Chaz Lanier is a walking highlight in Tennessee basketball's win over Syracuse

Tennessee basketball earned another win on Tuesday night. The Vols welcomed Syracuse to the Food City Center as part of the SEC/ACC Challenge and continued its early-season dominance. Tennessee defeated Syracuse 96-70 thanks to a dominant second-half performance.

It's the Vols' eighth win of the season and the first time they have started a season 8-0 since the 2000-2001 season. A big reason for Tennessee's early-season success is transfer guard Chaz Lanier, who comes to Tennessee from North Florida. 

The budding superstar has been lighting up the hardwood, and that was no different on Tuesday night. Lanier shot 8-for-16 and 4-for-10 from three-point range to total 26 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Whether it be slamming down alley-oops or draining three-point shots with a defender in his face, Lanier can do just about anything Rick Barnes needs him to do in the Tennessee offense.

It is the second straight season Tennessee fans have witnessed sparks of greatness from an incoming transfer. Last year, Dalton Knecht lit up non-conference opponents, and Lanier looks just as good or better to start the season. 

Lanier has been a walking highlight reel for the Vols to start the year, but he's not the only one showing off. Barnes has put together an all-around team that can do it all on either end of the court. 

Igor Milicic, Cade Phillips, and Jordan Gainey have also shown sparks early in the year. If they continue to improve, Phillips and Gainey could become valuable players off the bench, and we already know what Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack can do when they get hot. 

The Vols are off for a week before returning to the court. Tennessee hosts Miami on December 10, and they look to continue their winning ways with a few weeks before the start of conference play.