Zakai Ziegler ignited a memorable 2nd half-comeback for Tennessee

The Tennessee Basketball Volunteers looked lost in the first half of their most recent outing. Vandy came into Knoxville as double-digit underdogs, but the Commodores held a 44-31 lead at the end of the first frame. Tennessee was being outhustled and outworked and looked disinterested in getting revenge for the heartbreaking loss they took in Nashville to the same Vanderbilt team four weeks ago. Tennessee was either going to show some heart in the 2nd half or they were going to be rightly accused of not having any pride. Luckily, the Vols finally woke up and put that notion to bed.

Zakai Ziegler was the man who got it started as early in the 2nd half he launched a ball into Vanderbilt forward Jaylen Carey’s chest after a whistle. Ziegler got a technical foul but so did Carey and it seemed to be the moment that jostled Ziegler and the rest of Tennessee’s team back into the game. Ziegler exploded for 22 points in the 2nd half and led the Vols to a memorable comeback win. Chaz Lanier poured in 21 points on 9-16 shooting. Jahmai Mashack did his thing on defense in the 2nd half and hit a clutch 3 in the corner on his way to a 9-point outing. Tennessee clearly can’t be accused of not caring after the rally they had in the 2nd half, and if they can find that fire here in a few weeks they will be a tough out for anyone who matches up with them in March.

Tennessee now has a week off to prepare for a 5-game finish to the conference slate that will determine their seeding for the NCAA tournament. go 4-1 or 5-0 and the Vols should be in a great position to secure their first-ever 1-seed. Go 3-2 or worse and they will likely be stuck with a familiar 2 or 3 seed. The final stretch starts on Saturday with a road game at Texas A&M and the Vols will need to be fully engaged to beat a highly-physical Aggies squad.