| Georgia (21-7) at Tennessee (13-15)
Volunteers Host Georgia in Regular Season Finale,
Three Seniors Play Last Game At Thompson-Boling Arena
 | | Del Baker, Jenis Grindstaff and Vincent Yarbrough will be playing their final game in Thompson-Boling Arena today. | Tennessee will conclude the regular season portion of its 2001-02 schedule this Saturday, March 2, when the Volunteers host the Georgia Bulldogs at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Before the game, Tennessee will honor one of the most successful senior classes in school history. Del Baker, Jenis Grindstaff and Vincent Yarbrough will be playing their final game in Thompson-Boling Arena today. They will depart the UT campus as one of the winningest senior classes in school history. Since arriving on the Knoxville campus, the trio has won 82 games which ranks as the third-most ever at Tennessee. Only the 2001 (89 wins) and 1985 (83 wins) classes have won more games in their careers.
The Vols will conclude a tough final stretch to its schedule today. The 16th-ranked Bulldogs are the fourth ranked team Tennessee has played in its last five games. UT has played No. 7 Alabama, No. 12 Kentucky and No. 8 Florida on the road and in-state rival Vanderbilt at home.
Saturday's game features the Southeastern Conference's top two leading scorers. UT's Yarbrough leads the SEC with 17.9 points while Georgia's Jarvis Hayes is a close second with 17.7 points. In SEC games, Yarbrough leads the league with 18.7 points while Hayes is second with 18.5 points per game.
The first meeting between Tennessee and Georgia produced yet another heartbreaker for the Vols. Ezra Williams picked up a loose ball and sank a three-pointer as time expired to give the Bulldogs a 73-70 win in Athens on Jan. 12.
Tennessee leads the all-time series 76-48, including a 45-13 advantage when playing in Knoxville. However, the Bulldogs currently own a three-game winning streak in the series.
| Team Statistical Comparisons | | Tennessee | | Georgia | | 71.9 | Points | 76.6 | | 70.7 | Opponent Points | 70.6 | | +1.1 | Scoring Margin | +6.0 | | 45.3 | Field Goal % | 44.9 | | 41.9 | Opponent Field Goal % | 42.7 | | 35.1 | Three-Point % | 31.5 | | 34.9 | Opponent Three-Point % | 29.5 | | 68.9 | Free Throw % | 73.7 | | 37.7 | Rebounds | 38.4 | | 34.3 | Opponent Rebounds | 36.0 | | +3.4 | Rebounding Margin | +2.4 | | 15.3 | Assists | 15.6 | | 16.4 | Turnovers | 14.6 | | 3.5 | Blocks | 3.8 | | 6.3 | Steals | 8.8 | | 13-15 | Record | 21-7 |
| Individual Statistical Leaders | | Tennessee | ? | Georgia | | Yarbrough, 17.9 | Points | Ja. Hayes, 17.7 | | Yarbrough, 7.3 | Rebounds | Daniels, 8.0 | | Higgins, 4.0 | Assists | Wright, 4.6 | | Crump, 60.3 | Field Goal % | Jo. Hayes, 56.7 | | Higgins, 37.0 | Three-Point % | Williams, 37.8 | | Grindstaff, 82.4 | Free Throw % | Williams, 77.5 | Looking At Georgia
Georgia enters Saturday's game in the hunt for the SEC Eastern Division title with a 21-7 overall record and a 10-5 mark in the Southeastern Conference. The Bulldogs, who are the only team in the East to have clinched a first round bye in the SEC Tournament, are currently tied for the lead in the East with Florida. Georgia is coming off an 82-75 overtime win against South Carolina on Wednesday in Athens. Steve Thomas led four Bulldogs in double-figure scoring with 16 points and 10 rebounds. * Jarvis Hayes leads the Bulldogs and ranks second in the SEC with 17.7 points per game. Ezra Williams is second on the team and sixth in the conference with 17.0 points per game. Chris Daniels is the only other UGA player in double figures with 11.6 points per game.
* Rashad Wright ranks second in the SEC with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.20. His 4.64 assists per game ranks second in the league.
* Georgia is the best free throw shooting team in the SEC, making 73.7 percent of its attempts.
* The Bulldogs are holding their opponents to just 29.5 percent shooting from behind the three-point line.
* Georgia is looking to win the SEC Eastern Division title for the first time in school history. The only previous title came in 1990 (before the league split into divisions) when the Bulldogs won the overall SEC championship.
