Sept. 4, 2004: Tyler Smith commits to sign with Tennessee for coach Buzz Peterson.
Nov. 10, 2004: Smith signs national letter-of-intent.
March 2005: Peterson fired, Bruce Pearl hired.
April 2005: Smith asks for release. Pearl refuses.
2005-06: Smith plays at Hargrave Military Academy.
April 2006: Smith elects to enroll at Iowa.
2006-07: Smith is All-Big Ten Freshman at Iowa, averaging 14.9 points.
April 2007: Smith granted for release from Iowa.
May 30, 2007: Smith announces transfer to Tennessee to be closer to terminally ill father, Billy.
June 22, 2007: NCAA grants hardship waiver so Smith can play immediately at Tennessee.
Sept. 20, 2007: Billy Smith dies of lung cancer.
Nov. 9, 2007: Smith scores nine points in UT debut, 80-63 win over Temple.
2007-08: Smith averages 13.6 points, starts every game and wins All-SEC honors as Tennessee clinches first outright SEC regular-season title in 41 years.
Dec. 3, 2008: Smith records first triple-double in UT hoops history in win over UNC-Asheville.
Feb. 14, 2009: Scores career-high 30 points in win over Vanderbilt.
2008-09: Smith averages 17.4 points and is again All-SEC. Season ends when he misses 3-point attempt at buzzer and Vols fall to Oklahoma State in first-round NCAA tournament game.
June 11, 2009: After several NBA workouts, Smith announces he will return for senior year.
Dec. 31, 2009: Smith scores 11 points in 66-59 win at Memphis, what turns out to be his final game at UT.
Jan. 1, 2010: Smith one of four players arrested in traffic stop that reveals guns and drugs in car.
Jan. 8, 2010: Smith dismissed from team.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 24
Rockygrass writes:
You are as dumb as he is.
lomas98 writes:
Who will be the first one to complain about this article? Based on the logic of most of the stupid posters on another article, we already knew this information.
1vavolfan writes:
This is a sad day for Tennessee basketball. I am amazed by the comments on the so called fans on this site. Tyler was a big part of the 31-4 team and he has made many contributions to this program. I hope that Tyler goes on to a solid career wherever it is and comes back for his degree. I have made many mistakes in my life, I am not as perfect as those of you who are so quick to judge
CuccessfulVol writes:
We will miss the talent, but will not miss the lack of leadership, motivation, and intellect. I think we have eager players on the team that have more to prove, which could prove better results this year. The Charlotte game could reflect how we could play like effort and energy-wise, compared to how we played against USC and other lack luster efforts this year. I will be glad to see Williams and Prince go as well. They play very poorly at times it is an infectious disease for our younger and under developed talent. Woolridge can be a much better player than he is, but he needs lots of playing time to help him grow. I believe Hall, Woolridge, and Hopson can be our future weapons if we push them and lead them the right way.
Vol_life writes:
Tyler is a great player even though his recent choices haven't been that of a true leader. If you are a true Vol fan then you will be hurt by his dismissal. Whether some like it or not he is and will always be part of UT history because of his success on the basketball court. I do believe it was his choice to get in the car and that was a true act of self destruction and they all (Melvin, Tyler, Williams and Tatum) need to be punished for there involvement. I feel it is a sad day in TN.
Vol_life writes:
I couldn't agree more. Everyone makes mistakes. I'm glad the punishment for my first mistake didn't end like this. I feel if they dismiss him they should dismiss all of them. It wasn't a one person thing.
golfballs03 writes:
People say good riddance like he is a violent felon. He made a stupid decision and he is paying for it. But he didn't hurt anyone, and his crime wasn't due to any maliciousness on his part. I hope he can clean up his act and wish him success the rest of the way.
golfballs03 writes:
It's also rediculous how now that he's gone, people are coming out of the woodwork criticizing him as a basketball player like we would have been a better team without him. That is rediculous, and you obviously have a short memory
All_Vol writes:
A long strange trip Tyler. Wish you luck on your career and life.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Well-said, I agree.
doubledeuce22Q writes:
We need to keep taking out the garbage. By "garbage" I am referring to the quality of the person and not the athlete. We will be much better off without some of the attitudes that we currently have on the team. Trust me, there are quality athletes that are also quality people. And before you select peole start to question the Tyler bashing...we were all fans of his (and some still are), but he earned the fact that some of us now feel this way. This was not just one incident...his composure/personality over the last 2 years on and off the court built up to this. To those of you who only read his quotes online I am sure you were floored by this, but the warning signs were there. Lets move forward as a program and kudos to Bruce for making the very tough decision that definitely needed to be made. Best of luck to Tyler in the future...I hope he can get it together. I hope he can do better than the Rocky Top League and get out of Knoxville.
keepitreal4vols writes:
This is a life lesson that anyone young or old can learn from. If you got weed, guns and a open bottle of alcohol, don't do 70 in a 55.
