Tag: Zakai Zeigler

Zakai Zeigler named to Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List

Tennessee senior guard Zakai Zeigler named to Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List.

No. 12 Tennessee played its only exhibition game ahead of the 2024-25 basketball season.

No. 18 Indiana defeated the Vols, 66-62, on Sunday at Food City Center. Rankings reflect the preseason USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.

Senior guard Zakai Zeigler led Tennessee with 13 points against the Hoosiers.

The 5-foot-9, 172-pound guard was named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy College Player of the Year Preseason Watch List.

Zeigler averaged 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game last season. He appeared in 36 games, including 30 starts, and was named 2024 SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Tennessee will tip off its 2024-25 basketball season on Nov. 4 versus Gardner-Webb at Food City Center (7 p.m. EST, SEC Network+).

Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

Zakai Zeigler returns for senior season with Tennessee basketball

2024-25 Tennessee Vols basketball season preview: Zakai Zeigler

No. 12 Tennessee will open its 2024-25 regular season Nov. 4 against Gardner-Webb. The Vols will defend their SEC regular-season championship this season.

During the preseason, Vols Wire previews student-athletes on Tennessee’s 2024-25 men’s basketball roster. This installment will feature senior guard Zakai Zeigler.

As a freshman, the Long Island, New York native averaged 8.8 points, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He also averaged 10.0 points per game in SEC play.

During his sophomore season, he led the SEC in assists (161, 5.4 per game) before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Zeigler became the first Tennessee player to lead the SEC in assists since C.J. Watson in 2004-05.

As a junior, Zeigler was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Second-Team All-SEC by the Associated Press and was a first-team selection by the coaches.

He appeared in 36 games, including 30 starts, last season. Zeigler averaged 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

Purdue eliminates Vols from NCAA Tournament

Purdue defeats Tennessee and advances to the Final Four.

No. 1 seed Purdue (31-4, 17-3 Big Ten) defeated No. 2 seed Tennessee (27-9, 14-4 SEC), 72-66, in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

The Boilermakers led, 36-34, at halftime. Tennessee led by 11 points during the first-half.

Dalton Knecht totaled 37 points for the Vols, while breaking Ernie Grunfield’s single-game NCAA Tournament scoring record (36) at Tennessee.

Knecht also recorded three rebounds and one assist in his final game for the Vols.

Zakai Zeigler totaled nine points, eight assists and four rebounds for Tennessee.

Josiah-Jordan James recorded eight points and Jordan Gainey finished with six points for the Vols.

Purdue’s Zach Edey scored a game-high 40 points. He also totaled 16 rebounds.

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Tennessee advances to Elite Eight for second time in program history

Tennessee advances to the Elite Eight for second time in program history.

No. 2 seed Tennessee (27-8, 14-4 SEC) defeated No. 3 seed Creighton (25-10, 14-6 Big East), 82-75, in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

The Bluejays led, 35-34, at halftime.

Tennessee advances to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history.

Tennessee led by as many as 16 points in the second half before the Bluejays pulled to within three points.

Dalton Knecht totaled 24 points, five rebounds and five assists and was one of three Tennessee players to score 10-plus points in the contest.

Zakai Zeigler recorded 18 points, six assists and four rebounds, while Josiah-Jordan James finished with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists for Tennessee.

Santiago Vescovi did not play for the Vols due to illness..

Jahmai Mashack started for Tennessee and recorded four points, eight rebounds and two assists.

Baylor Scheirman scored a game-high 25 points for the Bluejays.

Vols defeat Saint Peter’s to open NCAA Tournament

Tennessee defeats Saint Peter’s to open NCAA Tournament.

No.  2 seed Tennessee (25-8, 14-4 SEC) defeated  No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s (19-14, 12-8 MAAC), 83-49, in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Vols led, 46-20, at halftime and never trailed in the contest.

The win ended Tennessee’s two-game losing streak. It was also Rick Barnes’ 200th victory as the Vols’ head coach.

Tennessee, one of eight SEC teams to make the NCAA Tournament, was the only team to win on Thursday. South Carolina, Mississippi State and Kentucky all lost.

Auburn, Florida, Texas A&M and Alabama will all play on Friday.

Dalton Knecht led the Vols with 23 points against Saint Peter’s. He also totaled eight rebounds and one assist, while Jonas Aidoo recorded 15 points, six rebounds, three blocks and one assist.

Zakai Zeigler recorded 11 points and 10 assists for Tennessee.

