Lester Hudson is on every NBA draft board, he scores from most anywhere on the court in almost every way imaginable.

If the mean streets of Memphis couldn't scare him in his youth, Thompson-Boling Arena certainly won't intimidate him in his manhood.

Tennessee's young basketball team has a one-of-a-kind challenge on its hands tonight against the 24-year-old Hudson and UT Martin.

The Vols will put their 33-game homecourt win streak on the line when they tip off against the Skyhawks at 7 p.m. (TV: SportSouth). Approximately 2,000 tickets remain for the game.

Hudson, one of 50 preseason candidates for the Wooden Award, might be worth watching for the price of admission.

Hudson is a walking, talking Hoop Dream. He left Memphis' Central High School without a diploma, fell short of graduating from Southwest Tennessee Community College and needed financial aid to pay his way for a year at UT Martin before being placed on scholarship.

And yet, here he is, leading a resurgent mid-major team and on the brink of an NBA career.

"He's just a great player,'' Vols coach Bruce Pearl said. "He averaged 36 points against Memphis and Vanderbilt last year, so he has the green light, and then some.''

"Then some" would include the 6-foot-2 Hudson recording the first quadruple-double in NCAA history last season with 25 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals in a 116-74 win over Division II Central Baptist College.

"I don't care who he did it against,'' UT point guard Bobby Maze said, "that's something amazing.''

Vols' freshman Scotty Hopson, one of many charged with trying to guard Hudson tonight, shook his head when asked if he'd seen film of Hudson.

"Yeah, I did, and he's something else,'' said Hopson, who was named SEC Freshman of the Week. "The way he can move ... he's crafty.''

Those who aren't up on their college basketball knowledge might be quick to dismiss UT-Martin as a threat, but Pearl knows better.

The Skyhawks are picked to finish second in the Ohio Valley Conference and have scored a 121-56 victory over Maryville (Missouri).

Pearl thinks so much of the Skyhawks - and so little of the Vols' 114-75 win over Chattanooga - that he altered his pregame preparation.

"We normally watch the (previous) game; we did not watch the Chattanooga game,'' Pearl said, "we went right into Martin.''

In addition to Hudson, the Skyhawks feature last season's OVC freshman of the year, Marquis Weddle.

"He hit four or more treys (3-point baskets) in eight games last year,'' Pearl said. "Obviously, those two guys (Weddle and Hudson) will be the focal point.

"Martin is more VMI-like; they will spread us out.''

Virginia Military Institute stunned Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Saturday night playing the same style the Skyhawks will use against the Vols.

But Pearl doesn't plan on slowing down the tempo; if anything, UT might go fast forward.

"We'll probably switch up five or six guys on (Hudson), and try to wear him down,'' Hopson said. "I'm excited to get to play against him. Anytime you can play against the best, you want to check him. He'll come at me, and I'll go at him.''

Pearl wasn't ready to announce a starting lineup, but he was ready to say the Vols will go 10-deep in the rotation.

Curious Vote: The Vols picked up 21 votes in the AP poll after their 114-75 win over Chattanooga, but lost six votes in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.