* Georgia is enjoying its 10th 20-win season in the 97 years of basketball at the school. The Georgia Series
Saturday's meeting will be the 126th in the series with Tennessee holding a 76-49 advantage. * Tennessee holds a 45-13 series lead when playing in Knoxville.
* Tennessee has won five of the last nine meetings between the two schools but Georgia has won the last three.
* Last year, Georgia swept the season series. The Bulldogs took a 77-75 double overtime win in Athens on Jan. 27 and then an 88-76 win in Knoxville on Feb. 21.
* In 1999-2000, the Vols swept the season series with the Bulldogs, taking a 110-83 victory in Knoxville and an 83-66 win at Athens.
* Tennessee is 27-31 all-time when the series is played in Athens.
* The Vols are 17-22 all-time against Georgia in Stegeman Coliseum.
* The last time Tennessee played a ranked Georgia team was on Jan. 20, 1996 when the unranked Vols upset the No. 22 Bulldogs 67-62 in Knoxville.
* Tennessee is 4-2 all-time against Georgia when the Bulldogs are ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
* The two teams have never met when both are ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Last Meeting With Georgia
Georgia's Ezra Williams picked up a loose ball and sank a three-pointer with 0.2 seconds left in the game to give the Bulldogs a 73-70 win in Athens on Saturday, Jan. 12. The loss was the second in a row for the Vols on a last-second shot at the end of regulation. Earlier in the week Florida's Brett Nelson hit a three with 3.1 seconds left to send the game into overtime. Tennessee took a 67-66 lead over the Bulldogs on a Marcus Haislip tip-in but UGA regained the lead on a pair of Chris Daniels free throws and then extended it to three points on a Jarvis Hayes jumper. UT's Ron Slay tied the game with a three-pointer from the top of the key with 15.8 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Hayes dribbled into the lane but lost control of the ball. The ball bounced around until to came to the feet of Williams and he managed to get the fateful shot off at the buzzer. * Ron Slay led the Vols with 21 points and nine rebounds. Vincent Yarbrough added 19 points and eight rebounds while Marcus Haislip had 11 points and six boards.
* Ezra Williams led Georgia with 21 points while Chris Daniels had 19 points and 13 rebounds.
* Tennessee's 46.7 percent (7-of-15) shooting from the free throw line marked a season-low. Georgia, meanwhile, capitalized on 20-of-31 (64.5 percent) free throw attempts.
* Tennessee's 52 rebounds is a season-high. It marked the second game in a row that the Vols have had 50 or more rebounds. Noting The 2002 Senior Class
Three Tennessee seniors are winding down their careers in Knoxville. Del Baker, Jenis Grindstaff and Vincent Yarbrough will be playing their last home game Saturday against Georgia. The past four seasons have been some of the most successful in school history with these three players on the basketball court. * Over the last four seasons the Vols have posted an 82-42 record.
* The 82 wins are the third-most of any senior class in school history. Only the 2001 (89 wins) and 1985 (83 wins) senior classes won more games.
* Are 52-9 when playing in Thompson-Boling Arena.
* Are 38-25 in Southeastern Conference games.
* Won two SEC Eastern Division titles (1999 and 2000) and one overall SEC title (2000).
* Helped lead the Vols to a school record 26 wins in 1999-2000.
Yarbrough Leading The SEC In Scoring
Vincent Yarbrough is attempting to become the first Vol to lead the SEC in scoring since Allan Houston led the league with 22.3 points per game in 1993. With one game left in the regular season, Yarbrough leads the SEC with 17.9 points per game. Should he finish the season (postseason games count towards the final statistics) leading the SEC in scoring, it would mark the ninth time UT has had the individual scoring champion. He would join Ron Widby (22.1 ppg in 1967), Bernard King (26.4 ppg in 1975 and 25.8 in 1977), Ernie Grunfeld (25.3 ppg in 1976), Tony White (22.2 in 1986 and 24.5 in 1987), Dyron Nix (22.2 in 1988) and Allan Houston (22.3 in 1993).
Tennessee Jockeying For Position In SEC Tournament
Tennessee enters the final weekend of SEC action tied with South Carolina and Vanderbilt for fourth in the SEC Eastern Division standings with 6-9 league records. While the Vols host Georgia, the Commodores travel to Arkansas and South Carolina hosts Mississippi State. Both South Carolina and Vanderbilt hold the two and three-team tie-breakers over the Vols.
