Tennessee gets the 2012-13 season underway tonight, hosting Kennesaw State in the season opener for both squads. For the Vols, this season begins under drastically different conditions than last year's team faced and that's most definitely a good thing.

The Vols stumbled during non-conference play a year ago, adjusting to life under new head coach Cuonzo Martin before regrouping and closing with a flourish to finish second in the SEC regular season standings.

The play in the second half of last season, coupled with the fact that virtually the entire roster returns intact, is one reason that the Vols are generally expected to compete for the SEC title while planting themselves in the upper half of the league standings.

...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial