As college basketball analysts gush about Tennessee's deep bench, defensive intensity and lethal three point shooting they can't help to mention the Vols' weakness down low.

The funny thing is the Vols have actually out-rebounded SEC opponents over the first four games of conference play.

Sophomore transfer Tyler Smith has proven to be a very capable rebounder and center Wayne Chism has made great strides on both ends of the court in recent weeks.

Not to mention the team's most ferocious low post defender, Duke Crews, has been cleared to return to the court.

The "experts" have misdiagnosed Tennessee's weakness.

The Vols achilles heel, so to speak, is much more subtle and has gone largely unnoticed by the critics.

Despite winning at a frenetic pace this season, Bruce Pearl's basketball team almost never creates a mismatch on the offensive end of the court.

Nonetheless the Vols have soared into the top five in national polls while rarely utilizing one of the fundamental luxuries of a great offensive team: the mismatch.

…the Vols have soared into the top five in national polls while rarely utilizing one of the fundamental luxuries of a great offensive team: the mismatch.

At least until Ramar Smith enters the game, they don't.

It's no secret the Vols are streaky.

They thrive playing up-tempo, fast break basketball.

When slowed down and forced to run their half-court offense, though, they become stale.

Unlike the fast break game, success in half-court style basketball requires the offensive team to exploit player mismatches and use them to their advantage.

With the exception of Tyler Smith, who at times has been too quick for opposing power forwards to guard, none of Tennessee's starters pose the threat of a mismatch to other teams.

In fact, it's quite the opposite.

The Vols' starting wing players, Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith are undersized at 6-foot-2.

Their point guard, Jordan Howell, is generously listed at 6-foot-3.

Bigger post players, like Ohio State's Kosta Koufos and Ole Miss' Dwayne Curtis, often still bully Chism around in the paint.

So why does the Vols' half court game often end in an attempted three pointer by Chism after frustration that the guards couldn't get it to him in the paint?

Part of the answer is simply that this Tennessee team is more suited for the fast break than it is for half court style play.

The other part of the answer starts at the point guard position, where the Vols have as much competition as any team in the country.

Tennessee is blessed to have two point guards of contrasting styles, who bring a different set of skills to the table on a consistent basis.

Most teams would do well to have either Jordan Howell or Ramar Smith running the point.

Despite his occasional mind lapse, or once upon a time 0-for-12 night at the charity stripe, Smith is one of the most dynamic point guards in the country.

Coach Pearl was so impressed with Smith's athleticism after his freshman year that in a preseason interview with Rivals.com he predicted Smith wouldn't play more than three seasons at Tennessee before jumping to the NBA.

His unique combination of size, strength and speed makes him an automatic mismatch almost every time he steps on the court.

Take this past weekend's game against Ohio State as an example.

Several times Smith proved to be the difference maker for the Vols as he blew past Buckeye guard David Lighty and finished strong in the paint or drew a foul.

On many other occasions he used his ability beat Lighty off the dribble and open up the floor for perimeter shooters.

His 26 minutes against Ohio State were a season high and his 12-point, six rebound, six assist performance amounted to the best game of his sophomore year.

This wasn't the first time this year that Smith has sparked the offense off the bench.

He did much of the same two days earlier against Vanderbilt when he dished out nine assists in only 21 minutes.

A week before that he had seven assists in 18 minutes in Tennessee's SEC opener against Ole Miss.

Don't get me wrong; Jordan Howell is an excellent game manager whose senior leadership and deadly three-point touch are assets to the team.

He rarely turns the ball over but also rarely creates a scoring opportunity for anybody else on the court.

There's a reason Howell has 16 assists in his last seven games and Smith has 15 in his last two.

Ramar Smith has the ability to bring the half-court game to life by breaking down opposing defenses…

Ramar Smith has the ability to bring the half-court game to life by breaking down opposing defenses.

That ability could be the last piece of the puzzle as this incredibly talented team looks to maximize its potential with March on the horizon.

It's hard to believe things could get better for Tennessee basketball, however on Saturday I realized the Vols are becoming unstoppable.

And Ramar Smith has a lot to do with it.