Tennessee men's basketball has been a work in progress for coach Buzz Peterson the past two seasons, and that doesn't figure to change this season.

The departure of SEC Player of the Year Ron Slay means the Volunteers need to put together yet another new approach. But the charismatic Peterson, now in his third year as head coach, believes Tennessee has the tools to make it to the NCAA Tournament. "The first year here, we got our feet wet in the SEC and put the foundation down," Peterson said. "Then last year, we kept things headed in the right direction. The third year, you hope to make it to the NCAA."

The Volunteers nearly made it last season, finishing with a 17-12 record and 9-7 SEC mark that left fans in the Smokies howling when the Big Orange were bypassed for the Big Dance.

FRONTCOURT

Peterson says 6-foot-10 junior Brandon Crump is ready to take his game to another level. "Brandon needs to give us that go-to guy, like he did at times last season," said Peterson, who appointed Crump team captain in the spring. "He stepped it up from his freshman to sophomore years, and now he needs to do that again. I felt like last year he didn't want to step on Slay's toes sometimes."

When the agile Crump did turn it on, the Volunteers prospered, recording a 6-0 record when he scored 15 or more points last season.

Crump looks to move on from an eventful summer. He was involved in an off-court skirmish with power forward Elgrace Wilborn. Crump suffered a broken jaw, and Wilborn was dismissed from the team. Crump's jaw was wired shut through June, but he recovered in time for an August session with renowned coach Pete Newell in Las Vegas at the "Big Man" camp.

Clemson transfer Jemere Hendrix will complement Crump on the inside. Hendrix, who transferred to Tennessee after suffering a stress fracture two years ago, won over his teammates with an inspired work ethic. "I've coached some players that work hard, but this young man works as hard as any and has a gift for rebounding," Peterson said. "Hopefully, a lot of those rebounds will turn into some points through putbacks."

Peterson is also excited about the arrival of Major Wingate, a 6-10, 250-pound freshman. "Major's got the size and ability," Peterson said. "He needs to continue to develop his offensive skills and give us some points inside."

Sophomore Boomer Herndon is another big body the Vols hope will continue to develop inside.

Justin Albrecht showed he could play inside or outside before suffering a season-ending foot injury just two games into last season.

BACKCOURT

Point guard went from being a question mark to an exclamation point as a result of C.J. Watson's play last season. Watson has the quickness and ball-handling skills to render most presses ineffective, and over the summer he improved his shot. An All-SEC Freshman team selection last season and select member of the 12-man U.S. Junior National team, Watson will be expected to score in double figures regularly.

Memphis transfer Scooter McFadgon could become the Vols' scoring machine. A 6-5 swingman, McFadgon has a silky-smooth jumper but is also big enough to post up. Stanley Asumnu is another athletic wing who can produce instant offense.

"I like having a couple of those big wings out there that can run and shoot over people," said Peterson, who often deploys three perimeter players and two posts. "Scooter can do a lot of things for us."

Incoming freshmen Dane Bradshaw and Jordan Howell also are expected to have a sudden impact. Bradshaw is a gritty defender, while Howell possesses ball-handling skills and a deadly jump shot. Parade All-American John Winchester enters his second year at shooting guard with much to prove.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Tennessee has the potential to be competitive despite losing Slay and solid guards Jon Higgins and Thaydeus Holden. The Volunteers' NCAA tourney hopes will come down to how quickly Peterson can get this new mix of players to jell.

Crump's ability to score consistently in the paint will be paramount to Tennessee's chances for success. McFadgon gives the Volunteers an inside-out scoring threat who can create his own shot or hit the open jumper. Tennessee is also counting on Watson and Asumnu to score in double figures on a regular basis.

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