Tyler Smith (basketball)

Smith started 29 of 31 games for the Hawkeyes as a freshman, leading the team in both rebounding and steals. He was the third freshman in school history to lead the Hawkeyes in rebounding. Additionally, Smith was second on the team in scoring (averaging 14.9 ppg) and assists. His season resulted in his being named to third-team All-Big Ten as well as to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.[2] Smith transferred to Tennessee after his freshman season in order to be closer to his father, who was suffering from lung cancer.[3]

He transferred from Iowa and was granted a waiver by the Administrative Review Subcommittee to be eligible to play for the Volunteers at the start of 2007–08 season instead of sitting out a season as would normally be required.[4] He led the Vols in assists, rebounding, and field goal percentage and was third in scoring. He ranked second on the team with 50 steals, increasing his season averages in SEC play, averaging 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds. In SEC games, ranked 4th among the league leaders in offensive rebounds, 6th in field goal percentage, 7th in rebounding, 9th in assists, 9th in assists/turnover ratio and averaged 13.5 points per game. He started 35 of UT's 36 games. He was named the SEC Player of the Week after leading the Vols to wins over Auburn and at top-ranked Memphis. Scored in double figures in 31 of 36 games and had six double-doubles. He and teammate Chris Lofton were both named to the All-SEC first team.[5]

He was a team leader and the only Vol to start all 34 games during the season, played primarily at the four spot but also saw time at the three position. He led the Vols in scoring 18 times, assists 16 times and rebounding 10 times. He also led the team with 17.4 points per game (6th in SEC), 3.4 assists per game (8th in the SEC), and a .766 free-throw percentage (8th in the SEC).[6] Ranked 6th in the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio 1.6, 7th in the SEC with 32.6 minutes played per game and 12th in the SEC in field-goal percentage .439. During the season Smith also had the first triple-double in Tennessee history against UNC Asheville and became the 42nd member of UT's 1,000-point club.[6] He earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Old Spice Classic, averaging 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in UT's three games against Siena, Georgetown and Gonzaga. Smith totaled 57 points in three games while leading the Vols to their first SEC Tournament championship game appearance since 1991. He went 10-of-10 at the free-throw line and scored a game-high 21 points vs. Oklahoma State in the NCAA Tournament.

Smith was named first-team All-SEC unanimously.[7]

In his last season at Tennessee he averaged 11.7 points per game and 4.7 rebounds, starting 12 early season games.[8] On January 1, 2010, Tyler Smith, Cameron Tatum, Brian Williams, and Melvin Goins were arrested for weapons charges and marijuana possession.[9] Bruce Pearl suspended the four players. Tyler Smith was dismissed from the team,[10] Goins and Tatum were reinstated, while Williams remained on indefinite suspension. Williams was reinstated to the team on Sat., February 6, 2010.[11]

Season Totals