* If Tennessee, South Carolina and Vanderbilt all have the same result (either win or lose) this weekend, South Carolina will receive the fourth seed while Vanderbilt will be fifth and Tennessee sixth.
* If Tennessee wins and South Carolina and Vanderbilt loses, then UT will be fourth, Vanderbilt fifth and South Carolina sixth.
* If Tennessee wins and either USC or Vanderbilt wins and the other loses, then Tennessee will receive the fifth seed.
* If Tennessee loses then it will be the sixth seed.
* Arkansas, LSU and Auburn are potential first round opponents next week. The seeding for the Western Division will be equally as complicated.
* If Tennessee is the fourth seed, the Vols will have their press conference in Atlanta from 1:30-2 p.m. and then practice from 2-3 p.m. on Wednesday and then play at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday.
* If Tennessee is the fifth seed, the Vols will practice from 11 a.m. to noon in Atlanta and then go to their press conference from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Their game would be at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
* If Tennessee is the sixth seed, the Vols would have their press conference from 4:30-5 p.m. in Atlanta and then practice from 5-6 p.m. on Wednesday. Their game would be at 9:45 p.m. on Thursday. Florida's hot Shooting Dooms Vols
Tennessee was able to overcome injuries to both of its starting guards but could not overcome the hot three-point shooting by the Gators in eighth-ranked Florida's 68-62 win over the Vols Tuesday in Gainesville. Florida, led by Matt Bonner's 6-of-10 shooting from three-point range, made 50 percent (13-of-26) of its long-range bombs in the win. After cutting UF's 33-28 halftime lead to one point on a Del Baker trey with 4:13 left, Brett Nelson hit his third three-pointer in a row to give the Gators a 64-60 lead. The Vols couldn't get any closer as the Gators finished the game on a 7-2 run over the final four minutes. * Less than a minute into the game UT point guard Jenis Grindstaff suffered a hyperextended knee that forced him to miss the rest of the game. Later in the first half shooting guard Jon Higgins suffered a cut above his eye that put him on the bench. When he returned he suffered cramps in his left leg that caused him to miss a key part of the second half.
* Marcus Haislip led the Vols with 17 points while Vincent Yarbrough had a well rounded game with 10 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals. Jon Higgins was the only other Vol in double figures with 11 points.
* Matt Bonner led all scorers with 18 points while Justin Hamilton had 14 points and Brett Nelson had 12 and Udonis Haslem 11 points.
* Tennessee shot a season-high 90 percent (9-of-10) from the free throw line.
* Tennessee opened the game with a 15-8 lead but the Gators erased the deficit with a 16-0 run to take a 24-15 lead with just under seven minutes left in the first half. Vols Vying For Postseason Honors
Three Vols are in contention to receive some postseason recognition. Vincent Yarbrough and Marcus Haislip are candidates for all-SEC honors in addition to possibly garnering some national recognition. Also, Brandon Crump is one of the top freshmen in the league this season. * Vincent Yarbrough - Leads the SEC in scoring with 17.9 points per game and is averaging 18.7 points in league games. He ranks among the league leaders in five statistical categories and leads the Vols in scoring, rebounding and steals.
* Marcus Haislip - Ranks among the SEC leaders in five statistical categories, including second in blocks and seventh in scoring. His 40 blocks are the second-most in the league despite missing six of UT's games. Against ranked teams he has raised his game to average 19.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.
* Brandon Crump - As a freshman he has started 17 games for the Vols this year and is averaging 7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He leads UT in field goal percentage by making 60.3 percent of his shots.
Yarbrough and Haislip Earn NABC All-District Honors
Vincent Yarbrough and Marcus Haislip were both named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Pontiac Division I All-District Teams on Tuesday afternoon. Yarbrough was a first team all-District 7 selection while Haislip was selected to the second team. The teams are selected by a panel of member coaches of the NABC. Yarbrough and Haislip, along with players from the other 15 districts, will now be eligible for the NABC/Pontiac Division I All-American Team that will be announced at the conclusion of the season. Joining Yarbrough on the first team are Kentucky's Tayshaun Prince, Memphis' Dajuan Wagner and Kelly Wise and Louisville's Reece Gaines. Haislip is joined by Western Kentucky's Chris Marcus, Tennessee Tech's Damien Kinloch, Austin Peay's Nick Stapleton and Morehead State's Ricky Minard on the second team.
