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Posted: Monday November 08, 1999 01:01 AM

Tennessee

1998-99 record

21-9 overall, 12-4 SEC (lost to S.W. Missouri State in NCAA second round)

Coach

Jerry Green, 41-18 (2 years at Tennessee); 263-196 overall

Projected starting lineup

G Tony Harris, 6-0, Jr. The most talented guard in the league, griped about coach and team during summer; needs to get on same page with coach and play, averaged 12.7 points and 4.8 assists per game. G Vegas Davis, 6-3, Sr. Experience and defense will be his main contributions, could easily give way to a freshman. C C.J. Black, 6-8, Sr. Is already school¹s all-time blocked shots leader with 157 and needs just 38 points to reach 1,000; traveled to Greece and Japan to play during off-season. F Vincent Yarbrough, 6-7, So. The youngest player in Division I basketball last year, Yarbrough just scratched surface of potential with 7.6 points, 5.2 boards per game. F Isiah Victor, 6-9, Jr. Team's leading rebounder last year, one of the most underrated players in the league, added strength should make cuts to basket even more formidable.

Top guy off the bench

C Charles Hathaway, 6-10, Jr. An intimidator who blocked 35 shots last year, led league freshmen in rebounding two years ago before being slowed by blood clot in right shoulder.

Key Newcomer

F Marcus Haislip, 6-10, Lewisburg, Tenn. Green says he¹s one of the best athletes on the team and the Vols have a lot of good athletes, should provide depth as swingman.

Key Games

at Pittsburgh (Dec. 4). Will be a good test of mental toughness. at Florida (Jan. 18). Beat Gators by 35 in last meeting. at Kentucky (Feb. 1). Last season, Vols garnered first sweep of Wildcats since 1979.

Outlook

Chemistry is the only thing holding the Volunteers back. In the off-season, Harris said he thought he was "too coachable" and took a few shots at his teammates. Green says if Harris had it to over again, he wouldn't say those things. "I think Tony's matured from that," Green said. We'll see what happens the first time the Volunteers face some adversity. The Volunteers have the most athletic forward combo in the country in Victor and Yarbrough. The difference for this year's Volunteer team, which was embarrassed by Southwest Missouri State 81-51 in the NCAA Tournament, is depth. Starting guards Harris and Brandon Wharton appeared to wear down at the end of last season. With veterans like Davis and six newcomers who can contribute, that shouldn¹t happen again.

Volunteers' 1999-00 schedule

 

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