The Tennessee Volunteers have had quite the season so far in 2024. At 21-6 overall and 11-3 in the SEC, which is tops in the conference, the Vols have positioned themselves well for a shot at a conference championship and perhaps far more.
There have been plenty of individuals responsible for that turnaround. Dalton Knecht is a game-changing scorer the likes of which Tennessee hasn't perhaps ever had. Jonas Aidoo has become a force in the paint on the offensive end to go with his established job as a rim protector on the other.
But it's Zakai Zeigler who's been as important as anyone on the roster this year. And that's because Zeigler has simply done it all when he's been on the court.
According to FANRUN Radio's "Overtime" co-host Jordan Moore, Zeigler stands alone in the country in a number of combined statistical categories.
That stat line since the beginning of conference play shows the depth of Zeigler's value to the Vols. He's been great when he does shoot, and he's been perhaps even better when he's getting the ball to others to put it in the basket. Against Kentucky, Zeigler had 13 assists with two turnovers. Against Texas A&M he had 14 with no turnovers. Those were perhaps Tennessee's two best overall team performances of the season.
Oh, and he has a knack for reading plays before they happen, swiping the ball, and creating scoring chances, as fans saw on Saturday night.
If Zeigler can keep up this level of play during the Vols' daunting final two weeks - they face four teams in the AP top 20 - they have a chance to notch some more resume-building wins and perhaps claim their first ever one seed in the NCAA tournament.
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