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'Even though he was a freshman he did not hold back' - Tony Vitello explains the moment he fell in love with Vols guard Zakai Zeigler
Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It's no secret that Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello is a big fan of Volunteers point guard Zakai Zeigler. 

Vitello has been spotted wearing a Zeigler jersey to Tennessee basketball games as well as routinely praising the New York native for his toughness. 

On Tuesday, during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's 3HL, Vitello briefly explained the origin of his love for Zeigler. 

"The first time I fell in love with that guy (Zeigler) is there's a certain Italian coach in the SEC that kind of got in his face during a little brew haha," said Vitello. "And even though he was a freshman, he did not hold back from old Mr. (John) Calipari."  

There was a famous squirmish between Zeigler and the Kentucky bench in his freshman season in 2022 that Vitello is likely referring to (that whole game was a bit chippy). 

Zeigler was a senior this past season, but there's hope that he could be awarded an extra year of eligibility. 

That will depend, however, on the outcome of a recent lawsuit filed by Zeigler against the NCAA. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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