HOOVER, Ala. -- Almost exactly a year ago Cuonzo Martin walked into the ballroom here at the Winfrey Hotel in Hoover as an unknown commodity in the SEC and the head coach of a basketball team picked to finish at the bottom of the SEC standings. A good deal has changed in the past year to say the least.

This afternoon Martin met the media as one of the most respected new coaches in the league, in charge of a team that most pick to contend for the SEC regular season championship in 2012-13.

Tennessee was picked to finish fourth in the preseason media poll released this week, a reflection of just how much respect Martin gained in leading his squad to a second place league finish in his first year on the job.

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