TommyJack writes:
Mostly agree. See no need in beating Tyler down.
BTW, the Rocky Top League is the worst thing ever to happen to TN B.B., IMO.
BigBadVol writes:
Sorry, but I feel really bad for Tyler. He and others made a bad mistake. Hopefully, it makes him a better person.
desfpvol13 writes:
I agree with those above who said: he needed to be let go and we need to continue to clean things up in our athletic programs; we all make mistakes; I'm still a Tyler fan; he was a huge factor in our success last couple years; hope he learns from his mistakes and is successful in basketball and in life.
Ironcity writes:
You are so right. If I am a player I would NEVER come back for my Senior year if I had a chance to go pro. No one here cares. Think of two players that are hated the most by the so called fans. Kelly Washington (who broke his neck for the team but that wasn't good enough for the fans here) and Tyler Smith.
We are great fans as long as you win! Tyler deserved to go. He brought shame to himself, his family and the school. We still should wish him the best. Hope he straightens himself out.
We as fans should also support the team the players we have now and the Administration on whatever punishment they deem appropriate. I like you have made mistakes in my life. Fortunately they didn't harm my career and I hope Tylers don't harm his.
The future will determine whether the administration was right or wrong and hopefully Tyler will have an opportunity to right his wrongs.
vol98champ writes:
Tyler needs a ghost writer. There has to be a lot more to the story. Hope we hear it soon. Might make a great novel or a how not to finish your senior year in school brochure.
Ironcity writes:
I read your post and I find it interesting that you are tying this incident to " COMPOSURE ON AND OFF THE COURT" What did he do on the court that makes you say that? He didn't score 20 a game with 6 assists and 8 rebounds and 3 steals. He wasn't able to lead us to final four? He was unable or incapable of taking over games when our team would collapse?
Tyler gave his all when he was on the court but that isn't good enough for you. As for his issues off the court, you make a lot of implied assumptions. Heres the facts, he has never been arrested prior to this incident. Its my understanding he was not in our drug program (4 strikes your out). He worked his butt off at practice. He was looked up to by every player on the team.
So Tylers off the court behavior up to last weeks incident has been like most students on a college campus. You, like so many others here tie character issues with results. He did something great on the court therefore he must be a great guy. He doesn't do as well as I expect him to do, he must be a bad guy. Get over yourself! These guys want to win more then any of us. They put a lot into this. We fans sit behind a keyboard and a wonder if they practice 16 hours a day and then criticize him if we think he doesn't. Once again I find it amazing how quick we are to throw our guys under the bus.
RockyTop1 writes:
I'll second that!
garrthom writes:
How long has he been in college? He still is not finished?
gwills228#231210 writes:
LET'S MOVE ON! KANSAS IS NEXT,THEN SEC PLAY BEGINS! WAYNE CHISM IS GOING TO HAVE TO STEP UP AND LEAD THIS TEAM AND I REALLY BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO BE A BETTER TEAM.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Even I was somewhat shocked to read in another article that he needs 12 CLASSES to finish his degree. I HOPE after nearly four years in college, including one year at Iowa, they meant 12 credit HOURS to finish. Twelve classes at three semester hours each is more than two full semesters to finish a degree, which would most likely be one full calendar year.
sorkb writes:
We pay (scholarship) these guys to make the right decisions and properly represent the University. If you can't do that, sorry, you're fired. That's life!
volsoutlaw writes:
Just take a look at Tyler's pic, and then put together pulled over in possession of two pistols one missing serial numbers. Now read this,
"The teardrop tattoo or tear tattoo is a symbolic tattoo that is placed underneath the eye. The tattoo has several connotations. Teardrop tattoos usually signify the loss of a friend or loved one. An empty tear signifies that the loved one has been killed or that the bearer has unsuccessfully attempted murder.[1] A filled tattoo signifies that a loved one has taken his or her own life, or was killed by a cause other than murder (car crash, death penalty, etc.) A tear with an empty top and a full bottom means that the wearer has avenged the murder of a loved one. The majority of the 'tear tattoos' seen in popular culture today, however, signifies that the wearer has killed, with the number of tears representing the number of kills.[1]
It is a tattoo that is almost always associated with prison tattoos and membership in a gang. Tear tattoos, when given in prison, are primarily to indicate that the bearer has murdered someone, either in or out of jail.[1][2][3] The tattoo can also be given to commemorate a loved one who died while the wearer was incarcerated."
I say good riddance, you dance with the devil you pay the price.
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