Can Zakai Zeigler Stay Consistent For Tennessee?
After ACL Surgery Last Season, Check Out The Zakai Zeigler Stats For The Vols
Zakai Zeigler
Zakai Zeigler
Tennessee Volunteers
5
21 Years Old (08/02/02)
5’9″
Bronx, NY. USA
Point Guard
On Saturday, in a massive matchup against Kentucky, the Volunteers added 103 points in a 103-92 win. Zeigler had 26 of those points after shooting 8-for-11 from the field. But he also earned 12 assists and nailed seven of ten foul shots in the game to help knock off No. 10 Kentucky.
However, Zeigler’s journey hasn’t always been easy. On February 28, 2023, he tore his ACL in a home game against Arkansas. It was a non- injury but ultimately hurt Tennessee’s chances in the NCAA Tournament that year.
Tennessee was upset by Florida Atlantic in the Sweet 16 in last year’s March Madness Tournament. Tennessee would’ve fared better with their point guard.
They’ve got their point guard now. As a top-five team in the nation, Zeigler could ultimately be the point guard of a No. 1 seed in the NCAAB Tournament this year.
Below, we’ll take a look at the Zakai Zeigler stats for his career and this season to see his improvement in his junior season.
Zeigler’s Development
Zakai Zeigler played his first NCAAB season in 2021-2022. He averaged 22.1 minutes but came off the bench. He played 35 games but only started once. Yet, he scored 8.8 points as a freshman with 1.7 steals and 2.7 assists.
He was good enough in his freshman year to earn some starts in 2022-2023. He started in 15 of the 30 games that he played in, where he scored 10.7 points per game. More importantly, he added 5.4 assists and two steals per game.
This season, his shooting percentage is above 40% for the first time. He’s also added 5.4 assists again this year and has scored 10.5 points per game.
Rick Barnes Wants More From Zeigler
Before the game against Kentucky, Zeigler delivered two points with three assists and one rebound in a 63-59 loss to South Carolina.
Zeigler was 0-for-6 from the field and missed all of his three-pointers in 32 minutes.
His head coach, Rick Barnes, wasn’t pleased with those stats and emphatically asked for more from Zeigler.
Barnes told Zeigler that he needed to change his demeanor.
Once Zeigler listened, he put together the best game of his college career in a massive top-ten matchup against Kentucky.
Zakai Zeigler Stats & Player Profile
Through 86 games and 31 starts, here’s a look at the Zakai Zeigler Stats for his career.
| Zakai Zeigler | CAREER Stats |
|---|---|
| GP | 86 |
| GS | 31 |
| FG% | 38.4% |
| 3PT% | 33.1% |
| FT% | 80.4% |
| REB | 2.3 |
| AST | 4.3 |
| STL | 1.8 |
| PTS | 9.9 |
Now look at Zeigler’s stats in his junior season.
| Zakai Zeigler | 2023-’24 Stats |
|---|---|
| GP | 21 |
| GS | 15 |
| FG% | 40.5% |
| 3P% | 33.6% |
| FT% | 71.4% |
| REB | 2.3 |
| AST | 5.4 |
| STL | 1.7 |
| PTS | 10.5 |
Can Zeigler Carry Momentum Into The Rest of the Season?
Zakai Zeigler has shot just 40.5% from the field this season. However, against Kentucky, he nailed 72.7% from the field and dished out 13 assists.
This wasn’t the first time he’d scored 26 or more points this season. It also wasn’t the first time he’s added ten or more assists.
But these numbers don’t always show up on the box score consistently.
His head coach, Rick Barnes, believes they should.
Zeigler has become a better vocal leader over the last couple of days, per Josiah-Jordan James, the Tennessee senior, who talked to the media after the win.
James acknowledged they’ll need Zeigler moving forward and said they need him to get other guys to step up. He also wants to see Zeigler hold everyone able.
Meanwhile, Barnes was transparent with the media and his players. He believes the team is excellent when Zeigler is the one driving the car.
If guys aren’t doing what they’re supposed to, Barnes will let them know. If a player takes criticism to heart, they’re probably not mentally able to handle SEC basketball in the first place.
Zeigler was asked about Barnes’ comments and agreed that he took it on the chin and found ways to improve. The Long Island, New York native likes that Barnes trusts him as a junior to get the older guys to buy in and keep everything under control.
Zeigler even said that the team is very close off the court. That’s another way everyone has gained trust from each other.
The Volunteers haven’t had trouble winning games this year. They’re 16-5 and one of the best college basketball teams in the nation. But they can be so much better if Zeigler gives consistent minutes at point guard.
On the road, against Kentucky, he anchored the team to more than 100 points.
That should help build Zeigler’s confidence in himself more than anything else.
For Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
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