COLUMBIA, S.C. - Tennessee junior forward Tyler Smith revealed for the first time this season that he's considering returning to the Vols for his senior year.
"Sunday could be my last game (at Thompson-Boling Arena), and it might not be,'' Smith said after Thursday night's 86-70 win over South Carolina. "It's 50-50 right now.''
Most everyone had assumed it was a forgone conclusion Smith would turn pro after this season, and the subject had not been broached.
But Smith brought up the possibility of returning for his senior year at Tennessee when asked what the difference has been in his play the past two games.
Smith had 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists against South Carolina, and he scored 19 points with seven rebounds in the 81-65 win at Florida last Sunday.
"I've just been talking to my teammates and my mom about my future as far as next year,'' Smith said. "I've decided I'll just make a decision and go with it. I can't worry about it.''
Smith admitted the decision had been creeping into the back of his mind as the Vols went through their ups and downs this season.
"I can't let that affect me,'' Smith said. "I've just got to play my game. I'll sit down and talk with BP (Coach Bruce Pearl) after the season.
"So I'm just playing and having fun, and I'm loving every bit of it. College only lasts so long.''
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 118
ksteelescvol writes:
1 more year brother smith...If ur a top 15 take it and run if not get your degree, we love seeing you in orange.
volfan_brian writes:
Oh heck!!! I counted Tyler as gone after this year!
The only thing more awesome would be if Eric Berry announced he would stay for his Senior year.
VOLorado writes:
c'mon stay another year, Tyler
dvols writes:
i stayed for mine
VolJunkie writes:
Sounds good to me ... one more year though ...
Go Vols!
PepperGrinder writes:
Excellent news.
VolJunkie writes:
What a night: UT wins and clinches the SEC East, Lady Vols win, Oku signs, Smith considers another year, ALA possibly facing major recruiting violations, next thing you know they will announce UT is playing in a great Thanksgiving tournament in an exotic location next season!
It is always great to be a Tennessee Vol!
hotrodvol writes:
This team should be very good next year if Smith comes back and we get better point guard play. Also Hopson should take a big step forward.
volmattna writes:
One more year big T!! GO VOLS!!
MrBamSeydu writes:
Yeah, Tyler, you need 1 more season to work on ball handling and a little more consistent play.
You don't wanna throw away a year of college eligibility and the rest of a free education on the "CHANCE" to get drafted. Because we all know it's about "guaranteed money" and to be honest your draft status probably isn't much different than it was last year.
We will have everyone back next year and then some. You will, again, be a big name in the SEC and there is nothing wrong with coming back for your Senior season to enjoy college and get even better. Tyler Hansbrough did it. Peyton Manning is doing just fine too.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
This is the story I've been waiting to hear all year!! What a great night to be a Tennessee Vol! I think this cast will be damn good next year either way, but with Tyler back out there they'll be in a position to reach heights that UT has never seen. Four Senior leaders out there in Smith, Chism, Prince, and Tabb will be hard to contend with.
cantstoptheHOP writes:
At his age, I think it is in his best interest to go pro no matter how this season turns out. I love him to death, but he's around Lebron's age and does not have a ton of potential.
It's been good to have him the past couple of years. Hope he succeeds in the NBA
BigVolFaninSC writes:
Tyler, if you want the big $, I think one more year with Bruce and Co. would do you well. I will respect whatever decision that you make and wish you well if you enter the draft! I think I speak for most fans when I say that I'd like to see you in the BIG ORANGE for one more year!! Great win against the chickens tonight! I get to rub it in to all my SC friends when I ask, "Original recipe or extra crispy?!" GO VOLS!
supersteve17 writes:
My guess is that most observers feel Chism has more "upside' than Tyler. Can't blame him if he goes, but it would sure be nice if he stays!
volpreacher writes:
He won't be 24. He played AAU with my son and my son will be 22 this summer.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
OKEMO say
gotta give love to tyler
no matter what
tennessee good tonight
great defense
rushing the ball to the basket
rebounding, shooting, all
vols could make a deep run in the big dance
also could go one and out
you never know
these juniors are providing senior leadership
imagine if they all stay healthy and stay at ut
maze has come on strong and west just waiting there
i believe 2 other recruits signed for next year coming in
it's great to be a tennessee vol
OKEMO has spoken
chrisw2967 writes:
I thought he played only 1 year at Iowa and then came to tenn and this is his second year here , theres no way he is 24,maybe 22 but i might be wrong.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
OH, Man gosh!! Darn it, do it! Make us all happy, and send the pundits into shock!
vol1 writes:
He was born in 1984?..I graduated from Highschool in 1984...25 years ago..damn..were have the years gone? I'm feeling old
alfrizzle097 writes:
I don't think another year will help him get any better. Another year might let him showcase his skills more to increase his draft stock.
Chism and Smith both have been victims of teams ignoring our guards on the perimeter and collapsing down to double and triple team in the post. With Hopson, Tabb, and Tatum all coming into their own (even Prince hit a three, who would have guessed?), that could open things up for both Smith AND Chism to put up much better numbers next year while showcasing their strengths.
Might be a good career decision.... maybe not.
DenmarkVol writes:
Holy moley -- can you imagine if Tyler comes back? We don't lose any seniors who get any minutes now anyway. If Tyler comes back, we get the entire rotation back. Wow.
