Tennessee overcame some adversity last season to advance deeper in the NCAA tournament than any team in school history.
However, the distractions the Volunteers are already dealing with might present an even bigger hurdle to clear.
After a forgetful preseason, the 23rd-ranked Vols try to focus on winning their 12th straight season opener Friday night against Chattanooga.
Last season, coach Bruce Pearl suspended three players and dismissed star forward Tyler Smith after the four were arrested. Without them, Tennessee went on to upset No. 1 Kansas in January and finished 28-9 after losing 70-69 to Michigan State in the school's first regional final appearance.
However, before the Vols take their first regular-season shot this season, they have some issues to put behind them.
An NCAA investigation into recruiting practices by Pearl and his assistants could come as early as December. Pearl acknowledged in September that he mislead investigators about photos taken of him and recruit Aaron Craft, when Pearl improperly hosted the prospect at his home in 2008. Tennessee also revealed he and his staff made excessive calls to recruits.
Though Pearl is expected to be charged with unethical conduct, he's trying to do his best to keep the focus on basketball.
"That stuff's going to run its course," Pearl said. "We have goals that we want to obtain, and to do that we have to come and work hard and stay focused, and that's what we're going to do."
The Vols did not do any of that during an embarrassing 79-64 exhibition loss to Division II Indianapolis on Monday. Greyhounds coach Stan Gouard, a member of Pearl's 1995 Division II national championship team at Southern Indiana, had his players use Pearl's trademark style of full-court pressure to force 25 turnovers.
"Obviously, we're disappointed with the progress we've made, or lack of progress,'' said Pearl, who took full blame for the loss.
In response to the upset, Pearl had his players watch film at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday to try and correct their mistakes.
"Tennessee basketball is a family,'' freshman Jordan McRae said. "When we face adversity, we thrive. Look at our past.''
The Vols might have the talent to back that statement.
Gone are starters Wayne Chism, Bobby Maze and J.P. Prince, but guards Scotty Hopson (12.2 points per game in 2009-10) and Cameron Tatum (7.4 ppg) return.
Tatum had 19 points and Hopson 17 in the Vols' 114-75 win over Chattanooga to open the 2007-08 season.
Highly touted power forward Tobias Harris, combo guard Trae Golden and McRae make up a talented freshman class. Forward John Fields, a transfer who averaged 10.2 points last season for UNC-Wilmington, also is expected to contribute.
While Tennessee might not possess the collective talent to dominant in transition like in years' past, it should still keep the pressure on. The Vols also look to get the ball in the paint to the 6-foot-8 Harris, 6-9 sophomore Kenny Hall and 6-10 Brian Williams (5.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg).
"They are very talented," Chattanooga coach John Shulman told the school's official website. "They are longer than they were last year and their speed is just phenomenal."
Though Tennessee has won two straight over the Mocs, Chattanooga returns three starters and 11 letterwinners from last season's 15-18 squad. Junior guard Ricky Taylor averaged a team-leading 11.4 points in 2009-10.
Chattanooga has lost 19 straight games against ranked opponents since beating No. 19 Illinois 75-63 in the second round of the 1997 NCAA tournament.
