The Tennessee men's basketball team is off to its best start at 21-2 and 8-1 in the SEC and brings a 28-game home-court win streak into tonight's game with Arkansas.

The Vols, however, have a ways to go before they can fulfill their SEC tournament and Final Four ambitions.

Here's an evaluation of UT, position by position:

CENTER: C+

Wayne Chism, Duke Crews, Brian Williams

Coach Bruce Pearl has harped on the Vols' inability to score efficiently near the basket. Chism, who as the starter carries the biggest burden, has stepped up his rebounding and defense in SEC play, but his free-throw shooting (.449) is alarming.

Crews brings a great deal of energy and emotion to the game, while Williams shows potential though not enough consistency.

POWER FORWARD: A-

Tyler Smith, Chism, Ryan Childress

Tyler Smith has been better than advertised, leading the team in rebounding (6.2 per game) and assists (84) while ranking second in steals (38) and third in scoring (13.4 per game) and free-throw shooting (.717). Smith has shown a tendency to get into foul trouble as of late, and that must be corrected as his presence is pivotal.

When Chism sees time here it usually gives the Vols a favorable size advantage. UT misses the blue-collar play of Childress, whose play has inexplicably dropped off.

WING: B+

JaJuan Smith, J.P. Prince, Josh Tabb

JaJuan Smith is the heart of the team with his leadership and clutch abilities offensively and defensively. Smith's assist/turnover ratio has improved dramatically, and he no longer forces shots.

Prince, despite his tremendous upside, has had defensive lapses and struggled from the free-throw line (.448). Tabb remains UT's toughest defender and still sees spot duty at this crowded position.

SHOOTING GUARD: A-

Chris Lofton, JaJuan Smith

If Smith is the heart of the team, Lofton is the soul. Ultimately, Tennessee will only go as far in the postseason as Lofton's deft shooting touch takes it. Lofton shored up all areas of his game before warming up from behind the 3-point line over the past six games (30-of-57, .526).

Lofton's ability to lead goes beyond the court; he is a man of few words, but when Lofton speaks, the Vols listen. Smith makes sure there's no drop off when Lofton needs a breather.

POINT GUARD: B-

Ramar Smith, Jordan Howell

Once a position of great strength, the Vols have struggled mightily as of late at the point.

The explosive Ramar Smith has always been one of the best at driving the ball, and he has improved his assist/turnover ratio and his free-throw shooting. But Smith desperately needs a jump shot to complement his dribble penetration.

Howell is still the best at settling UT in threatening situations, and the Vols are a different team when he's hitting 3-point shots. Howell, however, is 3-for-17 beyond the arc in UT's past four games.

COACHING: A

Pearl, Tony Jones, Steve Forbes, Jason Shay, Ken Johnson

It's hard to find fault in the coaching with the Vols No. 1 in the RPI and ranked in the top five of both polls. The Vols were a tired bunch when they lost to a hot-shooting Texas team in New Jersey and ran into a determined Kentucky team in Lexington.

The Vols are in another transition of sorts trying to bring Prince along as a scoring threat while looking to improve play in the post, at the point and at the free-throw line.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.