You knew Tennessee's most recent basketball recruiting class was significant. You didn't know how significant until coach Bruce Pearl announced Friday that point guard Ramar Smith and backup forward Duke Crews would not return next season.

An already-depleted backcourt is now virtually void of college experience. A team seemingly blessed with strength in reserve no longer looks as deep.

The departure of Smith and Crews creates a greater challenge and opportunity for incoming freshmen Scotty Hopson, Daniel West, Philip Jurick and Renaldo Woolridge. It does the same for reserves Brian Williams, Ryan Childress, Josh Tabb, and Cameron Tatum, who was redshirted this past season.

Pearl and his staff will be challenged, too.

They have lost four guards, and three 3-point shooters from their SEC championship team. The losses might be measured more in points given up than scored.

All-American Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith provided a formidable one-two 3-point punch on the perimeter. On his best days, which became less frequent as the season wore on, Ramar Smith could drive through the very heart of a defense.

But the Smiths didn't need the basketball to impact a game. They had the necessary strength and athleticism to match up defensively against the strongest guards in the SEC. For example, take JaJuan Smith's play against Mississippi State's Jamont Gordon in early February. Now, you have to wonder who will fill that role.

Crews also will be missed. He was sidelined by a heart ailment early in the season, but despite that setback, he boosted UT's defense and rebounding in the second half of the season. And when starter Wayne Chism's playing time was limited by foul trouble, Crews' presence was crucial.

The attrition might hurt the Vols. It doesn't have to devastate them.

Never mind their contributions. Neither Crews nor Ramar Smith proved to be as good as their recruiting billing.

Crews struggled to develop an offensive game. The 6-foot-10 Williams will give the Vols more size and a better offensive alternative inside. His challenge will be to improve defensively.

Ramar Smith occasionally capped his drives with athletic scores. But too often, those drives fizzled at the basket. Moreover, he was unreliable at the foul line.

Still, how can you expect freshman West to play such an important position on a team that aspires to defend its conference championship and make a deeper run in the NCAA tournament?

Maybe that's why Bobby Maze's name has come up in connection with UT. The 6-2 Maze, who excelled in one junior college season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, is a former starting point guard at Oklahoma.

Ironically, Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel spoke similarly about Maze's departure as Pearl did about Crews and Ramar Smith.

"They did a lot of good things, but they also failed to do some things," Pearl said. "We just felt like - both the University of Tennessee and these student-athletes - we'd be better served to move on."

When Maze left Oklahoma, Capel said in a prepared statement: "Bobby and I met last week and came to an agreement that he and our program will part ways. This decision is best for Bobby and our team."

The Tulsa World quoted sources as saying Maze's problems involved "practice habits and overall attitude." Maze was benched against both Oklahoma State and Tulsa but started five of the last six games for Oklahoma in 2006-07.

He apparently had no problems at Hutchinson, where he averaged 20.7 points and 6.8 assists this past season. He committed to Maryland last December, but coach Gary Williams recently rescinded the offer, according to ESPN.com., which reported that Maze "will now consider offers from St. John's, Kentucky, Wichita State, Southern California and Cincinnati."

If UT can't beat out the competition for Maze, there's always J.P. Prince.

After watching Prince's emergency stint at point guard last month, I had a two-word assessment: "never again." My updated assessment; "Never say never."

In fairness to Prince, he assumed the position under the worst of circumstances after Pearl lost confidence in Jordan Howell and Ramar Smith. Prince certainly has the athleticism and confidence to handle the job. At 6-7, with long arms and exceptional jumping ability, he at least would pose problems for perimeter shooters.

Despite the uncertainty at point guard and the unexpected loss of two players, UT still will be difficult to unseat as SEC champion. Tyler Smith and Chism will be All-SEC candidates; Hopson, who figures to start immediately, is the most highly rated player Pearl has signed at UT.

Just a couple of weeks ago, UT didn't know if it would have either Tyler Smith or Hopson. Smith's decision not to go pro and Hopson's decision to sign were huge pluses for UT.

In fact, in its quest for back-to-back conference championships, UT needs Tyler Smith and Hopson more than it needs Crews and Ramar Smith.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.