Tennessee basketball Purdue Maui Invitational Scouting report score prediction

Tennessee basketball faces Purdue in Maui Invitational. Josiah-Jordan James shines for Vols. Zach Edey leads Purdue. Tobe Awaka doubtful with ankle injury.

Tennessee basketball is set to face a familiar foe in the Maui Invitational, with the No. 8 Vols (4-0) taking on No. 2 Purdue (4-0) on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Vols advanced to the semifinals with a 73-56 win against Syracuse, while Purdue secured their spot with a 73-63 victory over No. 11 Gonzaga.

One standout for Tennessee has been senior guard Josiah-Jordan James, who has been excelling in his role this season. He posted a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double against Syracuse and has consistently contributed in the team's first four games.

Purdue's Zach Edey has also been making an impact, with three double-doubles this season, including a 25-point, 14-rebound performance against Gonzaga. Edey's impressive stats from last season demonstrate his continued dominance on the court.

This matchup marks the third meeting between Tennessee and Purdue under coach Rick Barnes, with the Vols holding a 2-3 record against the Boilermakers. The previous encounters have included a narrow victory for Tennessee in 2017 and a loss in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

Looking ahead to the game, Barnes acknowledged Purdue's strong coaching and the impressive development of Edey. The matchup will be crucial for Tennessee, especially in light of Tobe Awaka's ankle injury sustained in the game against Syracuse.

With the guard play in Tennessee's favor and Purdue's strength inside, the outcome of the game remains uncertain. The performance of key players and the coaching strategies will play a significant role in determining the winner.

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