy D is going to bring it.

"They'll be ready to play, and we'll have our hands full with them."

If Lofton continues his hot streak - he's averaged five 3-pointers per game over the past five games - opponents will have their hands full.

There's an outside chance Lofton could break the NCAA's all-time record for 3-pointers. He's 75 away from passing the mark (457) held by former Duke standout J.J. Redick.

"I don't even think Chris would be aware of that," Pearl said. "But the best way for him to do it would be to play more games."

That means advancing in the SEC and NCAA tournaments.

And that means winning, which is ultimately what Lofton is all about, All-American status and highlights be damned.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.