Part one of a four part discussion on the college choices for players of every level in the state of Tennessee.

With recruiting becoming a year around topic these days, players from all over the state are preparing themselves for the rigors of potential visits and call from coaches around the country.

The fortunate few who will have the opportunity to wear the uniform of the D1 program are already sorting through letters and calls and preparing themselves with potential visits.

In the past four seasons the number of D1 players from Tennessee has increased significantly, but still a very small percentage if you figure the amount of players who participate in high school basketball.

The rise in numbers can be attributed to various factors including the advent of more top quality summer programs like the Murfreesboro Stars, Tennessee Mavericks, Mid-State Ballerz and Nashville Celtics. The exposure created by our website could be another factor and the simple increase of top quality talent from around the state.

In 2003 only 11 players from the state signed D1. The following year (2004) the number jumped to 23, then a banner year in the state as 2005 brought us 31. The Class of 2006 managed a solid 25, but had more high level players than any class in the last 15 years.

Part one of our four part series will feature the D1 schools of the Volunteer state. Part two will feature the DII and DIII schools. Part three will feature the NAIA DI and II schools and finally part four will feature the junior colleges.

Austin Peay

Located in lovely Clarksville the Governors are coached by the venerable Dave Loos. The veteran mentor has roamed the sidelines for 17 years and also serves double-duty as the schools athletic director.  The Governors play in the Ohio Valley Conference. They currently have 5 former Tennessee high school players on their roster.

Belmont

The Atlantic Sun conference champions enjoyed a fantastic season winning 20 games and making a trip to the dance. Veteran coach Rick Byrd has patrolled the sidelines for 20 plus years at the Nashville campus. Belmont currently has 9 former Tennessee high school players on their roster.

Chattanooga

Led by 2005 Southern Conference Coach of the Year Jon Shulman the Mocs are one of the finest institutions in the entire state. They made huge headlines around the Volunteer state in 2005 with a victory over SEC member Tennessee. Coach Shulman currently keeps 6 former Tennessee high school hoopsters on his roster.

East Tennessee State

All the way across the state in Johnson City the Bucs of East Tennessee State occupy a huge spot in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Coach Murray Bartow, the 2004 Conference Coach of the Year, has his troops primed for another rise to the upper echelon of the conference. The Bucs have 8 former Tennessee high school players on their roster.

Lipscomb

7th year mentor Scott Sanderson led his Bison to the finals of the conference tournament championship game before falling to fellow Nashville neighbor Belmont. The crowd at Allen Arena welcomes back one of the most promising teams in the Atlantic Sun. The Bison currently have 8 former Tennessee high school players on their roster.

Memphis

One of the nations finest programs led by popular leader John Calipari. The 2005-2006 Conference USA champions made a spirited run to the national champion before falling a bit short. The Tigers currentl;y have 6 former Tennessee high school players on their roster.

Middle Tennessee State

Sun Belt power MTSU gears up for the 2006-2207 season behind the watchful eye of 5th year mentor Kermit Davis. The Blue Raiders are one of the up and coming powers in the Sun Belt and have 4 former Tennessee high school players on their roster.

Tennessee

Dynamic first year coach Bruce Pearl led the incomperable Vols to a SEC East Division championship and  #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The National Coach of the Year has primed the Knoxville faithful for many more highlights for years to come. The Vols currently have 4 players from the state on their active roster.

Tennessee-Martin

Skyhawk Arena in Martin houses the Ohio Valley Conference hopefuls. Coach Bret Campbell leads his ever improving Skyhawks to the brink of conference production. The OVC member currently has 6 former state players on their roster.

Tennessee State

The Tigers led by fourth year mentor Cy Alexander begin their quest to capture gold in the Ohio Valley Conference. Nashville is the place for their improvement to begin and the Tigers have 6 former state players on their roster.

Tennessee Tech

The Golden Eagles reside in Cookeville and have captured the imagination of their vast fan base. Led by fourth year coach Mike Sutton the OVC staple looks to make even more noise this season. Tech currently has 4 players from the high school ranks in Tennessee on their roster.

Vanderbilt

Coach Kevin Stallings leads his Commodores into another SEC season. The Nashville based academic institution will once again fill the hallowed halls of Memorial Gymnasium and give the Music City faithful much to cheer for. The Commodores currently only have one player on their roster from Tennessee.

This concludes part one of this four part series. The breakdown of the DII and DIII schools will post some time today.