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Fast Break: Tennessee #2 in the midwest region

On3 imageby: Brent Hubbs03/16/25Brent_Hubbs
Tennessee basketball fast break

Nashville — Tennessee came up short of an SEC Tournament championship on Sunday falling to the Florida Gators 86-77, but are a two seed in the midwest region playing Thursday against Wofford in Lexington, Kentucky.

For Tennessee it’s back to back two seeds for Rick Barnes’ program and that’s seven trips to the tournament in the last eight seasons. Tennessee has been a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament four times: 2006, 2008, 2019 and 2024. The Vols went to the Elite Eight last season, went to the Sweet 16 in 2019 and 2008 and lost in the second round in 2006.

Sunday, Tennessee trailed by nine at the half and while they cut the lead to five on three different occasions, the Vols couldn’t get any closer as Florida’s Walter Clayton had an answer every time. In the three occasions the Vols cut it to five, Clayton made 2-three pointers and had two free throws as the immediate answer. 

Florida also controlled the glass out rebounding the Vols by 15. The Gators had a 15-5 edge in offensive rebounds. 

Jordan Gainey led Tennessee with 24 points. Zakai Zeigler had 23 points and 8 assists. Zeigler was 4 of 7 from the three point line. The rest of the Vols were 4 of 19 from beyond the arc. 

Chaz Lanier, who fouled out with just over 4 minutes to play, had 11 points. As a team, Tennessee shot 45% from the field including 52% in the second half. But the Vols couldn’t get enough stops. The Gators 86 points are the most given up by by the Vols this year. Missouri is the only other team to hit the 80 point plateau as they scored 81 in their loss in Knoxville. 

For more on Tennessee’s tournament draw and loss in Music City, Rob Lewis and Grant Ramey have the Fast Break.

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