Tennessee guard Darius Thompson and swingman A.J. Davis have asked to be released from their scholarships. Volunteers coach Donnie Tyndall confirmed Monday at a Big Orange Caravan event in Atlanta that both players had asked for their releases ''to explore their options.'' ''I don't think in either case, at least what they're telling me, that these guys have made their mind up to not come back,'' Tyndall said. We certainly hope they will come back, but at the end of the day, they need to be comfortable in what they're going to do the rest of their career, so we've released them to explore their options with the hopes that they'll decide to return.'' Their departures would be the latest defections to hit Tennessee since an offseason coaching change. California hired Cuonzo Martin away from Tennessee on April 15, and Tyndall was announced as his replacement a week later. More...