March is all about Cinderella stories in college basketball, and the rise of one player on the Tennessee Men's team certainly qualifies as such.

JaJuan Smith came to the University of Tennessee in the fall of 2004 as just another student.

In spite of being a three-time all-state selection at McMinn County High School, Smith was not recruited to play college basketball.

As a freshman, Smith made the Men's Basketball team at Tennessee as a walk-on. He went on to average eight minutes in 25 appearances during that season, a season in which the Vols struggled to a 14-17 record.

Following the season, Buzz Peterson was replaced at the helm by Bruce Pearl, a change that would prove to be beneficial for Smith.

Pearl was fresh off leading mid-major Wisconsin-Milwaukee to a Sweet 16 appearance, and brought a new system to Knoxville featuring high-pressure defense and three-point shooting, a system seemingly tailor-made for Smith.

As a sophomore, Smith would see his stats increase across the board en route to being named co-Most Improved Player for the Vols. He was also named "Best Player off the Bench" in the SEC by the Tennessean.

His 9.5 points per game ranked fourth on the team, and he had the third most three-pointers made and assists for the Vols.

Entering this season, Smith was expected to take on an increased role for Tennessee and has not disappointed.

In his first season as a starter, Smith is averaging over 15 points per game, and has teamed with fellow junior Chris Lofton to form the most prolific scoring duo in the SEC.

In addition to his increased scoring, Smith is the third leading rebounder for the Vols, fourth leading assist-man and leads the team in steals with 65.

All these factors together point to Smith as possibly the team's most valuable player, at least in the eyes of his coach.

"To make the statement that JaJuan might be our most valuable player is a strong statement," said Coach Pearl. "He has just taken what comes his way and has really stepped his game up."

From walk-on to unsung hero, JaJuan Smith is a true Cinderella story, and that is what this time of year is all about.