The Players Era Tournament officially revealed both brackets on Thursday, outlining the path for each team during the Thanksgiving week event. Las Vegas will play host again, where Tennessee will open up on Tuesday, November 24th against Maryland.
Yes, that sets up an obvious meeting with former Tennessee guard Bishop Boswell, who will now be tasked with slowing down Dai Dai Ames, Juke Harris and Terrence Hill Jr. The winner will advance to play either San Diego State or Iowa State on Thanksgiving
day. The losers will meet each other in the consolation bracket.
Tennessee is on the side of St. John’s, Texas Tech and Louisville. A potential meeting between Louisville and Tennessee could be a top ten matchup come November.
On the other side, defending champs Michigan headline the field. Gonzaga and Alabama are two more big-time teams that will threaten to make the title game.
Tennessee’s non-conference schedule is always loaded, and this year will be no different. The Volunteers already have games scheduled against Michigan State, N.C. State and Purdue in addition to what they get in the bracket above. Rick Barnes will have perhaps his most capable offensive team yet during his time in Knoxville, thanks to a loaded transfer portal class.
Maryland went 12-21 in Buzz Williams’ first season leading the program. The Terrapins also added former Arkansas guard DJ Wagner out of the transfer portal, along with 5-star, No. 8 overall wing Baba Oladotun.