Yarbrough's Trifecta, Senior reaches 1,600 points / 800 Rebounds / 200 Steals
Vincent Yarbrough reached three milestones in one game when he recorded his 1,600th career point, 800th career rebound and 200th career steal against Arkansas on Feb. 13. He joins Bernard King, Dyron Nix, Carl Widseth and Reggie Johnson as the only players in school history with 1,600 career points and 800 career rebounds. Yarbrough holds the school record with 208 career steals and ranks ninth on UT's career scoring list with 1,677 points and is sixth with 831 career rebounds. Four Of Tennessee's Last Five Games Against Ranked Teams
Tennessee has had a difficult final stretch to the conference season. The Vols play three of their final five games this season on the road against teams ranked in the Top 25 of the Associated Press Poll. UT began the stretch with an 82-95 loss at No. 7 Alabama on Feb. 16 before traveling to Lexington, Ky., on Feb. 19 where the Vols fell to the No. 12 Wildcats, 61-64. Tennessee returned home on Feb. 23 where the Vols fell to in-state rival Vanderbilt 62-67. The Vols traveled to No. 8 Florida on Feb. 26 where they fell 62-68 before concluding the regular season at home against No. 16 Georgia. Starters Carrying The Load
Tennessee's starters are scoring better than 80 percent of the Vols' points in Southeastern Conference games this year. UT's bench has been outscored in all but two games (at Georgia on Jan. 12 and at Florida on Feb. 26) against conference opponents. In the last six games, Tennessee's bench has been outscored 54-157, including 2-26 in the Vols' loss at Kentucky on Feb. 19. Vols Against Ranked Teams
Tennessee is 2-4 against ranked teams this season, with all of those games coming against teams ranked in the Top 12 by the Associated Press. Following are UT's results against ranked teams this year:
| ? | ? | ? | | Jan. 9 | #3 Florida | L, 100-104 ot | | Jan. 18 | #8 Syracuse | W, 66-62 | | Feb. 6 | #7 Kentucky | W, 76-74 ot | | Feb. 16 | #7 at Alabama | L, 82-95 | | Feb. 19 | #12 at Kentucky | L, 61-64 | | Feb. 26 | #8 at Florida | L, 62-68 | Free Throws The Difference in SEC Play
In Tennessee's SEC wins this season, the Vols are shooting a combined 78.4 percent (109-of-139) from the free throw line. In UT's conference losses, the Vols are shooting just 63.8 percent (120-of-188) from the charity stripe. * UT's 88.6 percent shooting against Ole Miss was its best effort at the free throw line since making 12-of-13 (92.3 percent) of its free throws against South Carolina on March 10, 2000. Trio Logging Some Serious Minutes
With the rash of injuries this season three Vols have been relied upon heavily for their contributions. Vincent Yarbrough, Marcus Haislip and Jon Higgins are each averaging more than 30 minutes per game this year. Yarbrough leads UT with 35.1 minutes per game while Haislip (33.4 mpg) and Higgins (32.9 mpg) are also over the 30 minute mark. * Over the last nine games, Yarbrough (37.0 mpg), Haislip (36.2 mpg) and Higgins (34.6 mpg) are each averaging more than 34 minutes per game. Haislip Leading The Vols In Blocks, 40 Blocks are Second-Most In SEC
Marcus Haislip's 40 blocks this season are the second-highest number of blocked shots in the Southeastern Conference this year. Only Auburn's Kyle Davis (69) has more rejections this season. What's impressive with Haislip's numbers are that he has only played in 22 of UT's 28 games this year. * Despite missing UT's first six games, Haislip leads the team in blocked shots with 40.
* He ranks tied for ninth on Tennessee's career blocked shots list with 112 career rejections. He needs one more block to pass Rob Jones (112 from 1982-86) for ninth on the career list.
* Last year his 51 blocks led the team and ranked fifth on UT's single-season charts despite playing just 13.2 minutes per game.
* Had a career game Feb. 16 at Alabama when he led UT with a career-high 30 points.
* Scored his first career double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds in UT's overtime win against No. 7 Kentucky on Feb. 6. Yarbrough Climbing Scoring List,Ranks Ninth with 1,677 Points
Vincent Yarbrough has led the Vols in scoring this season and continues his ascent up the Tennessee career scoring lists. * He ranks ninth on UT's career scoring lists with 1,677 career points.
* He entered his senior season 28th on the school's scoring list with 1,177 points.
* He leads the Vols with 500 points this year.
