Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

SEC Makes Tennessee Announcement This Week

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan D Adams | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 6:50 PM ET

The Tennessee Volunteers received some good news from the SEC ahead of March Madness. As the Vols prepared for the SEC Tournament, the conference recognized several members of the Tennessee men's basketball team.

All this comes ahead of March Madness as ESPN's Joe Lunardi's latest bracketology projects Tennessee will be a No. 2 seed in the East Region. The projections have the Vols facing the No. 15 seeded Robert Morris Colonials in the first round.

Tennessee is out to prove the team can be a legitimate title contender after having success competing against a grueling SEC schedule. Zakai Zeigler has been a major part of the Vols success this season.

The SEC announced on Monday that Zeigler was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. It is one of several honors Vols players received from the SEC.

2025 #SECMBB Defensive Player of the Year

Zakai Zeigler, @Vol_Hoops

https://t.co/iFHfdpXO8v pic.twitter.com/i0lkK6WUqn
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) March 10, 2025

Ziegler was also named to the All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Defensive Team. These honors add to Zeigler's growing resume which includes being a four-time member of the SEC All-Defense Team, three-time All-SEC player and marks the second time he has notched the Defensive Player of the Year honor.

back to back

for the second consecutive season, Zakai Zeigler has been named SEC Defensive Player of the Year

read more → https://t.co/FzyqVAlHQT pic.twitter.com/YZTAwlIv4g
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) March 10, 2025

Zeigler averaged a career-high 13.1 points, 7.5 assists, 3 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 31.9% from behind the 3-point line in 30 starts this season.

Additionally, Vols guard Chaz Lanier was named the SEC's Newcomer of the Year. Tennessee will find out their March Madness matchup this Selection Sunday on March 16 as the committee unveils the official NCAA Tournament bracket.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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