Latrell Reid led the Peacocks with 17 points.

Tennessee will next play Saturday against Texas in the second-round.

Mississippi State eliminates No. 1 seed Tennessee from SEC Tournament

Mississippi State eliminates No. 1 seed Tennessee from the SEC Tournament.

No. 9 seed Mississippi State (21-12) defeated No. 1 seed Tennessee (24-8), 73-56, Friday in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Bulldogs led, 38-19, at halftime, a season-low for first-half points this season.

Friday’s win is Mississippi State’s second against the Vols this season. The Bulldogs defeated Tennessee, 77-72, on Jan. 10 in Starkville, Mississippi.

Mississippi State led by as many as 23 points. Tennessee trailed, 60-48, after Zakai Zeigler converted a three-point attempt with five minutes remaining in the game.

Zeigler scored 20 points to lead Tennessee. Dalton Knecht scored 14 points and converted 4-of-17 field goal attempts.

Jahmai Mashack scored 10 points for the Vols, while Jonas Aidoo totaled five points and 10 rebounds.

Cameron Matthews recorded 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Bulldogs.

Zakai Zeigler earns SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors

Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler earns SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Tennessee junior guard Zakai Zeigler was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.

Zeigler also received First-Team All SEC honors. He averaged 1.9 steals per game during the regular-season and recorded multiple steals in 15 contests. Zeigler recorded four-plus steals seven times.

He was one of 15 players maned to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year watch list.

In addition to his defensive contributions, Zeigler averaged 11.6 points, a league-leading 6.0 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game during the regular-season.

In SEC competition, he averaged 14.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Zeigler led the league by averaging 7.0 assists per game.

Tennessee (24-7, 14-4 SEC) is the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament. The Vols will play Friday in the quarterfinals at 1 p.m. EDT at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kentucky defeats Vols in regular-season finale

Kentucky basketball defeats Tennessee in regular-season finale.

No. 13 Kentucky (23-8, 13-5 SEC) defeated Tennessee (24-7, 14-4 SEC), 85-81, Saturday at Food City Center in the regular-season finale for both schools.

The Wildcats led, 33-29, at halftime.

Saturday’s loss ended Tennessee’s seven-game win streak. Tennessee entered the contest as Southeastern Conference regular-season champions, while Kentucky was in a four-way tie for second place.

Dalton Knecht led all scorers with 40 points, a career high.

Zakai Zeigler totaled 17 points and nine assists for the Vols, while Jonas Aidoo finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.

The Wildcats led by as many as 14 points during the second half.

Antonio Reeves and Reed Sheppard each scored 27 points for Kentucky, while Justin Edwards finished with 16 points.

Vols take sole possession of first place in SEC after winning at Alabama

Tennessee takes sole possession of first place in the SEC after winning at Alabama.

No. 4 Tennessee (23-6, 13-3 SEC) defeated No. 13 Alabama (20-9, 12-4 SEC), 81-74, Saturday at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The Crimson Tide led, 41-39, at halftime.

Tennessee has sole possession of first place in the Southeastern Conference entering the final week of regular-season play.

Alabama missed 17 of its last 20 field goal attempts in the contest.

Zakai Zeigler totaled 18 points, including 13 after halftime. He was one of four Tennessee players to score 10-plus points in the contest. Zeigler also recorded four assists, one block and one steal.

Dalton Knecht totaled 13 points and five rebounds, while Jonas Aidoo had 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks for the Vols.

Josiah-Jordan James also recorded 11 points, 13 rebounds and three assists.

Alabama’s Mark Sears led all scorers with 22 points. He also finished with six assists.

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Rick Barnes records 800th win as a head coach

Rick Barnes records 800th win as a head coach.

No. 5 Tennessee (21-6, 11-3 SEC) defeated Texas A&M (15-12, 6-8 SEC), 86-51, Saturday at Food City Center.

The Vols led, 37-27, at halftime.

It was Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes’ 800th career victory as a head coach. The win also avenged an earlier loss to the Aggies this season. Barnes is the 15th coach in NCAA Division I history to win 800 games.

Dalton Knecht totaled 24 points and seven rebounds for the Vols, while Jonas Aidoo posted another solid performance, recording a double-double as he had 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Tobe Awaka finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Zakai Zeigler recorded nine points, 14 assists, nine rebounds and four steals, while not committing a turnover.

Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece Radford each scored 11 points to lead the Aggies.