It's that time of year again.

When, traditionally, the weather turns frightful, the leaves hit the ground and UT fans are left to wonder what bowl game the Vols might land in come January. But, this fall has a different feel.

It feels like basketball season.

Hopes are running high on Rocky Top as the Vols are ranked No. 7 in the AP's preseason poll and are predicted to win the SEC title by many college basketball experts.

The No. 7 ranking is the highest preseason ranking in school history.

"No one has higher expectations than us." Bruce PearlUT looks to build on the success of last season when they finished 24-11 after being eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in an 85-84 loss to eventual runner-up Ohio State in the Sweet 16.

The Vols return four starters from that squad, which tied for second in the SEC behind National Champion Florida.

The returning starters include Chris Lofton, Jajuan Smith, Ramar Smith and Wayne Chism. The fifth starter will likely be a third Smith, Tyler.

Tyler arrives in Knoxville after transferring from Iowa where he was named Big 10 freshman of the year last season.

The bright spot for the Vols going into the 2007-08 season will undoubtedly be Chris Lofton.

The Maysville, Kent. native, has been named the preseason SEC Player of the Year, was named the preseason All-American team and is on many watch lists for National Player of the Year.

Lofton averaged 20.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last year. His 313 career three pointers are good enough for first in UT history and third in SEC history.

Jajuan and Ramar Smith, no relation, must both bring their success from last year to the court this year.

Jajuan, who was an important offensive threat last year averaging over 15 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, will continue to provide the Vols with another scoring option aside from Lofton.

Ramar must continue to grow at the point guard position, after averaging 10 points and a handful of assists each game a season ago.

Wayne Chism will be a vital asset to the Vols and will likely see much of the playing time down low, though fellow sophomore Duke Crews will see much action as well.

Chism contributed 9.1 points and over five rebounds per game last year and will look to do the same this season.

An exciting addition to the 2007-08 Vols is Tyler Smith.

Smith, who transferred from Iowa during the offseason, averaged just under 15 points at Iowa last year while grabbing nearly five rebounds and more than three assists per game.  Smith appears to fit right in with the Vols offense this season, which looks as potent as ever.

"We expect Tyler to be productive. He will continue to be more effective," said Vols' head coach Bruce Pearl. "It really helps when you lose someone like Bradshaw to be able to bring in a Tyler Smith."

The Vols will need players to step up and fill the leadership void after the departure of Dane Bradshaw last year.

That role might be filled by the Vol's leading scorer, senior Chris Lofton, although he is not considered to be a vocal leader according to coaches. The intensity that Bradshaw provided in the post will have to be picked up by one of the younger forwards.

While the Vols appear to have a strong starting lineup, the depth on the bench is what is most impressive. They look to have at least five other players who will see significant playing time including freshman Brian Williams, 6'10", and sophomore J.P. Prince, 6'7", who will not be eligible until Dec. 1 after transferring from Arizona last year. Prince will work to get healthy byt that time after suffering a shoulder injury during practice on October 31.

Coach Pearl is excited about the depth offered by his team this year and says he will use as many players as necessary.

"[I can play] At least 10. I've played 11 before, but 10 is likely the number," said Pearl.

Playing 10 players will be very beneficial to the Vols, who are a high pressure team, Pearl said. Pearl's gameplan is to apply full-court pressure and speed up the tempo of the game, and added depth makes it much that much more effective, he said.

If the Vols expect to fare better this year than last, free throw shooting will be a priority. Tennessee was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament last year when they lost by one point on a night when they were 8-17 from the charity stripe.

Tennessee will play another difficult schedule this year having to go through the SEC, which includes No. 20 Kentucky and No. 19 Arkansas. In non-conference play they will have to contend with No. 14 Gonzaga and No. 1 Memphis in late February.

As Tennessee faithful follow Fulmer and his team's bid for an SEC championship, Tennessee basketball is set to contend for their own championship bid, a rarity in Knoxville before Coach Pearl arrived.

Tennessee will kick off their season Friday night against the Temple Owls at 7:30 p.m. at Thomson-Boling Arena. Fans are encouraged to get there early as the doors will open 90 minutes before game time.