By MIKE GRIFFITH, Scripps Howard News Service

Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl gets credit for his Xs and Os, marketing skills and recruiting abilities, but what about Pearl the psychologist?
He shrugged when it was suggested that Tuesday night's 80-68 Tennessee victory over Marquette was a result of pushing the right buttons on junior center Wayne Chism.

HARRIMAN, Tenn. -- Ken Mink was shooting baskets in his driveway about this time last year when he had a sports epiphany."I had been knocking down shot after shot, so when I came in the house I told my wife, 'I've still got it,' " said Mink, 73, a semi-retired journalist. "She said, 'You've got what?' I said, 'I can still play.' "

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- Matt Kenseth isn't afraid of the dark, and he's sure not afraid of a little rubbin' on the racetrack.The 2003 Cup champion has won two of Bristol Motor Speedway's fall classic night races in his career, establishing himself as one of the hardest chargers on the .533-mile oval.

Tennessee All-America guard Chris Lofton is expected to be back at practice Wednesday and ready to play in Thursday night's NCAA East regional semifinal against Louisville."The ankle, heel, the Achilles, it's all pretty sore," Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said. "But if we had a game tonight (Tuesday), he would have played."

Tennessee and Louisville fans following the NCAA Tournament can look forward to a double-dose of entertainment this week.The coaching match up between ringleaders Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino could prove to be just as compelling as Thursday's Sweet 16 game between the East Region's second-seeded Vols (31-4) and third-seeded Cardinals (26-8).

Ramar Smith and Jordan Howell get the point.Both Tennessee point guards are aware they need to step up for the Vols to make a run in the NCAA tournament.Smith has scored in double figures just once in the past 16 games while sinking only 10 of 19 free throws (.526), including two clutch misses in the 92-91 SEC tournament semifinal loss to Arkansas last Saturday.

Coach Bruce Pearl can't help but notice the irony when his Tennessee basketball game visits Florida on Wednesday night.