* Became the first Tennessee player to score 500 points in a season since Steve Hamer scored 529 points in 1995-96.
* His 17.9 points per game leads the Southeastern Conference. Yarbrough Breaks UT Steals Record: Tied For 11th ON SEC Career List
Senior forward Vincent Yarbrough became Tennessee's all-time steals leader when he tied a season-high with five steals against West Virginia on Dec. 22. Yarbrough, who now has 208 career pilfers, passed Fred Jenkins (177 steals from 1983-87) for first on the list. Yarbrough leads the Vols this season with 55 steals. Tennessee Individual Career Steals
1. 208 Vincent Yarbrough, 1999-present
2. 177 Fred Jenkins, 1983-87
3. 173 Tyrone Beaman, 1980-84
4. 154 Dale Ellis, 1979-83 Southeastern Conference Individual Career Steals
1. 310 Clarance Ceasar (LSU), 1992-95
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6. 221 T.J. Cleveland (Arkansas), 1999-present
7. 217 Ray White (Mississippi State), 1976-79
8. 216 Pat Hamilton (Georgia), 1985-89
9. 214 Frank Seckar (Vanderbilt), 1993-96
10. 211 Jason Smith (Ole Miss), 1996-99
11. 208 Vincent Yarbrough (Tennessee), 1999-present
2002 Vols Have Most Close Calls Since 1983
Tennessee has had more than its share of games decided by one shot this year. The Vols have had 10 of their 28 games this season decided by three points or less. It is the most games decided by three or fewer points since the 1972, 1980 and 1983 teams had 11 games decided by three points or less. The school record for close calls is by the 1981-82 team that had 13 games decided by three points or less.
More Close Calls
With all of the close calls this season for the Vols, a good heart medication may be in order for head coach Buzz Peterson. Sixteen of Tennessee's last 22 games have been decided by six points or less. Ten of those games were decided by three points or less. Vols Have 13 Games Decided By Five Points Or Less
After losing their first seven games that were decided by four points or less, the Vols have put to use the lessons they learned from that experience. The Vols are 4-9 in games that are decided by five points or less on the year. UT went 0-7 in its first seven games decided by five or fewer points. Since then the Vols have won four of their last six by that margin. * Tennessee fell at Louisville (72-73 on Dec. 20) and at Mississippi State (91-92 in overtime on
Jan. 16) by one point and has two-point losses at Memphis (69-71 on Dec. 15) and to West Virginia (72-74 on Dec. 22). UT fell at Wisconsin by three points (62-65 on Dec. 29) and at Georgia (73-70 on Jan. 12). The Vols lost to third-ranked Florida by four points (100-104 in overtime on Jan. 9) and to Vanderbilt by five points (62-67 on Feb. 23).
* Since losing their first seven games decided by five points or less, the Vols have won four of their last six games decided by that margin. UT has wins against No. 8 Syracuse (66-62 on Jan. 19), at LSU (61-58 on Jan. 30), at Vanderbilt (67-65 on Feb. 2) and vs. No. 7 Kentucky (76-74 in overtime on Feb. 6). UT fell at No. 12 Kentucky 61-64 on Feb. 19. UT's Nine Losses By Five Points Or Less Are Most In The Nation
According to research by STATS, Inc., Tennessee's nine losses by five points or less are tied for the most in NCAA Division I this season.
| ? | ? | |---Losses---| | ? | | ? | ? | 5 pts | Total % | by 5 | | 1. | Tennessee | 9 | 15 | 60.0 | | ? | Coppin State | 9 | 24 | 37.5 | | ? | St. Francis (Pa.) | 9 | 21 | 42.9 | | 4. | Arkansas State | 8 | 15 | 53.3 | | ? | Binghamton | 8 | 19 | 42.1 | | ? | Iowa State | 8 | 17 | 47.1 | | ? | Northeastern | 8 | 20 | 40.0 | | 8. | 10 tied with | 7 | Injury Bug Bites Again
After surviving an early season bout with the injury bug, the Vols have once again been bitten. Tennessee's players have missed a combined total of 34 games due to injury or illness. Additionally, Marcus Haislip missed UT's first six games due to academics. Six Vols have missed at least one game due to injury or illness while only four scholarship players have played in every game this season. Del Baker (4 games with a stress fracture in right ankle), Jenis Grindstaff (2 games with knee injury), Brandon Crump (1 game with a viral infection), Andy Ikeakor (11 games with a mid-foot injury and viral infection), Ron Slay (13 games with a stress fracture in his leg and a knee injury) and Elgrace Wilborn (2 games with a knee injury) have all missed games this season. * Jenis Grindstaff, who had started seven straight games until being injured, returned to the lineup at Alabama after suffering a knee injury against Kentucky (2/6/02). He did not play against South Carolina (2/9/02) because of the knee and then missed the Arkansas game (2/13/02) with a viral infection.
