Who is Tennessee basketball's most valuable player?

Ask those around the nation, and they would probably be quick to tell you it's senior guard Chris Lofton.

And why not? He's won more SEC Player of the Week awards than anyone else in league history, and his impeccable jump shot has earned him a heap of SEC and school records.

However, last Saturday at LSU it was JaJuan Smith who saved the Vols while battling the flu-like symptoms with a game-winning steal and layup.

Wednesday night against Arkansas, Lofton struggled with just six points. Again, it was Smith who was there to bail out the Vols with 32 points.

The lack of recognition from those outside the program is something Smith is well accustomed to since he arrived as a walk-on for former coach Buzz Peterson.

Smith's importance isn't lost on those close to the team including Lofton, though.

"JaJuan, he's our MVP. He does it all. He does it on both ends of the floor," he said.

Maybe the more appropriate answer to the MVP question is, "Who cares? "

The Vols have raced out to a school record 22-2 mark in spite of the fact that Lofton scored 11 or fewer points in nine of those contests.

And with Lofton's six-point performance against Arkansas, one would think UT would have struggled. The Vols blew the Razorbacks out of the gym, 93-71. 

"I think that's the most important thing. As long as we win games, I feel like everyone on this team is happy," Lofton said.

Together, Lofton and Smith have helped make Tennessee the highest scoring offense in the SEC with 84.1 points per game.

They've created havoc for opposing defenses throughout their time together. Lofton is tops all-time in the conference for 3-pointers made with 392. Smith ranks ninth in 3-pointers made in Tennessee history.

With Lofton shooting 48.6 percent from the field in his last eight games, teams have been forced to pay particular attention to No. 5, freeing up the Vols' other scorers.

It's a phenomenon Pearl would like to take full advantage of, especially on ball-screens.

"He knows he's most likely going to have to give the ball up," Pearl said of Lofton. "That's going to create a four on three opportunity for this basketball team."

"I'm going to call ball-screen matchup with Chris to create those opportunities," Pearl said emphatically, leaving no doubt he intends to take advantage of the situation.

Smith took advantage Wednesday night, with a school record 6-6 performance from 3-point range en route to 32 points.

For Smith, it's all a part of their team concept, get it to whoever has the hot hand that night.

"We know the style of play, each and every night its going to be somebody different," the senior said. "So we just try to get him the ball and hope he puts us on his shoulders."

The Vols have other scorers. Talking about his fellow senior left Lofton wondering, though.

"I don't know where Tennessee basketball would be without JaJuan Smith."