For a player whose struggles on a basketball court have been few and far between, Jarnell Stokes has had to learn to deal with some adversity this season. It started when Jeronne Maymon's injury significantly increased the burdens Stokes has to carry for this team, burdens his broad shoulders are still adjusting to lugging around.

Stokes' effort against Alabama on Saturday suggests he's getting more accustomed to handling the heavy load he has to carry in the paint if the Vols are going to be successful.

His 15 points and 18 rebounds against the Crimson Tide was a well-timed outburst for a Tennessee team that desperately needed a win after dropping five of their last six games.

Cuonzo Martin has never made any secret about his belief that Stokes is the key piece of the Vols' offensive puzzle. That belief looked well placed on Saturday afternoon when Stokes simply dominated for large portions of the afternoon.

"'It's good for him. I'm happy for him. It's been a struggle, I think more mentally than anything," Martin said of Stokes and what he's gone through this season...

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