* Brandon Crump missed the Kentucky (2/6/02) game with a viral infection and was severely limited against South Carolina (2/9/02). Although not back at 100 percent, he has been back in the lineup but is still battling the virus.
* Ron Slay suffered a torn ACL in his left knee against Syracuse (1/19/02) and is out for the season. He underwent surgery to repair the knee on Jan. 31. Slay also missed UT's first two games and was limited for three more after suffering a stress fracture to the fibula in his right leg in October. Yarbrough Wins Second SEC Player of the Week Honor On Feb. 4
Vincent Yarbrough was named the SEC's Player of the Week on Feb. 4 for the second time this season and the third time in his career. Yarbrough won the award after averaging 22.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in Tennessee's wins at LSU and at Vanderbilt. He shot 50 percent (16-of-32) from the floor, including 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from three-point range on the week. At LSU he had a game-high 21 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. At Vanderbilt he had 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, nine rebounds and three steals. With 4.3 seconds left in the game at Vanderbilt he hit a running jumper for the game-winning basket.
* He also won the award on Nov. 19, 2001 following a 26 point, 11 rebound performance in UT's season-opener against Tennessee Tech.
* Yarbrough won his first SEC Player of the Week honor on Jan. 31, 2000 when he shared the award with LSU's Stromile Swift.
* It is the 15th time that a Vol has received the award since the 1992-93 season. Troubles From Behind The Arc
After beginning the season by making 46.5 percent (53-of-114) of their three-point attempts through their first six games, the Vols have struggled from three-point range since then. Over its last 22 games Tennessee has made just 31.8 percent (128-of-402) of its three-pointers. Vols' Schedule 5th, SEC No. 1 In RPI
It hasn't been an easy road for the Volunteers and the computers are backing that up. According to collegerpi.com, Tennessee's schedule ranks as the fifth-most difficult in the nation this year. The Southeastern Conference is rated as the toughest conference by the website. Tennessee is ranked 70th in the Feb. 28 RPI. Following is a listing of the top conferences according to the Feb. 28 RPI:
| ? | Conference | Record | Overall RPI | | 1. | SEC | 116-32 | 0.5894 | | 2. | ACC | 81-30 | 0.5749 | | 3. | Big 12 | 103-40 | 0.5640 | | 4. | Big East | 127-45 | 0.5637 | | 5. | Pac-10 | 67-27 | 0.5626 | | 6. | Big Ten | 85-48 | 0.5586 | Last Second Losses Sink Vols
For Tennessee this season, the difference between being 13-15 on the year and potentially 20-8 is a matter of 16 points and less than 10 seconds. Four times this season a Vol opponent has hit a three-pointer at the end of regulation that has helped decide the game while one time a UT three-point attempt at the buzzer that would have tied the game rimmed out. Eight of UT's 15 losses this year have been decided by a combined total of 19 points. Following are Tennessee's games that went down to the last possession. * At Memphis, Thaydeus Holden made the first free throw of a two-shot foul to bring UT to 69-71 with 1.9 seconds left. He intentionally missed the second but Memphis was able to grab the rebound to seal the win.
* Louisville's Reece Gaines hit a three-pointer for the lead with 1.8 seconds left in the game to give the Cardinals a 73-72 win.
* West Virginia's Jonathan Hargett hit a three-pointer with 4.3 seconds remaining to give the Mountaineers a 74-72 victory.
* UT's Thaydeus Holden had a three-pointer that would have tied the game at the buzzer rim out against Wisconsin. The Badgers took a 65-62 win in Madison.
* Florida's Brett Nelson hit a 25-foot three-pointer with 3.1 seconds left in regulation to tie the game 94-94. The third-ranked Gators went on to a 104-100 overtime win.
* Georgia's Ezra Williams picked up a loose ball and fired up a three-pointer as time expired to give the Bulldogs a 73-70 win.
* Mississippi State's Timmy Bowers hit one of two free throws with nine seconds left in overtime to give the Bulldogs a 92-91 win. Marcus Haislip's shot at the end of regulation was off the mark and then Jon Higgins' three-pointer at the end of the overtime also missed.
* Vincent Yarbrough hit a driving shot with 4.3 seconds left to give Tennessee a 67-65 lead at Vanderbilt. Chuck Moore's three-pointer as time expired rimmed out to give the Vols the win.
* Kentucky's Gerald Fitch hit a three-pointer with 2.0 seconds left in regulation to tie the game 70-70 and send it into overtime. Tennessee won the game 76-74 in the extra period. Higgins Named To SEC Good Works Team
Jon Higgins was featured as the SEC Good Works Team Player of the Week on Jefferson-Pilot's telecasts the week of Jan. 23-27. Higgins served as a tutor for the 21st Century Club that helps inner city youth in Cleveland, Ohio. He participates in April Play Day with the Knoxville Boys & Girls Club and regularly reads to children at local schools. It is the second time that Higgins has been named to the Good Works Team. He also received the honor last season. Vols Have Three Players Score 20+ In Back-To Back Games
When three Vols scored 20 or more points in UT's game against Ole Miss on Jan. 6, it was the first time since the 1993 season that it had happened. Their next game against Florida on Jan. 9, the Vols did it again. Three players recorded 20 or more points in the same game in back-to-back games. * Against Ole Miss, Vincent Yarbrough paced the Vols with 24 points while Marcus Haislip and Ron Slay each had 21 points.
* Against Florida, Yarbrough once again led the Vols with 26 points while Marcus Haislip and Ron Slay each had 20 points.
* The Ole Miss game marked the first time since the 1993 season that three Vols had 20 or more points in the same game. The last time it happened was on Feb. 10, 1993 in UT's 107-111 loss at South Carolina. Allan Houston led UT with 29 points while Lang Wiseman had 26 and Corey Allen contributed 22 points.
Three Join Vols As Walk-Ons
Drew Clemmons, Micquan Ferguson and Fred Smithwick have joined the Vols following campus-wide walk-on tryouts this past fall.
* Clemmons, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound junior from Knoxville, played for Bearden High School where he led the Bulldogs to district championships each of his two seasons on the varsity squad. His senior season he earned all-region honors. Following his prep career he played two seasons at King College before transferring to UT.
* Ferguson, a 5-foot-9, 195-pound senior from Nashville, previously played baseball at Austin Peay and baseball and basketball at Aquinas Junior College in Nashville. He averaged 15.1 points per game at Nashville's Stratford High School and 10.6 points at Aquinas.
* Smithwick, a 6-foot-7, 205-pound freshman from Memphis, averaged 8.4 points per game at the center/forward position for Christian Brothers High School. Homecourt Advantage
Thompson-Boling Arena has been one of the most difficult places for opponents to play over the last four seasons. * Since the 1998 season, the Vols are 64-11 (.813) in Thompson-Boling Arena.
* Tennessee is 50-9 (.848) since the 1999 season at home. UT recorded a 14-1 record in 1999, a 15-1 mark in 2000 and 12-3 in 2001.
* The Vols are 29-10 against SEC teams at home over the last four seasons.
* UT's 38-game winning streak against non-conference games at home came to an end earlier this season with a 72-74 last second loss to West Virginia on Dec. 22.
* In 2001, Tennessee was 12-3 at home.
Vols Sign Top 10 Recruiting Class
Buzz Peterson officially announced during the early signing period that five student-athletes have signed national letters of intent with Tennessee to join the Volunteer basketball team beginning with the 2002-03 season. Joining the Vols are Stanley Asumnu, C.J. Watson, John Winchester, Justin Albrecht and Justin "Boomer" Herndon.
* Asumnu, a 6-foot-4 wing from Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy, is rated as one of the Top 10 fifth-year prep school players this season. Last year he averaged 23 points and five assists while playing for Westbury Christian School in Houston, Texas.
* Watson, a 6-foot-2 guard from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nev., who is a consensus Top 100 player, was the 2001 Nevada State Player of the Year after averaging 15 points, four assists and three steals per game.
* Winchester, a 6-foot-3 guard from Milford Academy in Milford, Conn., who is a consensus Top 75 player, Winchester averaged 20 points and six rebounds last season at Marist School in Bayonne, N.J.
* Albrecht, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound forward from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, averaged 10 points, six rebounds and three assists as a freshman last season. A starter in every game last year, Albrecht led Iowa Western with 44 charges drawn.
