Tennessee basketball is a top 10 team entering the season in the USA TODAY coaches poll.

The Vols are ranked No. 10, the highest ranking for any SEC team entering the 2023-24 season. The Vols were ranked No. 11 in the preseason poll prior to last season.

Tennessee checked in at No. 9 in the preseason Associated Press poll.

UT returns a key trio in guards Josiah-Jordan James, Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler, while adding expected high-level newcomers in guards Freddie Dilione, Jordan Gainey and Dalton Knecht.

Five SEC teams are ranked in the USA TODAY preseason poll. Arkansas is No. 14, Kentucky is No. 16 and Texas A&M is No. 19. Alabama finished out the group at No. 24.

UT has eight games established against top-25 teams, including seven in SEC play. North Carolina, which UT faces in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Nov. 29, is ranked No. 21. Illinois and Wisconsin, two of UT's nonconference opponents, were the top vote-getting teams outside the top 25.

The Vols are part of the 2023 Maui Invitational field, which includes six of the top 25 teams and five of the top 12 teams in the preseason poll. The field includes No. 1 Kansas and No. 2 Purdue, which UT could face in the second round.

Tennessee opens its season with a charity exhibition at Michigan State on Oct. 29. The Spartans are ranked No. 4. All proceeds from the game to be donated to the Hawai'i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund to provide financial resources to the relief efforts from the devastating Maui wildfires.

UT opens the regular season against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 6 at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee basketball ranked No. 10 in preseason coaches poll