Two members of the Tennessee Volunteers have earned preseason honors from Southeastern Conference coaches.

The Vols landed two players on the second team of the All-Southeastern Conference Coaches’ squad. The preseason coaches teams were released on Tuesday, one day before SEC Media Days kicked off.

Representing Tennessee on the second team are senior tight end Luke Stocker and senior defensive lineman.

The Vols are hoping for a bounce-back season in 2010, following a 7-6 showing in 2009 that included a 4-4 record in SEC play. The Vols tied Georgia for second place in the East, behind division winner Florida.

The Gators landed 10 players total on the first and second teams. Defending conference and national champion Alabama put six players on the first team.

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In a contest that was closely contested the entire way, a Volunteers foul with just seconds remaining allowed the Spartans to knock home the game-winning free throw.

J.P. Prince still had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but missed horribly on a half-court attempt.

The Volunteers had never been to the Elite Eight before, so it was certainly a major step forward for their basketball program.

At the same time, such an accomplishment means little just moments after such a devastating defeat.

The Volunteers seemed to overwhelm the Bobcats from the start with their quickness and athleticism.

Unlike Thursday night when it seemed like Ohio could score at will, Tennessee decided it would play a little defense.

When the Volunteers really get after it on both ends of the court, they are as good as just about anyone.

They now advance to the Sweet 16 where they will match up with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

One more win, and they’ll be singing Rocky Top all the way to Indianapolis and the Final Four.

The Tennessee Volunteers, just eight days ago fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives against San Diego State in the first round, is one victory away from going to Indy. Brian Williams tipped in a basket with 32 seconds left, and J.P. Prince blocked a shot at the buzzer as the Vols upended Ohio State 76-73 in the Midwest Regional semifinals Friday night in St. Louis.

Tennessee (28-8) moves into the Elite Eight for the first time in the history of its men’s basketball program. Perhaps the Lady Vols, no strangers to playing deep in the NCAAs, can offer their male counterparts some advice. UT will face Michigan State for a trip to the Final Four.

Actually, the Vols are doing just fine on their own. Prince blocked Evan Turner’s 3-point attempt at the end to seal the win for Tennessee. It was a tight game throughout; neither team led by more than seven points.

Wayne Chism led Tennessee with 22 points, 18 coming in the second half, and added 11 rebounds. Williams led the Vols with 12 boards.

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The Tennessee Volunteers hope the third time indeed is the charm.

The Vols reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2007 and 2008, losing in the regional semifinals both times. Now they have an opportunity to push into the Elite Eight, after downing Ohio on

Saturday 83-68 in the second round of the Midwest Regional at Providence, R.I.

Tennessee (27-8) next takes on Ohio State in St. Louis for a trip to the Elite Eight. The Vols earned their way into the Sweet 16 with a dominant inside showing against Ohio, the No. 14 seed that upended Georgetown in the opening round.

The Vols outscored the Bobcats 58-12 in the paint, and held Ohio to just 37.9 percent shooting. Overall, Tennessee looked much better than in their opening-round survival contest against San Diego State.

J.P. Prince led Tennessee with 18 points. Scotty Hopson scored 17. Two players, Brian Williams and Wayne Chism, each pulled down 12 rebounds.

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Tennessee sprinted out to an 11-point halftime lead and continued to increase it to 19 points until midway through  the second half.

That’s when Tennessee watched in horror as Kentucky furiously rallied back and eventually tied the game, which caused fans to nervously look on.

However, the Volunteers were able to composed themselves and go on a 9-0 run marked by big plays down the stretch to put the game away.

The Volunteers have now knocked off the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country this year, something no one else can brag about.

Once the floodgates opened in the second half, there was no way the Tennessee Volunteers could slow down Florida on Tuesday night in Gainesville, Fla.

A 27-6 run sparked by four 3-pointers put the Vols in a hole from which they could not emerge, Tennessee losing 75-62 to the Gators.

As the Gators zoomed by the Vols on the court, they also zoomed by them in the SEC East. Florida moved one game ahead of Tennessee (20-7, 8-5) for third place in the division.

Scotty Hopson scored 20 points coming off the bench, but his play was the lone bright spot on a night where the Vols shot just 39.7 percent from the floor, saw the Gators connect on 27-of-53 attempts and witnessed an early eight-point lead evaporate. Tied 37-37 at halftime, Florida took control in the second half.

Tennessee, which has lost three of its past five, plays host to Kentucky on Saturday. The Vols then conclude the regular season with a home game next Wednesday against Arkansas and a road contest March 6 at Mississippi State.

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The first half was typical of Tennessee, which came out sluggish as they have much of the season.

Head coach Bruce Pearl was not happy with the lack of team play in the first half and made it known at halftime.

The team seemed to get the message, and it usually does, and pounded the ball inside in the second half.

Wayne Chism, who is banged up with a number of injuries, led the way with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The loss means that the Volunteers lost in both meetings with the Commodores this season.

The Volunteers are clearly the quicker, more athletic team, which makes both losses very puzzling.

The Commodores seemed to be the team that was quicker to the loose balls and more prepared to play, and it showed in the final score.

Tennessee really struggles to put the ball in the basket at times, and their struggles on offense then seem to carry over to the defensive end.

The Volunteers held a four-point lead at halftime but really had some serious defensive issues in the second half.

Tennessee plays an up-tempo style that promotes giving up some easy baskets, but giving up 54 points in a half to Vanderbilt is ridiculous.

J.P Prince led the Volunteers with 22 points, but was also assessed two technical fouls during the course of the game.

Wayne Chism was held to just 8 points on 2-9 shooting. His struggles from the field have to be a cause for concern.