* Herndon averaged 22.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 7.7 blocks at Donelson Christian Academy in Nashville, Tenn., last year. The 7-foot, 240-pound center increased his scoring average from 12.4 points to 22.8 points per game between his sophomore and junior season.
* Tennessee's recruiting class is ranked among the Top 10 recruiting classes in the nation by several recruiting services. The Bob Gibbons All Star Report lists Buzz Peterson's first class as the No. 9 recruiting class in the nation.
* The Vols' recruiting class not only represents some of the best players from the state of Tennessee, it also reaches to some of the best talent around the nation. In all, five states are represented in UT's recruiting class. Playing The Percentages
UT has made 50 percent or better of its field goals in five games this season, including a 60 percent (27-of-45) effort against Marquette (11/21/01). * In 14 of UT's 28 games, the Vols have shot 45 percent or better.
* The Vols have made at least half of their three-pointers four times this year, including a 61.9 percent (13-of-21) outing against SMU. Versatile Vincent
In his fourth season at Tennessee, Vincent Yarbrough has proven that he can do most anything on the court for the Vols. Yarbrough has proven himself worthy of being a two-time Wooden Award candidate. Following are some of his accomplishments: * Holds the UT record for career steals with 208.
* Has scored 1,677 career points to rank ninth all-time at Tennessee.
* Ranks seventh all-time with 128 career blocks.
* Ranks among the Top 10 at Tennessee in three-pointers made and attempted.
* Ranked among the Top 10 in 10 different statistical categories against SEC teams in 2001.
* Has led the Vols in scoring, rebounding and steals in each of the previous two seasons.
* Has 272 career offensive rebounds to his credit, an average of 2.2 per game.
* Scored in double figures 86 times and has 17 career double figure rebounding efforts.
* Led Tennessee in scoring 40 times and rebounding 50 times in his career. Carolina Connections Visit Knoxville
Several former North Carolina players and coaches have made Knoxville a stopping point to visit UT head coach Buzz Peterson this season. * Dean Smith, the legendary former Tar Heel coach, was the featured speaker at UT's Coaches' Clinic in October
* Former UNC head coach Bill Guthridge attended a practice early in the season.
* Eddie Fogler, a former UNC assistant coach, attended a practice with Bill Guthridge early in the season and stopped back during conference play as a scout for the Utah Jazz.
* Brad Daugherty, a standout player for the Tar Heels and later the Cleveland Cavaliers, provided the color commentary for UT's games against Syracuse and at Kentucky.
* Current Tennessee Tech head coach Jeff Lebo brought his Golden Eagles to play the Vols in November
* Randy Wiel, a UNC assistant in the 1980s and 1990s, brought his Middle Tennessee State squad to Thompson-Boling Arena in January.
* When the Vols play Vanderbilt, former North Carolina player Brad Frederick will be on the Commodore bench as an assistant coach. Higgins Takes The Point
Junior Jon Higgins has moved from his natural shooting guard position to take over the point guard duties this season without missing a beat. Through his first 28 games this year, Higgins has 113 assists against just 54 turnovers. He is also averaging 7.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. In Tennessee's game against Marquette in the first round of the Great Alaska Shootout the Shaker Heights, Ohio, native recorded a career-high nine assists. Vols Battle Early Season Injuries
Injuries played a key role in Tennessee establishing a lineup in the early part of the season. UT was limited to just eight scholarship players available to play in four of its first six games this season. It wasn't until the Memphis game that the Vols able to get to full strength. Following is a list of some of the injuries that limited the Vols. * Ron Slay suffered a stress fracture to his fibula in his right leg the weekend of Oct. 28 and sat out UT's first two games until returning to the lineup at the Great Alaska Shootout.
* Andy Ikeakor suffered a mid-foot injury in his left foot in mid-October.
* Del Baker was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right ankle on Thursday, Nov. 28, and missed four games in December until returning at Louisville (12/20/01). All-SEC Performers Return
Tennessee returns two players who earned All-Southeastern Conference honors following the 2000-01 campaign. Vincent Yarbrough was a second team All-SEC pick after averaging 13.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-7 forward ranked among the top 10 in 10 different statistical categories against conference foes. Ron Slay earned third team All-SEC accolades after he came off the bench to score 12.9 points and gather 5.3 rebounds per game. Widely considered one of the best sixth men in the game last season, the 6-foot-8 forward led the Vols in scoring eight times. | 
