KNOXVILLE — Jeronne Maymon simply smiled.
Trae Golden realized it was a chance to do something he’s wanted to do since his childhood.
The Tennessee basketball players might have had different reactions when they saw Duke pop up on the Volunteers’ schedule, but they share the same perspective.
“It’s a great test for our team to see where we’re at, to test where our heart is, to test where our head is,” Maymon, the junior forward, said last week of the Vols’ date with the sixth-ranked Blue Devils today in the Maui Invitational’s opening round. “It’s a great opportunity. Hopefully we go out there and take advantage. We’re buying all into Coach [Cuonzo] Martin’s system, and we believe.”
UT has cruised past two inferior opponents, which they won’t likely see their first two days on the islands. The Vols, who have been in Maui since Thursday, would play either No. 10 Memphis or No. 17 Michigan on Tuesday.