Zakai Zeigler says he had a 'good feel' against Texas
Tennessee handled business in their last remaining non-conference game of the season versus Texas, defeating the Longhorns 82-71 in their SEC/Big 12 Challenge game. Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler had an impressive performance vs Texas both scoring and distributing the basketball and explained after the game what led to his string showing.
“Honestly I would just say it was a good feel for the game because I didn’t know that’s what the box score said until after the game, someone came up to me and said it,” Zeigler said.
Zeigler ended the game with 22 points and 10 assists, securing his third double-double of the season. He’s Tennessee’s assist leader averaging 5.1 per game, which also ranks second in the SEC, but in his last three games has gone on a distributing tear averaging 9 per game.
“But I would just say it was a good feel for the game and knowing just to take my open shots and hit the open guy pretty much, but I would really say just a feel for the game,” Zeigler said.
Zeigler had 10 of Tennessee’s 19 assists on the night, helping lead a strong offensive performance for the Volunteers. Tennessee shot an impressive 55.6% from the field Saturday and led by as many as 22 points during the contest. Four of the Vol’s five starters scored in double figures, led by a 27-point performance from Olivier Nkamhouda who achieved a new career high versus the Longhorns.
Safe to say Zakai Zeigler enjoyed himself quite a bit vs Texas.
Tennessee has won four straight games since their upset loss to Kentucky and will pivot back to conference play as they take on Florida at The Swamp on Wednesday in a game airing on ESPN2 at 7:00 p.m.
WATCH: Tennessee basketball celebrates 82-71 victory over Texas by flashing Horns down sign
The Tennessee basketball program (18-3 overall) is scorching hot yet again this season and they took care of business on Saturday in a showdown with the Texas Longhorns, soundly defeating them 82-71. Four different Volunteers scored in double figures in the victory. Tennessee got 49 combined points from the likes of Zakai Zeigler (22 points) and Olivier Nkhamhoua (27 points) vs Texas Following the win, the Volunteers players decided to celebrate on the court by flashing the ‘Horns down sign in a group photo.
Check it out.
The Volunteers were up 40-28 after the first half and they wouldn’t come close to relinquishing that lead in the second half, winning by 11 points. Texas guard Marcus Carr did not have his best showing, scoring 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field. He also chipped in four rebounds and three assists. Texas’ leading scorer was Sir’Jabari Rice, who pumped in 21 points in 31 minutes of work.