Tyler Smith And Cameron Tatum Among Four Vols Arrested On Drug And Weapons Charges

No. 14 Tennessee beat Memphis on New Year's Eve, but New Year's Day brings potentially season-altering news for Bruce Pearl's squad.

Two damaging pieces of information popped up on Twitter feed of Heather Harrington of WNML-AM in Knoxville, the city's Fox Sports Radio affiliate.

Tweet 1:

Just confirmed from KPD officials four UT mens basketball players arrested on marajuana possession charges and weapons charges

Tweet 2:

KPD source confirmed the players are Melvin Goins, Tyler Smith, Cameron Tatum and Brian Williams... #volsarrested

The KPD in the second tweet naturally stands for the "Knoxville Police Department."

The Knoxville News-Sentinel reports the arrests occurred after a traffic stop at about 12 p.m. Friday afternoon. The paper also reveals that the charges are misdemeanors, not felonies.

If Smith and Tatum are going to be off the team, the Volunteers' chances of challenging third-ranked Kentucky for the SEC crown are pretty much gone.

Our Tennessee blog, Rocky Top Talk, is sure to have more on this story as it unfolds.