Four Tennessee Basketball Players Arrested on Drugs and Weapons Charges

The Knoxville News-Sentinel is reporting that four Volunteer basketball players have been arrested on misdemeanor drugs and weapons charges. After a traffic stop around noon on Friday, Tyler Smith, Brian Williams, Cameron Tatum, and Melvin Goins were taken into custody:

Tennessee men’s basketball players Tyler Smith, Cameron Tatum, Brian Williams and Melvin Goins were arrested after a traffic stop around noon on Friday.

The players are facing misdemeanor weapon and drug charges, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

“We take these matters very seriously,” UT coach Bruce Pearl said in a statement released by UT. :We are still gathering information. Once the appropriate authorities have provided us with all of the facts, we will act accordingly.”

Smith is a senior and the starting power forward, Tatum is a redshirt sophomore who has started on the wing, Williams is a junior backup center and Goins is a junior college transfer who is the backup point guard.

The 14th-ranked Vols (10-2) flew back from Memphis Thursday night after defeating the Tigers 66-59.

UT’s next game is Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena against Charlotte.

I don’t need to say it, but the loss of these four players for any extended period of time would significantly hurt the chances of the Vols in the SEC, one of the teams picked to challenge UK in conference.

**UPDATE** The News-Sentinel now reports that Smith and Williams will also face felony charges. This is not good for the Vols.