Tennessee guard Trae Golden says he never lost his confidence even as he endured a midseason benching and an injured hamstring.
 
Now he's back on the upswing just in time to help the Volunteers make a late-season charge.
 
Golden is shooting 50 percent from the field and averaging 18 points per game during a four-game winning streak. The Volunteers (15-10, 7-6 Southeastern Conference) put that streak on the line Saturday at Texas A&M (16-10, 6-7).
 
Tennessee's surge began as soon as Golden returned from an injury that sidelined him for two games and broke out of a prolonged slump.
 
That likely isn't a coincidence.
 
Although Golden isn't Tennessee's best player or its leading scorer, his performance often dictates whether the Volunteers win or lose.