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Tennessee vs Syracuse: 2023 Maui Invitational game preview, TV schedule

By Tristan Freeman

Nov 10, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Dalton Knecht (3) shoots a free throw during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Dalton Knecht (3) shoots a free throw during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports /
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Syracuse looks to make a name for itself in the 2023 Maui Invitational Tournament. Can they get past Tennessee in the opening round?

TV schedule: Monday, November 20th, 2:30 pm ET

Arena: Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii

Two weeks into the 2023-24 season, a few teams have stood out as legitimate national title contenders. One of them is Tennessee (3-0), who has a convincing road win over Wisconsin on its early resume. Despite guards Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler getting off to slow starts, the transfer duo of Dalton Knecht and Jordan Gainey have more than picked up the slack so far.

Knecht, who averaged 20 ppg at Northern Colorado last season, leads the team with 19.7 ppg. Gainey is second with 13.3 ppg, while senior wing Josiah-Jordan James is at 11.3 ppg and 6.7 rpg. The new-look frontcourt has held its own as well, with center Jonas Aidoo producing 7.0 ppg and 7.3 rpg. They’re a team with great offensive potential that still remains elite on the defensive end and has a chance at winning the Maui Invitational.

The Vols first-round opponent is Syracuse (3-0) who is in its first season in decades without Hall of Famer, Jim Boeheim. They’ve yet to lost but haven’t been fully impressive against lesser competition, including being down by 20+ points to Colgate in the second half. They were able to come back and get the 79-75 comeback win, led by 25 points from Chris Bell and 23 points and eight assists from Judah Mintz.

The Orange has four double-digit scorers, led by Mintz with 23.0 ppg. The sophomore guard is having the expected breakout campaign and has to go up against the vaunted Vols defense to start out the Maui Invitational. Notre Dame transfer JJ Staling is filling up the stat sheet on the perimeter, producing 13.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 4.3 apg. Bell (14.0 ppg) is having a strong second year as well, with forward Justin Taylor also having a nice impact in the starting lineup.

Next. 2023 Maui Invitational preview. dark

This game is the first real test for Syracuse and new coach Adrian Autry. But Tennessee is going to be a massive defensive unit against this fairly young team. I like the Orange long-term but if their guards can’t score, the Vols shouldn’t have much of an issue in this one.

Prediction: Tennessee 80, Syracuse 66

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