AND our bench should be deeper and better with Jurick, Woolridge, and Negedu hopefully coming on much stronger.
AND we get Daniel West back at the 1 to join Maze and Tabb.
I say it again: holy moley.
suPEARLman writes:
STAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
please...
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
I am considering having an ICB when I get off my Night Shift tonight!
GOTGO writes:
he has to consider it because his draft prospects have plummetted through the floor..
SEC championship game LSU vs UT
GOTGO writes:
he ain't dat old is he
SPEVol writes:
Your wrong, according to UTsports.com, this is his bio
He won't be 23 until this September.
Born September 4, 1986, in Giles County, Tenn. ... Full name: David Tyler Smith ... Academic major: Arts & sciences ... Mother is Shawanda Kennedy and father is Billy Smith ... Recipient of the Bertelkamp Basketball Scholarship
wlvol writes:
PLEASE!!!!If this fool was ANY good, he'd be gone. He is not on the radar and HASN'T been the "all SEC" POY they said he'd be. We heard this type of talk before even with the football team, saying they may return...translation, I ain't good enough yet so I stay. And the public sheep think they return for any other reason than they CAN'T MAKE THE PROS YET. So the sheep fall over themselves saying "please stay". Why? What has ut DONE in the past 4 years??? Gone anywhere in the NCAA? SEC is DOWN...just check who is ranked in TOP 25...LSU. Where's UT? He ISN'T 1,2 or 3 all american. Just wait. WHO CARES???
marc_ash#231781 writes:
I think that would be a great idea. I'm not so sure he's ready for the NBA just yet. He's a good player, but he has room to improve his game for the league.
Would be nice if he returns, but money may be an issue.
Good luck in whatever he chooses, its been great having him in Orange It will be a while before he'll decide more than likely.
volsfan92 writes:
great leadership T thank you
volfan1985 writes:
Come on back to TN Tyler!!!
VOLsince68 writes:
We all care but you, obviously. From where I sit, it doesn't look like you deserve to have VOL in your username.
If you can't be positive, stay off the board.
Stay Tyler......Go VOLS!!
Ironcity writes:
I stayed two years for mine.
Ironcity writes:
I bet the odds are greater then 50-50!
TommyJack writes:
Take out a large injury insurance policy, then stay.
Volumni writes:
Glad someone cleared that up! I have been hearing that he's 23 or so for a while, but thought that seemed off. Like Lebron, he does look older than he is, though.
His recent shooting has been much improved. The shots from 3 were the difference at Florida, and if he can knock that down consistently the rest of the way,he'll go. If not, he should stay. He's not a "2". He is a Warrior.
wlvol writes:
You're right, let's all just be like the sheep and have NO opinion and follow each other. Blogs are meant for expressing opinions and just because mine's different YOU have the right to tell me to stay off? get a clue fool, it's called free speech and I'm just expressing the fact he ISNOT that good yet. And since you KNOW me I guess you really know what my user name means. I'm so glad idiots like you are here to reinforce the public perception of how mindless some ut followers are... like you!
golfballs03 writes:
He's starting to get old... I would love for him to stay, but he needs to do whats best for he and his family.
golfballs03 writes:
wlvol, bj mullins is garbage at ohio state. the guy doesn't start and when he plays it's almost embarrassing, but he will be a top 15 pick. It's not always cut and dry. Tyler Smith would be a late 1st round to early 2nd round pick if he goes this year.
golfballs03 writes:
Look at Lester Hudson at UT-M. The guy is a baller, but because of academics, he was late to go through, and is 23 now. It has hurt his draft status.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
He's a tweener and a bit too inconsistent to go in the top half of the 1st round where he needs to go to get the money and opportunity to stick. As a tweener he needs a go to 15-20 footer that he can get on his own and a more consistent 3. Another year would do him good.
VolJunkie writes:
That's a sobering thought, starting to get "old" at 23, NBA years must be like dog years. ;)
I think all Vol fans agree, would love to see another year with Mr. Smith but you have to take care of your family.
Go Vols!
AIRSHIP writes:
tyler one more year playing for coach pearl will double your NBA check .you will be a lottery pick. we are proud that you are wearing the orange. GO VOLS.
beef4davols writes:
Born September 4, 1986, in Giles County, Tenn. ... Full name: David Tyler Smith
This is from UT's website. Will be 23 in Sept.
vol88 writes:
hilarious!
b_neas writes:
If tyler comes back this team will be ridiculously deep and experienced.
PG - Maze, West, Tabb
SG - Hopson, Tatum
SF - Tyler, Prince
PF - Chism, Negedu
C - Williams, Jurick
Thats a pretty stacked lineup, especially with the way Maze, Hopson, and Williams have played lately, assuming they can keep improving for next year.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Actually, he'll be 23 this fall. September 6, 1986 is his birthday.
He's 22 now.
http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-bask...
mocsandvolsfan writes:
If Tyler goes 1st round then great. I'm for it. If he goes 2nd round then I wish him the best. I'm for it. If he stays at UT then. I'm for it. If he talks Chism into staying? then I'm for it!
marc_ash#231781 writes:
lol. What Tyler Smith did you look up??
He may look 25, but he's a young lad of 22.
walt23tn writes:
Come on back Tyler. This team is turning it around, and we need you. The NBA will be there after that.
xvolx writes:
I believe I'd do more than consider. He is not ready for nba.
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